The Norse Myths that Shape the Way We Think

Description

A fresh look at the stories at the heart of Norse mythology, exploring their cultural impact right up to the present day. The heroes and villains of Norse mythology have endured for centuries, infiltrating art, opera, film, television and books, shape-shifting - like the trickster Loki - to suit the cultures that encountered them. Through careful analysis of the literature and archaeology of the Norse world, Carolyne Larrington takes us deep into the realm described in the Icelandic sagas, from the gloomy halls of Hel to the dazzling heights of Asgard. She expertly examines the myths' many modern-day reimaginings, revealing the guises that have been worn by the figures of Norse myth, including Marvel's muscled, golden-haired Thor and George R.R Martin's White Walkers, who march inexorably southwards, bringing their eternal winter with them. This sophisticated yet accessible guide explores how these powerful stories have inspired our cultural landscape, from fuelling the creative genius of Wagner to the construction of the Nazi's nationalist ideology. Larrington's elegantly written retellings capture the essence of the original myths while also delving into the history of their meanings. The myths continue to speak to such modern concerns as masculinity and environmental disaster - after the inevitable, apocalyptic ragna roek, renewal comes from the roots of Yggdrasill, the World Tree.

Carolyne Larrington is Professor of Medieval European Literature at the University of Oxford. Her previous books include The Norse Myths, The Poetic Edda and All Men Must Die: Power and Passion in Game of Thrones.

'A marvellous book, erudite and well-written, proving once more how relevant Norse myth remains to the modern reader' - Joanne Harris, author of 'The Gospel of Loki' and 'Chocolat' 'We've all heard of the Norse myths, but here Carolyne Larrington takes us deeper to explore their influence on myths of our own - the stories and stereotypes that have built up around the people arguably known as the Vikings. Urgently corrective, occasionally controversial, but always insightful and entertaining, one could not hope for a better guide' - Professor Neil Price, author of 'The Children of Ash and Elm'