Thor
Norse Myth V. S Marvel’s Although the most recent movie Thor was very good, it was not accurate at all. In Norse mythology, Thor is associated with a hammer, lightning, storms, oak trees, strength, the protection of mankind, and also hallowing, healing, and fertility. Besides the movie not being accurate there are many differences between Norse mythology and Marvel Comics. In Norse mythology he has his red hair and a red beard. Marvel’s Thor has long; flowing golden locks, and is typically clean-shaven.
While the Norse Thor prefers to travel in style, the Norse myth travels with his chariot drawn by two magic goats Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjostr. In the movie, Thor was about to ascend to the throne of Asgard, and is tricked by his brother Loki to defy their father Odin. Against Odin’s order, Thor travels to Jotunheim to confront Laufey, accompanied by his brother Loki, childhood friend Sif and The Warriors Three; Volstagg, Fandral and Hogun. A battle continues until Odin intervenes to save the Asgardians, destroying the fragile truce between the two races.
A big difference between the myths is that the Asgardians, The Warriors Three, really have no place in Norse myth, and wound up a part of the Marvel myths essentially because they thought it would make the story better. For Thor’s arrogance, Odin strips his son of his power and exiles him to Earth to live as a mortal. Odin, fearing the plotting of his manipulative son Loki, sends down Thor’s hammer Mjollnir affixed with a command that only the man worthy of the throne of Asgard can lift it. Thor must learn wisdom and sacrifice before he can return to his rightful place.
In the movie the Mjollnir is one of the few things that are true. He wears a belt that gives him strength, gloves of iron that enable him to handle his hammer. Marvel’s Thor has raw power but the Norse myth indicates that Thor needed a magical belt and gloves to give him the strength to use Mjollnir to its full effect. In Marvel’s version Thor only occasionally used those items as strength-boosters. The losing of Thor’s hammer happens in both Marvel and Norse myth. In the movie the hammer is stuck in a rock and the only way to release it is when a man becomes worthy of the throne of Asgard.
In Norse myth Thor discovers Trym had stolen his hammer. Trym had hidden the hammer eight stops under the ground. Trym stated he would return the hammer, if he could have the goddess Freyja for his bride. While on Earth, Thor meets the scientist Jane Foster. Against all logic and self-preservation Foster believes Thor when he claims he’s a god who has been exiled to Earth. Over the course of the next two days the two fall in love. As they learn of the hammer in a field they set out to get it. Another true thing when comparing both Thor’s is that he is ladies’ man.
In the movie Thor falls for the mortal nurse Jane Foster and in the Norse myth the Asgardian goddess Sif. A difference in his love life is that Thor in Marvel’s story had children in alternate futures, whereas the Norse Thor is the proud of at least three children from his various affairs when married to Sif. Thor’s Asgardian friends eventually find their way down to Earth to help him fight off a big metal beast called The Destroyer. He has been ordered to destroy Thor at all costs. Thor’s love for Jane and his lessons of humility gives him the power to pull the hammer out.
He becomes an immortal warrior and defender of the people saving them from destruction. Thor saves the day in the end but destroys the only known way to travel to the mortal world leaving his love behind. In both Marvel and Norse myth, Asgard is connected to Earth by a bridge called Bifrost, which manifests as multicolored arc in the sky. Their last differences extend to their personalities; Marvel’s Thor is a noble hero any of us would feel safe around; the Thor of Norse myth is a fierce warrior with a violent temper, who seems to revel in the slaughter of any who would challenge him.
