Norse mythological influences on later literature

Norse mythology provides a rich and diverse source which many later writers have borrowed from or built upon. The most well-known example is probably "The Lord of the Rings" by J. R. R. Tolkien, although he was by no means the first writer to draw on this source.

Literature

The Victorian adventure writer H. Rider Haggard wrote an epic adventure in the style of the Nordic sagas, "Eric Brighteyes". The children's writer Alan Garner borrowed many Norse concepts, such as the tale of Freyja's necklace Brisingamen and the hard winter (Fimbulwinter) which portends the end of the world, Ragnarok in his classic story, The Weirdstone of Brisingamen. The Book of the Dun Cow combines Norse legends with biblical themes. The Ballad of the White Horse includes references to Norse gods although they are portrayed in a negative light. The ballad portrays Catholicism as the true religion and the Norse religion as pagan.

Other writers who tangibly draw on the Nordic pantheon include L. Sprague de Camp, David Lindsay, C. S. Lewis, Lord Dunsany, J. R. R. Tolkien, Douglas Adams and most recently, J. K. Rowling.

Comics

During the 1960s, Marvel Comics writer/artist team Stan Lee and Jack Kirby introduced Thor as a comic book superhero. The character was very popular, and he remains a foundation of the "Marvel Universe" today. Walt Simonson's tenure on the series during the middle-to-late 1980s is considered its high point by many fans, as Simonson drew heavily on the Norse myths for inspiration. The graphic novelist Alan Moore is also thematically influenced by Norse mythology.

Neil Gaiman's novel "American Gods" touches extensively on the Norse mythos (amongst others). One of the central characters is called Wednesday and is subsequently revealed as the god Odin; Loki (nick-named Low-Key) is also depicted in this novel. The Æsir gods are also figures in Gaiman's graphic novel series The Sandman, most notably in the Season of Mists and The Kindly Ones story-lines. Jeff Smith's graphic novel "Bone" draws heavily on Norse mythology, including the use of dragons.

The graphic novel manga series "Ragnarok", by Myung-Jin Lee, is based on Norse mythology and the events of Ragnarok, the prophesied fall of the gods. The Norse Pantheon heroes are also the main characters of Japanese anime Matantei Loki Ragnarok.

Kosuke Fujishima's manga "Oh My Goddess" also draws heavily on Norse mythology. In this the three Norns Urd, Verdandi and Skuld become three sister goddesses Urd, Belldandy and Skuld who come to earth and live with the rather bemused Keiichi Morisato. The Norse World Tree Yggdrasil is a heavenly computer system while other elements such as the Valkyries, Odin's eight-legged horse Sleipnir and the wolf Fenrir also appear in the story.

Film/Television

Episodes of "Doctor Who" (principally "The Curse of Fenric") have also referenced the Norse twilight of the gods.

Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis constantly draw upon Norse mythology, although the shows depict Norse gods as actually being an advanced alien race.

ee also

*Norse mythology in popular culture
*Viking revival