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Hay Festival 2017: Neil Gaiman and Stephen Fry - Myth Makers

Alexei Yurenko・47 minutes read

Neil Gaiman reimagines Norse myths for children with a child-friendly voice, emphasizing the unique aspects of Norse mythology over Greek myths. The story of Fenrir and the unbreakable chain, Gleipnir, illustrates the gods' cunning victory and the impending doom in Norse mythology.

Insights

  • Neil Gaiman's book on Norse myths was inspired by his childhood fascination and aimed to maintain a child-friendly voice, letting the stories speak for themselves without excessive explanation.
  • The story of Fenrir, the wolf bound by the unbreakable chain Gleipnir, symbolizes the gods' fear of his power and foreshadows his significant role in Ragnarok, illustrating Norse mythology's darker and more foreboding nature compared to Greek myths.

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  • What is Norse mythology?

    Norse myths retold for children by Neil Gaiman.

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Summary

00:00

Neil Gaiman's Norse Myth Retelling for Children

  • Neil Gaiman's book is a retelling of Norse myths, inspired by his childhood fascination with them.
  • The book's genesis began in 2008 when an editor suggested Gaiman retell Norse myths for children.
  • Gaiman focused on maintaining a child-friendly voice and letting the stories speak for themselves without over-explanation.
  • An example of this approach is seen in the story of Loki's flighting, where Gaiman chose to summarize rather than detail every insult.
  • Loki, a complex character in Norse mythology, often gets others into trouble due to his intelligence but must then find solutions.
  • A story involving Loki making a giantess laugh showcases the Norse culture's value of life and unique sense of humor.
  • Gaiman highlights the differences between Norse and Greek mythology, emphasizing the former's harsher, less idealized world.
  • An excerpt from Gaiman's book describes the gods' attempts to bind Fenrir, a wolf with prophesied significance in Norse mythology.
  • The gods craft unbreakable chains, Gleipnir, to bind Fenrir, testing his strength and foretelling his future role in Ragnarok.
  • The story of Fenrir illustrates the gods' fear of his power and the impending doom he represents in Norse mythology.

17:48

Binding Fenrir: The Unbreakable Chain's Triumph

  • The Great Wolf, Fenrir, was bound by chains that initially held him, but he eventually broke free with immense force, causing the gods to retreat.
  • Odin, the god, sought a solution to bind Fenrir securely and sent a light elf named Skirnir to the dwarfs for a unique chain creation.
  • The dwarfs gathered specific ingredients for the chain, including a cat's footsteps, a woman's beard, a mountain's roots, a bear's sinews, a fish's breath, and a bird's spittle.
  • The dwarfs crafted the chain, named Gleipnir, which appeared as a silken ribbon, almost weightless and transparent, and brought it to Asgard.
  • The gods, including Odin, presented Gleipnir to Fenrir, claiming it to be unbreakable, challenging him to prove his strength.
  • Fenrir, initially skeptical of the ribbon's strength, agreed to be bound by it only if a god placed their hand in his mouth as a sign of trust.
  • Tyr, Odin's son, bravely offered his hand, which Fenrir gently held, allowing the gods to bind him with Gleipnir securely.
  • Despite Fenrir's struggles, the ribbon held firm, proving its strength, while the gods laughed at the wolf's failed attempts to break free.
  • In a final act of betrayal, the gods drove a stone through Fenrir's lower jaw, preventing him from closing his mouth, leaving him bound and defeated.
  • Tear, who had placed his hand in Fenrir's mouth, silently endured the pain, while the gods celebrated their cunning victory, leaving Fenrir bound and alone.

34:38

"Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythology Retellings"

  • Apollo played the first notes of his lyre, evoking universal love and joy, but a lone voice challenged that Pan's pipes produced better music.
  • Despite the daring dissent, Apollo did not harm the challenger but revealed donkey ears on his head, causing humiliation and exile.
  • The barber who discovered Midas' secret of donkey ears kept it hidden for three years, benefiting from a generous salary and pension.
  • The barber, burdened by the secret, released it by whispering into a hole, leading to the spread of the news of Midas' donkey ears.
  • Midas, hearing the news, chose to end his life rather than face the humiliation, drinking a poisonous draught and dying.
  • Neil Gaiman discusses his approach to Norse mythology, focusing on the Prose Edda and Poetic Edda for his retellings in "American Gods."
  • Gaiman highlights the story of Arachne and Athena, showcasing the variations in myths and the evolution of storytelling over time.
  • Gaiman delves into the complexity of identifying with Norse gods, expressing a fondness for Kvasir, a lesser-known god in his book.
  • Gaiman reflects on the hypothetical question of facing a traditional omnipotent God, expressing a desire to hold such a deity accountable for suffering.
  • Gaiman humorously contemplates shaking his fist at Zeus, drawing parallels between modern skepticism and ancient Greek attitudes towards the gods.

51:25

Neil Gaiman's Writing Power and Projects

  • Neil Gaiman contemplates future projects, torn between exploring Assyrians and Fertile Crescent or delving into Welsh and Celtic mythology.
  • He reflects on feeling godlike while writing, particularly when creating Doctor Who scripts or making Batman speak in comics.
  • Gaiman discusses the power of writing stage directions, mentioning a humorous incident with a props person regarding a fancy desk.
  • A competition among screenwriters for the shortest and most expensive stage direction is highlighted, showcasing the sense of power in writing.
  • The text concludes with Neil Gaiman's wife, Amanda, praising his feminist stance and reading a poem he wrote about the origins of science and the role of women in it.
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