How Thor got his hammer - Scott A. Mellor

TED-Ed2 minutes read

Loki instigates a competition between two families of dwarves to create gifts for the gods, with the stakes being his head. The sons of Ivaldi and Brokk and Eitri craft various treasures, ultimately leading to Loki's punishment by having his mouth sewn shut with an awl.

Insights

  • Loki instigates a competition between the sons of Ivaldi and Brokk and Eitri to create gifts for the gods, resulting in the crafting of significant treasures like golden hair for Sif, the iconic hammer Mjolnir, and more, showcasing the power of creativity and craftsmanship in Norse mythology.
  • The dwarves' punishment of sewing Loki's mouth shut with an awl highlights the poetic justice of Loki's deceitful actions leading to the creation of valuable treasures, emphasizing the theme of consequences and the interconnectedness of actions and outcomes in mythological narratives.

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Recent questions

  • Who is Loki in Norse mythology?

    Trickster god known for causing mischief.

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Summary

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Loki's Mischief Leads to Divine Treasures

  • Loki, after causing mischief by cutting off Sif's hair, seeks the help of the dwarves to fix his mistake. He pits two families of dwarves against each other in a competition to create gifts for the gods, with the stakes being Loki's head.
  • The sons of Ivaldi and Brokk and Eitri compete to create treasures for the gods. The sons of Ivaldi successfully create golden hair for Sif, a spear for Odin, and a ship for Freyr. Brokk and Eitri forge a golden-bristled boar, a golden arm ring, and the iconic hammer Mjolnir for the gods.
  • Despite Loki's attempt to escape, he is caught by Thor. The dwarves, unable to cut off Loki's head due to a technicality, sew his mouth shut with an awl, acknowledging the irony that Loki's deceit led to the creation of valuable treasures for the gods.
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