The Messed Up Origins of RAGNAROK | Norse Mythology Explained

Jon Solo・2 minutes read

Humans are captivated by stories of the world's end, with the Norse apocalypse, Ragnarok, being a significant and dramatic tale depicted in various forms. The game God of War Ragnarok explores the events of Ragnarok, diverging from the original myth with new characters and twists, leading to the potential emergence of a greater god in a new era.

Insights

  • Humans are captivated by stories of the world's end, envisioning various catastrophic scenarios like AI uprisings, diseases, alien attacks, nuclear devastation, ape uprisings, climate disasters, and lunar calamities.
  • The Norse apocalypse, Ragnarok, is a prominent tale depicted in popular media like Netflix series and the MCU, with God of War Ragnarok offering a unique portrayal where the death of Balder triggers the catastrophic event, leading to chaos and devastation across realms, ultimately culminating in the destruction of the world as prophesied.

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Recent questions

  • What triggers Ragnarok in Norse mythology?

    The death of Balder, Odin's son.

  • How does God of War Ragnarok depict Fimble Winter across realms?

    Differently, showing desolation in Midgard but warmth in other realms.

  • Who are the key figures involved in the final battle of Ragnarok?

    Various mythological figures like Fenrir, Jormungandr, and Surtur.

  • How does the myth of Ragnarok conclude in Norse mythology?

    With the destruction of Yggdrasil and the world.

  • What role do humans play in the aftermath of Ragnarok?

    Repopulating the Earth and building a new city.

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Summary

00:00

"God of War Ragnarok: Norse Apocalypse"

  • Humans are fascinated by stories of the world's end, attributing it to various causes like AI revolutions, diseases, alien invasions, nuclear bombs, ape armies, climate change, and even the Moon.
  • The Norse apocalypse, Ragnarok, is considered the most epic end-of-the-world story, depicted in various forms like Netflix's series and the MCU, with a notable reimagining in God of War Ragnarok.
  • Ragnarok is preceded by Fimble Winter, a time of extreme suffering with endless snow, severe frost, and darkness, leading to chaos and violence among humans.
  • In God of War Ragnarok, the trigger for Ragnarok is the death of Balder, Odin's son, which breaks a protection spell, allowing pain and chaos to ensue.
  • The game portrays the effects of Fimble Winter differently across realms, showing desolation in Midgard but warmth and earthquakes in other realms like Svartalfheim.
  • The lead-up to Ragnarok involves key events like the birth of Fenrir's wolf children, the blocking of the Sun and Moon, and the crowing of roosters signaling the end.
  • The game deviates slightly from the myth by showing an eclipse instead of the Sun being devoured, and Kratos blowing the Gjallarhorn to unite the realms for battle against Asgard.
  • The final battle in the game takes place on Asgard's doorstep, involving various mythological figures like Fenrir, Jormungandr, and the undead army from Hel.
  • The battle includes forces from different directions, led by giants, Hel's army, Loki's children, and the fire giant Surtur, who burns Yggdrasil, dooming the nine realms.
  • Odin, Thor, and other Aesir, along with Valkyries and Einherjar, engage in battle, culminating in the destruction of Yggdrasil and the world as foretold in the Norse myth of Ragnarok.

14:42

"Ragnarok: Gods Battle, Earth Reborn"

  • Thor and yman Gonder confront each other, engaging in a fierce battle where Thor uses his hammer to strike the world Serpent's skull.
  • yman Gonder surprises Thor by vomiting out venom, causing Thor to melt into the Earth.
  • In God of War, Thor has an epic fight with yman Gonder, sending him back in time, but is later defeated by kattos and killed by his own father.
  • Odin faces Fenrir alone and is swallowed by him, but viar kills Fenrir by breaking his jaw and stabbing him in the heart.
  • In the game, Odin's soul is trapped by atraeus in a vessel destroyed by cnry, seeking revenge for his brother's death.
  • The battle continues in the myth after Odin's death, with garm and Loki killing each other, and fr being killed by certer.
  • The world is consumed by fire and water after Thor's battle with yman Gonder, but it will rise again after the Flames of certer are extinguished.
  • Humans named leaf and leaf ther will repopulate the Earth after the apocalypse, with some gods surviving to build a new city in eaver.
  • The dragon Neath hog flies down with corpses in its wings, symbolizing the rebirth of evil in the new world.
  • The game's interpretation of Ragnarok differs from the myth due to Odin's false prophecy and the actions of Kratos and atraeus, leading to a new era with potential for a greater god to emerge.
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