How Thor got his hammer - Scott A. Mellor

Summary

In Norse mythology, Loki, the trickster god, plays a prank on Thor by cutting Sif's golden hair. To remedy his mischief, he challenges two groups of dwarven smiths to craft treasures for the gods. Despite Loki's interference, the dwarves forge magnificent gifts, including a golden hairpiece for Sif, a ship-cloak for Freyr, and the mighty hammer Mjolnir for Thor. Loki's trickery backfires when he is outwitted by the dwarves, leading to his punishment and the gods receiving their prized possessions.

Takeaways

• 😈 Loki, the mischief-maker, played a prank on Thor's wife Sif by cutting off her hair.
• 🔩 To remedy his actions, Loki sought the help of dwarven blacksmiths to craft a replacement for Sif's hair.
• ⛏️ Loki manipulated two families of dwarves, the sons of Ivaldi and Brokk and Eitri, into a competition to create treasures for the gods.
• 🐝 A fly, actually Loki in disguise, interfered with Brokk and Eitri's work, causing a flaw in their final treasure.
• 🏆 Despite the interference, Brokk and Eitri created three magnificent treasures: a golden boar, a ring that multiplies, and the hammer Mjolnir.
• 🌟 The sons of Ivaldi also crafted three treasures: golden hair for Sif, a spear for Odin, and a ship that could be folded into a cloth for Freyr.
• 🔨 Mjolnir, though having a short handle, was deemed the finest gift due to its incredible powers, including returning to Thor's hand when thrown.
• 🏃 Loki attempted to escape after the treasures were presented, but Thor caught him.
• 🗣️ Loki cleverly argued that the dwarves could take his head but not his neck, thus avoiding beheading.
• 📍 As punishment, Brokk sewed Loki's lips shut to prevent further deceit, highlighting the irony that Loki's trickery led to the gods receiving such valuable gifts.

Q & A

Why was Loki in Thor's iron grip?

Loki was in Thor's iron grip because he had snuck up on Thor's wife, Sif, and shorn off her beautiful hair as a prank, which angered Thor.

What did Loki decide to do to fix the prank he played on Sif?

Loki decided to go to the dwarves, legendary smiths, to create a replacement for Sif's golden hair.

How did Loki plan to get the dwarves to create the golden hair?

Loki planned to pit two families of dwarves against each other by challenging them to a competition to create three gifts for the gods.

What was the condition Brokk and Eitri set for participating in the competition?

Brokk and Eitri agreed to participate only if Loki put his own head on the line, meaning they could take his head if they won.

What did the fly do to Brokk during the creation of the treasures?

The fly bit Brokk on his hand, neck, and eyelid, causing him to momentarily stop working the bellows, which affected the final treasure's quality.

What were the three treasures created by the sons of Ivaldi for the gods?

The sons of Ivaldi created golden hair for Sif, a spear for Odin, and a small cloth that unfolded into a mighty ship for Freyr.

What were the three treasures created by Brokk and Eitri?

Brokk and Eitri created a golden-bristled boar for Freyr, a golden arm ring for Odin, and a hammer called Mjolnir for Thor.

What was the significance of Mjolnir, the hammer created by Brokk and Eitri?

Mjolnir was significant because it could never shatter, never miss its mark, and always return to Thor's hand when thrown.

How did Loki avoid losing his head after Brokk and Eitri won the competition?

Loki pointed out that they had won the rights to his head but not his neck, so they had no right to cut it off.

What was the final punishment Brokk gave to Loki?

Brokk pierced Loki's lips with an awl and sewed his mouth shut to prevent him from spreading deceit.

What is the irony mentioned at the end of the script?

The irony is that Loki's deceit led to the creation of the treasures, including Thor's hammer Mjolnir, which became one of the most valued possessions of the gods.

Outlines

00:00

😈 Loki's Prank and the Dwarves' Challenge

Loki, the mischief-maker, finds himself in trouble after cutting off Sif's hair as a prank. Realizing the gravity of his actions, he seeks the help of the dwarves, legendary smiths capable of crafting anything. To manipulate them into helping him, Loki pits two families of dwarves against each other by challenging them to create gifts for the gods. He visits the sons of Ivaldi first, telling them that Brokk and Eitri, their rivals, have claimed to be superior craftsmen and are willing to prove it in a competition. The competition's rules require each family to create three divine gifts, one of which is golden hair for Sif. Loki then visits Brokk and Eitri, challenging them in the same manner but with the condition that if they win, they can take Loki's head. Despite their suspicions, they agree, and the competition begins.

Keywords

💡Loki

Loki is a central figure in Norse mythology, known as the god of mischief. In the script, Loki's actions set the story in motion, as he cuts off Sif's hair, leading to a series of events that result in the creation of various treasures. His character embodies the theme of trickery and cunning, which is a driving force in the narrative.

💡Thor

Thor is the Norse god of thunder and a prominent character in the script. His reaction to Loki's prank on Sif showcases his protective nature and his role as a powerful figure among the gods. Thor's iron grip on Loki and his subsequent actions to retrieve the treasures highlight his importance in the story.

💡Sif

Sif is Thor's wife in Norse mythology, and her hair is a symbol of her beauty. In the script, Loki's prank of cutting off her hair is the catalyst for the story's events. The restoration of her hair through the dwarves' craftsmanship not only restores her beauty but also serves as a symbol of redemption and the power of craftsmanship.

💡Dwarves

In Norse mythology, dwarves are skilled craftsmen who create treasures for the gods. The script features two families of dwarves, the sons of Ivaldi and Brokk and Eitri, who compete to create the most impressive gifts. Their craftsmanship is central to the narrative, as it leads to the creation of the treasures that resolve Loki's mischief.

💡Mjolnir

Mjolnir is Thor's iconic hammer, known for its ability to fly back to his hand and its indestructible nature. In the script, it is one of the treasures created by Brokk and Eitri. Despite its short handle, Mjolnir's powers make it the most prized gift, symbolizing the theme of unexpected value and the power of the gods.

💡Prank

A prank is a mischievous act intended to cause laughter or confusion. Loki's prank on Sif by cutting her hair is the initial event that drives the story. It illustrates Loki's character and sets the stage for the ensuing quest to remedy his actions, highlighting the consequences of mischief.

💡Redemption

Redemption is the act of making up for one's wrongdoings. In the script, Loki seeks redemption for his prank by attempting to replace Sif's hair. The dwarves' creations, particularly the golden hair for Sif, represent the theme of redemption, as they restore what was lost and bring about a positive outcome.

💡Craftsmanship

Craftsmanship refers to the skill and excellence in making things by hand. The script emphasizes the craftsmanship of the dwarves, who create treasures that are not only beautiful but also possess magical properties. Their workmanship is a central theme, showcasing the value of skill and artistry.

💡Treasures

Treasures in the script are the magical gifts created by the dwarves for the gods. Each treasure has a unique power and serves a specific purpose, such as the golden hair for Sif, the spear for Odin, and Mjolnir for Thor. The treasures symbolize the gods' power and the dwarves' craftsmanship.

💡Deception

Deception is the practice of misleading others, which is a key aspect of Loki's character. In the script, Loki uses deception to pit the dwarves against each other, promising them a competition they did not initially agree to. His deceitful nature is a recurring theme and a driving force behind the story's events.

💡Punishment

Punishment is the act of imposing a penalty or suffering for wrongdoing. In the script, Loki's punishment for his prank is the potential loss of his head. However, his cunning allows him to avoid this fate by pointing out a loophole. The theme of punishment is explored through Loki's actions and their consequences.

Highlights

Loki, in Thor's grip, regrets his prank on Sif and seeks a way to fix it.

Loki decides to enlist the dwarves, legendary smiths, to replace Sif's hair.

Loki schemes to pit two families of dwarves against each other to ensure the best craftsmanship.

The sons of Ivaldi are challenged by Loki to create golden hair for Sif.

Brokk and Eitri, wary of Loki's tricks, only agree to compete if Loki risks his own head.

Eitri and Brokk begin their work, with Brokk enduring a fly's torment to maintain the forge.

The fly, actually Loki in disguise, disrupts the dwarves' work by biting Brokk, causing a flaw in their final treasure.

Loki presents the treasures from the sons of Ivaldi, including golden hair that grows and a spear for Odin.

Brokk and Eitri present their treasures: a golden-bristled boar, a ring that multiplies, and Mjolnir, the hammer for Thor.

Despite the short handle on Mjolnir, its magical properties are revealed to be superior.

Loki attempts to flee after the treasures are presented, but Thor catches him.

Loki cleverly argues that the dwarves can't take his head without also taking his neck.

Brokk sews Loki's lips shut as a punishment for his deceit.

The gods reflect on the irony that Loki's deceit led to the creation of their prized treasures.

Thor's hammer, Mjolnir, becomes the symbol of his power and is still known today.

Transcripts

Loki the mischief-maker, was writhing uncomfortably in Thor’s iron grip.

The previous night, while the rest of the gods slept, he’d snuck up on Thor’s wife

Sif and shorn off her beautiful hair.

It’d seemed like a funny prank at the time,

but now Thor was about to break every bone in his body.

Loki had to think of some way to fix what he’d done.

Yet who could replace Sif’s matchless hair, golden like a field of summer wheat?

The dwarves! – their legendary smiths could make anything.

So Loki rushed to their realm, deep within the mountains of the earth.

Even before he arrived, the wily Loki was already scheming

how he would get the dwarves to do his bidding.

He decided that his best bet was to pit two families against each other.

He first visited the masterful sons of Ivaldi.

He told them that their rivals, a pair of brothers named Brokk and Eitri,

had claimed that they were the best craftsmen in the world

and were determined to prove it in a competition.

The rules were that each family had to create three gifts for the gods,

including, for the Ivaldis, golden hair.

Then Loki visited Brokk and Eitri, and told them the same thing,

only now claiming that the sons of Ivaldi had issued the challenge.

But Brokk and Eitri couldn’t be fooled so easily,

and only agreed to participate if Loki put his own head on the line.

Literally—if Brokk and Eitri won, Loki would forfeit his head to them.

Loki had no choice but to agree, and to save himself had to find a way

to make sure the sons of Ivaldi emerged victorious.

Both sets of dwarves got to work.

Eitri set Brokk to man the bellows and told him not to stop for any reason,

or the treasures would be ruined.

Soon a strange black fly flew into the room.

As a piece of pigskin was placed in the forge, the fly stung Brokk’s hand,

but he didn’t flinch.

Next, while Eitri worked a block of gold, the fly bit Brokk on the neck.

The dwarf carried on.

Finally, Eitri placed a piece of iron in the furnace.

This time the fly landed right on Brokk’s eyelid and bit as hard as it could.

And for just a split second, Brokk’s hand left the bellows.

That’s all it took; their final treasure hadn’t stayed in the fire long enough.

Loki now reappeared in his normal form, overjoyed by their failure,

and accompanied the dwarves to present their treasures to the gods.

First, Loki presented the treasures from the sons of Ivaldi.

Their golden hair bound to Sif’s head and continued to grow,

leaving her even more radiant than before.

Next, for Odin the all-father,

a magnificent spear that could pierce through anything.

And finally a small cloth that unfolded into a mighty ship built for Freyr,

god of the harvest.

Then Brokk presented the treasures made by him and his brother.

For Freyr they’d forged a golden-bristled boar

who’d pull Freyr’s chariot across the sky faster than any mount.

For Odin, a golden arm ring which would make eight more identical rings

on every ninth night.

And for Thor, a hammer called Mjolnir.

Its handle was too short, and Loki smirked at the obvious defect.

But then Brokk revealed its abilities.

Mjolnir would never shatter, never miss its mark

and always return to Thor’s hand when thrown.

Despite the short handle, the gods all agreed this was the finest gift of all.

Remembering what was at stake, Loki tried to flee, but Thor reached him first.

But before the dwarves could have their due,

clever Loki pointed out that they had won the rights to his head, but not his neck,

and thus had no right to cut it.

All begrudgingly admitted the truth in that, but Brokk would have the last laugh.

Taking his brother’s awl, he pierced it through Loki’s lips

and sewed his mouth shut,

so the trickster god could no longer spread his malicious deceit.

Yet the irony was not lost on the gods.

For it was Loki’s deceit that had brought them these fine treasures

and given Thor the hammer for which he’s still known today.