86 pages 2 hours read

Neil Gaiman

Norse Mythology

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2017

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Symbols & Motifs

Wolves and Serpents

Wolves and serpents are powerful symbols in Norse mythology. These creatures were important to Viking culture, appearing as recurring motifs in art, ships, and poetry. Wolves are used to symbolize brutality, barbarism, and betrayal. Serpents are a symbol of binding, punishment, and destiny.

The most obvious example of a wolf in Norse Mythology is Fenrir—Loki's monstrous son. The gods fear Fenrir’s power; he grows rapidly, and his strength becomes alarming. They betray Fenrir, binding him in unbreakable bonds. He will escape during Ragnarok and take his revenge. Another example of a wolf is the binding of Loki. The gods turn Loki’s son Vali into a wolf, his mind “replaced by hunger, by anger, by madness” (262). Vali tears his brother Narfi apart and runs off. Narfi’s entrails are used to bind Loki.

Jormungundr is, literally, the largest serpent in Norse Mythology: it encircles the world, bound by swallowing its own tail. The Midgard serpent’s form, the Ouroboros, represents eternity; breaking that form by removing its tail from its mouth, will signal Ragnarok. Another example of a serpent is demonstrated by Loki’s punishment for the murder of Balder. A serpent drips venom into Loki’s eyes, tormenting him until Ragnarok; he is relieved only by his wife catching its venom in a bowl.

Related Titles

By Neil Gaiman

Study Guide

logo

American Gods

Neil Gaiman

American Gods

Neil Gaiman

Study Guide

logo

Anansi Boys

Neil Gaiman

Anansi Boys

Neil Gaiman

Study Guide

logo

Fortunately, the Milk

Neil Gaiman

Fortunately, the Milk

Neil Gaiman

STUDY + TEACHING GUIDE

logo

Good Omens

Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett

Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch

Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett

Study Guide

logo

How to Talk to Girls at Parties

Neil Gaiman

How to Talk to Girls at Parties

Neil Gaiman

Study Guide

logo

October in the Chair

Neil Gaiman

October in the Chair

Neil Gaiman

Study Guide

logo

Odd and the Frost Giants

Neil Gaiman

Odd and the Frost Giants

Neil Gaiman

Study Guide

logo

The Ocean at the End of the Lane

Neil Gaiman

The Ocean at the End of the Lane

Neil Gaiman

Study Guide

logo

The Sandman Omnibus Vol. 1

Neil Gaiman

The Sandman Omnibus Vol. 1

Neil Gaiman

Study Guide

logo

The Sleeper and the Spindle

Neil Gaiman

The Sleeper and the Spindle

Neil Gaiman