Скачать или смотреть Top 10 Facts About Thor

Thor, the Norse god of thunder, is one of the most intriguing mythological gods of any ancient pantheon. He espouses the characteristics of strength and power. Thor wields his hammer Mjolnir in defense of mankind in the everlasting battle against the giants. He is there when the world ends in the flames of Ragnarok.

It is no small wonder that Thor has reached such an incredible level of popularity in modern culture. His fame is greatly augmented by the comic book portrayal of his character and his presence in the series of Marvel movies. Unfortunately, the Thor portrayed in popular culture is not the same Thor that the ancient Germanic peoples believed in. In this video, Decema provides several interesting facts about this mythological god. Where did he originate? What did Thor look like? Who is his arch enemy? What is his supposed heritage?

Historically, extinct deities provide a perfect window through which to obtain insight into ancient people’s psyches. We find that the gods are usually a reflection of the people themselves. It is not coincidental that Thor became so popular during the Viking era. He espoused the character traits that the people of Scandinavia held dear. He is an icon of a past age. He is the modern memory of hard working, brave northern peoples.

As a side thought, I posed myself the question, “What would Scandinavian peoples think of our modern portrayal of Thor?” Honestly, I am not entirely sure. I think that the modern portrayal is suitable for its audience. We do not face the hardships that these people did. Thus, our portrayal is much softer and more suited for our tastes. A Viking from the tenth century would probably conclude that we rendered Thor weak and pathetic. It is an interesting thought and I look forward to hearing your opinion in the comments.