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Norse Mythological Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
From a historical perspective, Norse mythology is largely documented in two collections: Poetic Edda<\/em> and Prose Edda.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Poetic Edda,<\/em> most famously documented in the Codex Regius<\/em>, is a collection of narrative poems that document Norse mythology. Composed as a separate volume with more prose-based explanations of events, the Prose Edda<\/em> is a comprehensive collection of Norse mythological stories. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Both trace their roots back to the 12th century when the poet and historian Snorri Sturluson compiled the stories into volumes to teach others mythology and the art of Norse poetry, although the stories predate Sturluson\u2019s written copies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When consulted together, these texts collectively document Norse mythology from creation to Ragnarok. They provide details for each god in the Norse pantheon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most famous is Odin<\/a>, the All-Father. He was the king of Asgard and ruler of the Nine Realms. There is his son Thor, the hammer-wielding god of thunder and one of the greatest warriors in Norse mythology. And also Loki, the trickster god born of a jotun giant, and the goddess Laufey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A lesser-known character, who is introduced in connection to Loki but becomes a key figure in her own right, is Angrboda. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Also known as the \u201cmother of monsters\u201d and \u201cshe-who-offers-sorrow\u201d, Angrboda is mentioned only once in the Poetic Edda<\/em>, although she gets a more robust description throughout the tales of the Prose Edda<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Angrboda is documented in these texts as one of Loki\u2019s two wives, with whom he bore three children. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Their first child was Fenrir, the great wolf who was destined to kill Odin during Ragnarok and consume the moon. Fenrir was locked away for this prophecy, but not before tricking the god Tyr into placing his hand in Fenrir\u2019s mouth, where it was bitten clean off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Their second child was Jormungandr<\/a>, the world serpent. After he was born, Odin cast him out from Asgard where he landed in the great ocean surrounding Midgard (Earth).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n As he grew, he eventually could grab his own tail and wrap around the world and form the edges of the sea, gaining the name World Serpent. However, it was prophesied that once Jormungandr released his tail then Ragnorok would begin. Notably, Jormungandr would develop a rivalry with Thor, and the two were destined to fight to the death during Ragnarok. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Their third child was Hel, a goddess that Odin banished to rule over a land called Hel, a portion of the realm of Niflheim beneath the world tree, Yggdrasil<\/a>. Niflheim was the Norse equivalent of the underworld or afterlife. And Hel was responsible for looking after those who died of sickness or old age. She has become associated with death overall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Little else is known of Angrboda, although it is believed she is \u201cthe witch of the Ironwood\u201d mentioned in the Prose Edda. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n One passage makes mention of a forest to the east of Midgard called Ironwood. This is where trollswives (Iarnvidiur) live, and where an ancient giantess breeds giants and wolves. This could be Angrboda, as she is both a giant and gave birth to at least one son with Loki who was a wolf. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The backdrop of Ironwood also is used in the game God of War: Ragnarok. It is the location where Atreus, son of the main character Kratos, meets Angrboda. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A romance buds between the two throughout the game, which is reflective of mythology because (spoiler alert) Atreus is revealed to be Loki. Although Angrboda does not give birth to their three children in the game, she nonetheless is developed as a character. Many references to her in the game allude to her scarce mythological roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With so little to document her existence, it is surprising that Angrboda has survived this long in Norse mythology. However, it is more surprising that there was so little documentation of her existence in the first place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As the mother of three monsters, two of which play essential roles in Ragnarok, the end of all things, it seems she would be the perfect candidate for further exploration when elaborating on specific themes while myth-building. Perhaps her nature as a jotunn kept her from being described in more detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Or perhaps her lack of detail was intentional to promote an heir of mystery around Loki\u2019s mistress and the mother of monsters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Either way, God of War: Ragnarok has the most extensive (albeit with many creative liberties) depiction of Angrboda to date. Although maybe the MCU producers can find a way to include an easter egg referencing Angrboda as Loki explores the multiverse in the latest season<\/a> of his self-titled television series. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAngrboda\u201d God of War Wiki, October 7, 2023. https:\/\/godofwar.fandom.com\/wiki\/Angrboda<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pearson, Leanbh. \u201cAngrboda: Mother of Monsters.\u201d leanbhpearson.com, November 19, 2018. https:\/\/leanbhpearson.com\/2018\/11\/19\/angrboda-mother-of-monsters\/<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Skjalden. \u201cAngrboda is the mother of J\u00f6rmungandr, the Fenrir wolf, and Hel.\u201d Nordic Culture, August 11, 2020. https:\/\/skjalden.com\/angrboda\/<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Norse Pantheon<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Mother of Monsters: Fenrir, Jormungandr, and Hel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Witch of the Ironwood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
References<\/h2>\n\n\n\n