The myth of Loki’s monstrous children - Iseult Gillespie

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Odin, the king of Asgard, was plagued by nightmares. Three fearsome figures haunted his dreams: a massive, writhing shadow; a shambling, rotting corpse; and worst of all, a monstrous beast with a deadly bite. Though their true forms were unknown to him, he could tell they were related to Asgard’s most persistent problem: Loki. Iseult Gillespie details the myth of Loki's secret children.

Lesson by Iseult Gillespie, directed by Layron DeJarnette, Gumboyo.

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[calico_queen]

I love how when people in Mythology gets prophecies that someone's gonna kill them, they do something that makes that someone have every reason to kill them.

[chinesecabbagefarmer]

“A child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth.”

[jamaelwilliams]

In a way this story serves as a reminder not to let fear and paranoia guide your actions

[overcookedcooki]

he let his fear create his own enemies, he won against the snake, who he could've used, Hel willing went, meaning there was no stopping him from helping/using her too, and the wolf had a deep relationship with the warrior, something that could be used as well.
Thanks for all the likes, didn't think it'd get this far.

[JaqenHghar.]

In the version I read it was a little more tragic for Tyr. He knew he was betraying his friend which is why he volunteered. He was punishing himself and when Fenrir knew he had been tricked he looked at Tyr with a sad expression and then Try gave him a nod as to let him know to bite his arm off so Fenrir did so reluctantly

[redsparks]

Three personifications of the unknown (and possibly the unknowable; the true nightmare).
1. Jörmungandr: the unknown of the unobservable world beyond one's field of sight.
2. Fenrir: the unknown of the natural world beyond one's ability to tame or control.
3. Hel: the unknown beyond one's death, the cessation of one's existence.

[piriyaj]

I find Fenrir’s myth quite heart-breaking. He wouldn’t have agreed to play these ‘power tests’ at all if Tyr wasn’t there. And then Tyr is the only one who volunteered to offer his arm, paying the price of betrayal to his wolf friend himself.

[Sia_]

Odin had a rare case of self-fulfilling prophecy. None these would have happen if he didn’t act based on a dream.

[KurtDaronPRivo]

The fact that atleast Fenrir's fate could've been easily avoided by a bit more trust is quite sad, especially with the wolf's friendship with Tyr.

[l.n.]

As an observer who isn't as familiar with Norse culture or mythology, I find it interesting how Odin immediately takes action against what are essentially 3 innocent "children" whose only mistake was being born to the wrong parent (Loki). Does this imply that it's ok to take preventive action before a "criminal" has even committed their supposed crime? Would it have been the same situation if they had been children of Thor? Or would Odin have given a chance to any child of Thor, but not with Loki? Fascinating topic and great animation!

[zur]

I love how his actions created the monsters.

[ravensthatflywiththenightm]

I've always felt sorry for Fenrir. He only wanted to be accepted and respected by the Aesir, which was why he kept accepting chains just to show off how strong he was before the Gods. But of course that's the tragedy of his story. Had Odin not been such a paranoid wreck, Fenrir would not have had any reason to resent the Gods.

[michaelweiske]

Hel should not be full of fire. A burning underworld is from Greco-Roman mythology, later adopted into Christian and Muslim imagery, but the Norse underworld is exceedingly cold.

[rzl-cijj]

for those who were wondering:
-jormungandr continued to circle the earth, and when it let go, Ragnarök would start. In one encounter, Thor fishes for Jormungand, and fails to pull him up only when the giant Hymir, terrified that this will bring about Ragnarök, severs the line, sending the snake back down to the depths.
-fenrir, in another version of the myth, devours the sun and fights Odin head on during Ragnarök, which he won by swallowing Odin whole. He was later killed by Odin's son Vidar, the god of vengeance
-hel. i wasnt able to find much relating to hel, but we can assume she either died in the battle of Ragnarök or stayed in hel

[fardiorin]

One small minor correction about Hel's dwelling of Helheim, it is not fiery so much that it is only a place of darkness and misery.

[alphabetboy]

In other tales, Hel was promoted to become the Queen of the Dead, she was described as Cold but Just, in Baldr's Death, when Baldr's Mother, Frigg, asked Hel to return her late Son's soul to the living world, Hel agreed but only if every living thing weep and mourn over his death, something that didn't happen because Loki, her father, sabotaged Friggs plan by not mourning the late god, because it was a closed deal, Hel kept Baldr's soul safe until the End of Ragnarok as he'll be resurrected.

[thewingedhussar]

The only inaccurate thing in this video IS the fact Norse Hel was actually cold/mild.
Depending on your role in life.
If you were just a normal person who died.
Hel was just a regular place, similar to our world.
Mild, temperate, etc.
The cold parts of Hel was Hel's home/hall and where the really bad people were sent.
The really cold and dark places.

[WolfDragon-izwq]

One often meets his destiny on the road he takes to avoid it. -Master Oogway

[IonsonMars]

The animation and narration quality just gets better Ted-Ed! Good job

[leeks]

Really makes you feel for the characters you thought were bad guys but were really the victims. Like the live action Maleficent film. I was always fascinated by Jormangandr