Home > Norse mythological influences on later literature
Norse mythology provides a rich and diverse source which many later writers have borrowed from or built upon. The most well-known example is probably The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien, although he was by no means the first writer to help himself to this source. The Victorian adventure writer H. Rider Haggard, for example, wrote an epic adventure in the style of the Nordic sagas, " Eric Brighteyes". The childen's writer Alan Garner is another writer who has found inspiration in this rich seam of mythology, and borrowed many Norse concepts, such as the tale of Freya's necklace Brisingamen and the hard winter ( Fimbulwinter) which portends the end of the world, Ragnarok in his classic story, The Weirdstone of Brisingamen. Episodes of Doctor Who have also referenced the Norse twilight of the gods.During the 1960s, Marvel Comics writer/artist team Stan Lee and Jack KirbyJack "King" Kirby ( August 28, 1917 February 6, 1994) was one of the most influential, recognizable and prolific artists in United States comic books. Born Jacob Kurtzburg in New York City, he was also a comic book writer and artist. Early Career He worke introduced ThorThor or (ON), Thunor (OE), Donar or Donner (German) is the red-haired and bearded god of thunder and lightning in Germanic and Norse Mythology, the son of Odin and Jord. While Odin is the god of the powerful and aristocratic, Thor is much more the god of as a comic bookA comic book (sometimes called funnies or funny paper is a book or magazine and more recently a graphic novel in the artistic medium known as comics. American comic books have become closely associated with the superhero genre, but the subject matter of c superhero. The character was very popular, and he remains a foundation of the "Marvel Universe" today. Walt Simonson's tenure on the series during the middle-to-late 1980sMillennia: 1st millennium 2nd millennium 3rd millennium Centuries: 19th century 20th century 21st century Decades: 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s 2030s Years: 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 Events and trends is consider its high point by many fans, as Simonson drew heavily on the Norse myths for inspiration. The graphic novelist Alan MooreAlan Moore (born November 18, 1953) is a British writer and co-creator of comic books such as Watchmen and V for Vendetta''. Beginning his career writing strips for publications such as Doctor Who Monthly (or Weekly as it was then), Moore went on to work is also thematically influenced by Norse mythology.
Neil GaimanNeil Richard Gaiman (born November 10, 1960 in Portchester, England) is the author of numerous science fiction and fantasy works, including many comic books. As of 2002, he lives near Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Biography After being rejected many times's novel American GodsAmerican Gods is a novel by Neil Gaiman. The novel is an ambitious blend of Americana, fantasy and various strands of mythology centring on a mysterious and taciturn protagonist, Shadow. It was, approximately, Gaiman's fifth novel, being preceded by Good touches extensively on the Norse mythos, (amongst others), and one of the central characters is called WednesdayWednesday is the day of the week between Tuesday and Thursday. The name comes from the Old English wodnesdaeg meaning " Woden's day". The astrological sign of the planet Mercury represents Wednesday, which was dies mercurii to the Romans. In English, this and is subsequently revealed as the god Odin; Loki (nick-named Low-Key) is also depicted in this novel. The Aesir gods also figures in Gaiman's comic book series The Sandman.
Norse mythology heavily influenced the worlds of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game.
Other writers who tangibly draw on the Nordic pantheon include L. Sprague de Camp, C.S. Lewis, Lord Dunsany.
In the film The Mask , the character played by Jim Carrey comes to an understanding that the mask itself may be an aspect of Loki.
The graphic novel series Ragnarok, by Myung-Jin Lee, is based on Norse mythology and the events of Ragnarok, the prophesized fall of the gods.
