The Presence of Norse Mythology in 'The Hobbit'

The Presence of Norse Mythology in 'The Hobbit'

When reading this famously known story, The Hobbit, the author, J. R. R. Tolkien, embedded subtle engravings of old Norse Mythology within this modernized myth. When most people think of mythology, they think of the ancient battles and, of course, the eccentric gods and goddesses. Contrary to belief, myths do not just exist in ancient times. The Hobbit is an excellent living example of this and basic mythology. Though the stories are not the same, the similarities and influences from Gaiman's Norse Mythology within The Hobbit are definitely noticeable.

Influences of Norse Mythology on Tolkien's Work

To begin, Tolkien was influenced by many different aspects present within Norse Mythology. Although Gaiman and Tolkien’s writing styles and contexts are fairly distinct from one another, both hold correlations. Furthermore, the setting of The Hobbit takes place in the Middle Earth, which is the home to Elves, Dwarves, Orcs, and many other creatures along with man. Almost identically in Norse Mythology, there is a place called Midgard that is often referred to as Middle Earth because it lies in the middle of the universe or between Asgard and the underworld. Midgard is home to mankind, so even the population that houses both places have similarities. The parallelism in these settings enriches the reader's understanding of how mythology can transcend time and culture.

To continue, the biggest chunk of influences from Norse Mythology is found amidst characters. For example, the wandering wizard known as Gandalf was particularly influenced by the Norse god, Odin. Gandalf is a central figure that represents and promotes wisdom, justice, and insight much like Odin, but in the world where The Hobbit exists. He is an old man with a long white beard, a glorious staff, and even the stereotypical wide-brimmed wizard hat. These characters’ similarities exist past their wanderings while in the mortal world when dealing with the inhabitants in tattered clothing. Both characters have similar magical powers and weapons. For example, Gandalf exhibits all three of Odin's manifestations or 'powers.' The one that I thought was the most interesting was Gandalf's ability to change man's fate. This is similar to Odin's role as the God of the Dead. Correspondingly, Odin has a legendary spear that is said to never miss its mark when thrown. But, while Odin wanders the earth as an old man, Odin carries it as his staff.

Magical Elements and Characters

Also, both characters carry magical rings with imbued power in Norse Mythology and Tolkien’s works, but each ring is exclusively independent in use and power. In the same fashion, magical Norse creatures such as elves and dwarves also inhabit Tolkien’s incredibly wonderful world. For example, it seemed that the magical creatures of both stories were there just to supplement the story. Specifically, the elves often interact with the characters in Tolkien’s myth, but in Norse mythology, the elves are so magical and rare that man only knows of them in stories, ultimately just adding to the glamour and imaginative details of Norse Mythology. In simpler words, none of the magical creatures within Norse Mythology and The Hobbit seemed to be the main characters, central figures, or “stars” of both of these texts. As a matter of fact, the giants in Norse Mythology are always meddling with the gods. It is almost like it is the giants' mission to try to kill or steal from the gods. In like manner, the trolls are always trying to hunt, kill, and eat dwarves. Once again, these magical creatures are there to add to the theatrics of each storyline.

Parallels in Epic Battles

Not to forget, the final battle in The Hobbit can be compared to the Ragnarok in Norse mythology because both battles almost destroyed everything. The cataclysmic nature of these battles serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the cyclical nature of destruction and rebirth. Before concluding, I would like to add that I also noticed myself more interested in Gaiman and Tolkien’s writings when compared to Greek Mythology. I felt like I was hanging on to each word on every page as if my life depended on it. This may have been because I am more of a stranger to both of these texts compared to Greek Mythology or because both writings are more modernized. To finish, I really enjoyed the idea that Tolkien was so influenced by Norse Mythology.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the storyline and the use of literary elements such as setting and characterization may be slightly different, but Tolkien’s The Hobbit is no doubt a modernized myth-based story influenced by ancient Norse Mythology. This is one reason why this class is so significant. People often imagine the world of gods and goddesses and mystical creatures, but directly relate it to the ancient myths. However, myths are being transformed and evolving from the old and creating whole new universes within the filled pages of many recent books. The enduring legacy of these stories illustrates the timeless human quest for understanding our world through myth and legend.

References

1. Tolkien, J. R. R. (1937). The Hobbit. George Allen & Unwin.
2. Gaiman, N. (2017). Norse Mythology. W. W. Norton & Company.
3. Sturluson, S. (13th century). The Prose Edda.
4. Byock, J. L. (Trans.). (2005). The Prose Edda. Penguin Classics.
5. Davidson, H. R. E. (1964). Gods and Myths of Northern Europe. Penguin Books.