The Death of Baldur explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Fate and Free Will

  Despite the gods' efforts to protect Baldur through oaths, Loki's manipulation and the mistletoe's oversight demonstrate the inescapable nature of fate.

• Jealousy and Revenge

  Loki's envy of Baldur's invulnerability and the honor shown to him drives him to commit the atrocious murder.

• Mortality and Immortality

  Baldur, a god, is killed by a seemingly insignificant twig, highlighting the vulnerability of even immortal beings to death.

Characters to notice

• Baldur

  The beloved god whose death is orchestrated by Loki's deceit.

• Odin

  Father of Baldur, who consults the prophetess Angerbode and later sends Hermod to Hel.

• Loki

  The trickster who engineers Baldur's death by exploiting the mistletoe's exemption from Frigga's oath.

• Hodur

  The blind god who, guided by Loki, throws the mistletoe dart that kills Baldur.

• Frigga

  Odin's wife who exacts oaths from all things to protect Baldur, but overlooks the mistletoe.

• Hermod

  The son of Odin who rides to Hel on Sleipnir to plead for Baldur's return.

Key passages

• “Baldur the Good, having been tormented with terrible dreams indicating that his life was in peril, told them to the assembled gods, who resolved to conjure all things to avert from him the threatened danger.”

  Baldur, troubled by prophetic dreams of his own death, shared them with the gods, who decided to protect him by securing promises from all things not to harm him.

  Sets up the central conflict of the chapter.

• “But when Loki beheld the scene he was sorely vexed that Baldur was not hurt. Assuming, therefore, the shape of a woman, he went to Fensalir, the mansion of Frigga.”

  Loki, angered that Baldur remained unharmed, disguised himself as a woman and visited Frigga's home to discover the secret of Baldur's invulnerability.

  Reveals Loki's deceitful nature and his role as the antagonist.

• “Hodur then took the mistletoe, and under the guidance of Loki, darted it at Baldur, who, pierced through and through, fell down lifeless.”

  Blind Hodur, directed by Loki, threw the mistletoe at Baldur, striking him fatally.

  The climax of the chapter: Baldur's death.

• “If, therefore, she added, all things in the world, both living and lifeless, weep for him, then shall he return to life; but if any one thing speak against him or refuse to weep, he shall be kept in Hel.”

  Hela set a condition: if every living and non-living thing mourns Baldur, he may return; otherwise, he must remain in the underworld.

  Introduces the condition for Baldur's potential resurrection.

• “But she answered, Thaukt will wail With dry tears Baldur's balefire. Let Hela keep her own.”

  The hag Thaukt refused to weep for Baldur, saying she would only offer dry tears, thus sealing his fate in Hel.

  The refusal that prevents Baldur's return, likely Loki's final act of malice.