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Beowulf vs Thor

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Beowulf vs Thor
Beowulf vs. Thor

Beowulf, a legendary hero of Geatish lore, from the epic poem named after him, is the definition of a hero. There is one being who can be collated to Beowulf: the mighty Thor, god of thunder. Derived from Norse mythology, Thor is hot-headed, with an appetite for food and drink. He also is one of the strongest gods, serving as the protector of the people. Both of these characters share similar qualities in what some would define a hero, despite one being a man, and the other being a deity.
Thor is one of the most famous of the gods in Norse mythology, well known due to his popularity. Thor is described as having a quick and hot temper, and a love for food. The enemies of the gods, the giants, were on the receiving end of his fury. cdWith his mighty hammer, he would smash their heads, and such a mighty weapon, crafted by dwarves, required iron gloves and a belt of strength. (Davidson, 1977) When Thor would throw Mjollnir, his fearsome weapon that was known to level mountains, the hammer would return to Thor’s hand, symbolic to lightning. Thor continues to live on today, not as a part of any religion, but on our calendar. Thursday (Thor’s Day) was derived from this mighty god. (Jakobson, 1985) As one can see, thor is described as a great warrior, as well as an epic hero.
Thor, the Thunderer, is perhaps the most famous of the gods of the Northmen, and was considered by some to be greater even than Odin. He was the God of the Peasants--the poor people, while Odin was thought more of by the rich people and the great fighters. Thor usually rode in a chariot of brass, drawn by two goats, Tooth-cracker and Tooth-gnasher, and it was this chariot which was supposed to make the thunder; hence Thor's name. (Bellows, 1936)
Thor is a prominent figure in Norse Mythology, and a popular Deity; Beowulf, from Anglo-Saxon literature, is a fictional hero from the epic poem named after him. “Then spoke Hrothgar, defence of the Scyldings: "I knew him when he was a



Cited: Bellows, H. A. (1936). The Poetic Edda. (n.d.). Beowulf. Colum, P. (1920). HOW THOR AND LOKI BEFOOLED THRYM THE GIANT. In The Children of Odin. Couzens, R. C. (1923). Thursday--The Day of Thor. In The Stories of Months and Days (p. CHAPTER XVIII). Davidson, H. R. (1977). Gods and myths of northern Europe. Penguin Books. Guerber, H. a. (2010). Hammer of Thor. Special Edition Books. (2005). Thor and the Jotun Geirrod. In E. P. Ingri d 'Aulaire, D 'Aulaires ' Book of Norse Myths (p. 106). New York Review of Books. Jakobson, R. (1985). Selected writings: Comparative Slavic studies. Walter de Gruyter & Co. Longfellow, H. W. (n.d.). The Challenge of Thor.

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