Baldur was the son of Odin, the All-Father, and Queen Frigg. He was married to Nanna the Peaceful and was known as the God of truth and light. Baldur was the kindest and most loved being in Asgard, the realm of the gods. In his grand hall, Breidablik, his calming presence brought comfort to everyone around him. But lately, Baldur was troubled by dark visions predicting his own death.
To protect her son from these grim visions, Queen Frigg traveled across the nine realms. She asked every living thing to promise not to harm Baldur. Her grace and determination convinced every animal, element, disease, and plant to give their word. Feeling relieved, Frigg returned to Breidablik and held a grand feast to celebrate Baldur’s safety.
During the feast, the gods began testing Baldur’s newfound immunity. However, Loki, the trickster god, found this irritating. Disguised as an old woman, he approached Frigg, pretending to be confused about why the gods were attacking Baldur. Frigg explained the promises she had received, but the old woman asked if she had received a vow from everything. Frigg admitted that she had not asked mistletoe, thinking it too small to be a threat.
Loki quickly found a sprig of mistletoe. When he returned, the party was even more lively. Baldur’s brother, Hodur, who was blind and without a weapon, sat sadly. Seeing a chance, Loki offered Hodur a way to join the fun. He gave him the mistletoe, guided his aim towards Baldur, and encouraged him to throw it with all his strength. The mistletoe struck Baldur’s chest, and despair spread across the crowd as Baldur fell.
Amidst the sorrow, Hermod the Brave stepped forward. He believed he could reach any realm with Odin’s powerful horse. Hermod decided to travel to the underworld, Hel, to bring Baldur back. He rode for nine days and nights, passing through eerie landscapes. When he finally reached Hel, he pleaded for Baldur’s return. Hel agreed, but only if Hermod could prove that every living thing mourned for Baldur.
Hermod returned to the living world and met with every creature Frigg had visited. All of them wept for Baldur and begged for his return. Meanwhile, Loki, not wanting his actions undone, disguised himself as a giant and hid at Hermod’s last stop. When Hermod arrived, the wind and rocks expressed their love for Baldur, but the giant refused to cry.
With his hopes crushed, Hermod began to mourn Baldur once more. But then, he realized he had been tricked by Loki. As Hermod confronted him, Loki transformed into a salmon and tried to escape. However, Thor arrived just in time. He captured Loki and dragged him back to the cave. The gods bound Loki with a serpent, where he would remain until the end of days, facing punishment for his role in Baldur’s tragic death.
Illustrate the story of Baldur and the mistletoe in a comic strip format. Use your creativity to depict key scenes such as Frigg’s quest, Loki’s trickery, and Hermod’s journey. Share your comic strip with the class and discuss how the visuals help convey the story’s themes.
In groups, choose characters from the myth and act out the story. Focus on expressing the emotions and motivations of each character, especially during pivotal moments like Baldur’s death and Loki’s capture. Reflect on how the characters’ actions drive the narrative.
Rewrite the myth of Baldur and the mistletoe in a modern setting. Consider how the characters and events would translate to today’s world. Share your story with classmates and discuss how the core themes remain relevant.
Participate in a class debate on whether Loki’s actions were justified. Prepare arguments for both sides, considering Loki’s motivations and the consequences of his trickery. Engage in a respectful discussion and explore different perspectives on the myth.
Work in pairs to create a podcast episode discussing the myth of Baldur and the mistletoe. Include a summary of the story, analysis of its themes, and your personal reflections. Share your podcast with the class and listen to others’ interpretations.
**Sanitized Transcript:**
Baldur, son of All Father Odin and Queen Frigg, husband of Nanna the Peaceful, and God of truth and light, was the gentlest and most beloved being in all of Asgard. In his great hall of Breidablik, Baldur’s soothing presence eased his subjects’ woes. However, he was recently troubled by ominous visions foretelling his own death. Determined to protect her son from these grim prophecies, Queen Frigg traveled across the nine realms, pleading with all living things not to harm Baldur. Her grace moved each being she encountered. Every animal, element, plague, and plant gave their word.
Frigg returned to Breidablik and threw a great feast to celebrate. Wine flowed freely, and soon the gods took turns testing Baldur’s immunity. Lurking in the corner, Loki, the trickster god, found Baldur’s new gift profoundly irritating. He took the form of an old woman and approached Frigg, feigning confusion about why the gods were attacking Baldur. Frigg explained the oaths, but the old woman pressed on, questioning whether Frigg had received a vow from everything. Frigg admitted that the only being she hadn’t visited was mistletoe, thinking it too insignificant to worry about.
Loki dashed outside to find a sprig of mistletoe. When he returned, the festivities had grown even rowdier. Baldur’s brother Hodur, who was blind and weaponless, sat dejected. Seeing an opportunity, Loki slyly offered Hodur a chance to participate. He armed him with mistletoe, guided his aim towards Baldur, and told Hodur to throw with all his might. The mistletoe pierced Baldur’s chest, and despair swept over the crowd. The impact of Baldur’s death was felt across the nine realms.
From the weeping masses, Hermod the Brave stepped forward. He believed that with the help of Odin’s mighty steed, he could reach any realm. He would travel to the halls of Hel and bring Baldur home. Hermod rode for nine days and nights, past halls of corpses and over paths paved with bone. When he finally reached the Queen of the Underworld, Hermod begged her to return Baldur to his family. Hel considered taking pity but wanted to know the extent of the gods’ mourning. She agreed to relinquish Baldur’s soul if Hermod could prove that every living thing wept for him.
Hermod returned to the land of the living and met with every creature that Frigg had visited earlier, all of which cried for Baldur and begged for his return. Meanwhile, Loki watched Hermod’s mission with disdain, not wanting his actions to be undone but also cautious not to reveal his involvement in Baldur’s death. Disguising himself as a giant, he hid at Hermod’s final stop. When the warrior arrived, the wind and rocks expressed their love for Baldur, but the giant only showed contempt. No matter how much Hermod pleaded, she would not shed a single tear.
With his last hope dashed, Hermod began to mourn Baldur again. However, an echo from the cave rang out above his sobs. Realizing he had been tricked by Loki, Hermod leapt to confront him. Loki transformed into a salmon and escaped into the waterfall. His escape seemed guaranteed until Thor arrived. Dragging Loki back to the cave, the gods bound him with a serpent. Here, Loki would remain chained until the end of days, facing punishment for his role in the tragedy that befell Asgard’s brightest light.
Baldur – A god in Norse mythology known for his beauty and kindness, often associated with light and purity. – In the myth, Baldur’s death was mourned by all the gods, as he was beloved by everyone in Asgard.
Frigg – The wife of Odin in Norse mythology, known as the goddess of marriage and motherhood. – Frigg was deeply saddened by the prophecy of her son Baldur’s death and sought to protect him from harm.
Loki – A trickster god in Norse mythology, known for his cunning and shape-shifting abilities. – Loki’s mischievous nature often led to trouble among the gods, but he also played a crucial role in many myths.
Mistletoe – A plant with white berries, significant in Norse mythology as the only thing that could harm Baldur. – The gods overlooked mistletoe when making everything vow not to harm Baldur, leading to his tragic demise.
Hermod – A god in Norse mythology, known as the messenger of the gods and associated with bravery. – Hermod rode to the underworld to plead for Baldur’s return after his untimely death.
Trickery – The act of deceiving or misleading others, often used by characters in mythology to achieve their goals. – Loki’s trickery was legendary, as he often used deceit to manipulate both gods and mortals.
Quest – A journey or pursuit undertaken by a hero in mythology or literature, often involving challenges and adventures. – The hero’s quest to retrieve the magical artifact was filled with perilous trials and unexpected allies.
Tears – Symbolic expressions of sorrow or grief, often used in literature to convey deep emotion. – The goddess’s tears fell like rain as she mourned the loss of her beloved son.
Underworld – A mythical realm where the dead reside, often depicted as a dark and mysterious place. – In many myths, heroes must journey to the underworld to seek wisdom or rescue a lost soul.
Asgard – The home of the gods in Norse mythology, depicted as a magnificent realm above the earth. – Asgard was a place of beauty and power, where the gods held their councils and feasts.
