Class Paper: What is Ragnarok and the Fimbulwinter? What happens during these events? What are the sources for these myths? The tales of Ragnarok and the Fimblewinter are myths from Norse mythology. The Fimbulwinter, or "mighty winter", is just that; a bitterly cold and remorseless winter that is said to last for three years. It is characterised by it's short and dark days wherein the sun scarely shines, blinding storms, brutal snows and fiercely bitter winds. The Fimbulwinter was also said to be marked by a period of communal strife and warfare. In the legends of ancient Scandanavia, this mighty winter was said to be so great all-comsuming that the god's themselves could do nothing to stop it once it had began, so signalling the beginning of the end. For this is exactly what the Fimbulwinter was. Three years of suffering leading up to the end of the world - Ragnarok. Ragnarok, which translates to "The Twilight of the Gods" was the Norse peoples myth of the Apocalyse, the events of which are detailed in the Icelandic poem Völuspá. The sun and moon were to be devourered by monstrous...
The Black Death struck Europe in a time of great despair. "Although a `Great Famine' struck northern Europe between 1315 and 1322, nothing prepared Europeans for the horrendous onslaught of the Black Death" (Aberth, 2). The famine had caused a massive hunger shortage from which Europe had yet to recove...
Sling Blade Film directed by and screenplay by Billy Bob Thornton. Theme Sling Blade’s main theme is the redemption of Karl’s lost childhood. Karl Childer’s overly religious parents believed he was a punishment from God. They severely abused him, treated him like an animal, and forced him to live in a shed in solitude.
In his translation of The Saga of the Volsungs: the Norse Epic of Sigurd the Dragon Slayer, Jesse L. Byock compiles many versions of this famous Norse epic and creates a very important scholarly work. Of special importance is the introduction, which provides a central working background to base readings upon. There are several themes echoed throughout the translation that reflect accurately on this portion of history. Byock does a superb job of illustrating these important aspects in his work. While the tale Byock tells is a fairy-tale handed down by generations of families, within the reader can find tell-tale signs of important aspects of Norse culture. For instance, important aspects of family life and the role of men and women surface. Likewise, the importance of wealth and material possessions on the power and prestige of a king is also evident.
When people hear the word Armageddon, a scene of horrific devastation may come to mind. The word holds different meaning for different people. The classical definition of Armageddon form the Bible is from the book of Revelation 16:16 speaks of a final, climactic battle at the time of the Second Coming that is centered at a place in the land of Israel called Armageddon. Because of this, the term Armageddon has come to be used as a shorthand way to label the period of conflict in which the human and spiritual forces of evil on Earth resist Christ as He returns to set up His Millennial Kingdom. (BibleStudy.org, n.d., p. 1) While the contemporary definition is any catastrophically destructive battle as in the first World War was called Armageddon.(WordNet Search , n.d., figure 2) The most wildly accepted definition is that of the Bible but no matter which version you believe in, one thing is for sure. Armageddon is not taken seriously until God shows us just how insignificant we really are.
1) From “Disorder and Destruction: The Annals of Xanten” (in the Week 12 Charlemagne source you used last week) and from the other sources you have read, what is your impression of the Norse? How are they described? Please answer this question in your own words, but with quotations from the text to support your answer.
The gods worshipped by the Norse people can be separated into two groups; the Aesir and the Vanir. The Aesir are the gods that hold the cosmos together and were the most commonly worshipped. The leader of these gods is Odin. (Infoplease.) He is the Allfather; the father of all gods, and the ancestor of many families in Northern Europe. He is also a war god. Although in our culture today he is portrayed as an honorable leader and battlefield commander, the Norse
Vikings were warriors that were still culturally rich, inspiring warriors, and daring masters of the sea. Their obsession with ships help them achieve greatness with their amazing craftsmanship and how cunning the Vikings were. Their fighting strategies are not old in the weapons but also in their religion. The weapons why used played a big role in the viking reputation, but also symbolized how good or wealthy the Viking was. The conclusion to this paper is that Vikings were more than just barbarians but they were a great civilization that believes in multiple gods and goddesses but were fierce in battle.
Full Metal Jacket and Platoon are clearly two of the biggest movies ever made about the
The two creation myths chosen to compare and contrast focuses on the Norse culture of Iceland Vikings and the Genesis creation of the Hebrew origin of Christian culture. Both creation myths begin with an empty void where chaos or conflict develops. The Norse myth narrates a conflict between the fiery realm of Muspell and the dark, cold realm of Niflheim within the emptiness called ginnungagap and where nothing could grow. The Genesis conflict was between God and nothing, loneliness, and the need to create something beautiful.
"Snow Storms: What's a Blizzard." Forces of Nature: TQ 2000. Web. 3 Mar. 2014. .
an climax that was filled with both blood and pain. The Reign of Terror, or the
The Christian Apocalypse, also known as the end of the world is described in great detail by the Book of Revelation. Revelations is one of the most famous End of the World stories. The book itself is the last book in the bible, and is described as a scroll with seven wax seals. In the myth as the scroll unravels, a series of events unfolds. This begins with many wars, famines, diseases, and other heavenly signs to alert the world that the apocalypse is here. After series of natural disasters, a political ruler called the Antichrist will appear and will take control over the entire earth.
Byock, Jesse. The Saga of the Volsungs: The Norse Epic of Sigurd the Dragon Slayer. Berkeley and Los Angeles : University of California Press , 1990. 1-160. eBook. < http://books.google.com/books?id=4hQxtU3wwqAC&lpg=PP1&dq=The%20Saga%20of%20the%20Volsungs%3A%20The%20Norse%20Epic%20of%20Sigurd%20the%20Dragon%20Slayer&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q=The%20Saga%20of%20the%20Volsungs:%20The%20Norse%20Epic%20of%20Sigurd%20the%20Dragon%20Slayer&f=false>
The Bible has a large amount of stories about war and destruction. Some of the stories are historical writings, but not all. God of the bible is omniscient and God uses this to give humanity a unique look into our future. The stories of destruction that this paper will look at are some of the future visions given to humanity by God. The apocalyptic literature are the recorded visions given to believers and they are used to warn people of the impending doom of the world. The bible takes different approaches to the same topic in order to make the message fully know.
http://www.pentheon.com/articles/o/odin.html 1 page, accessed April 7, 2004. Created on March 3 1997, Modified Feb. 12, 2004. Encyclopedia Mythica 1995-2004