Thor and the Midgard serpent

The serpent

Literature Loki had three children by the giantess Angerboda: the Fenris-wolf, Jormungand (the Midgard-serpent) and Hel. Snorri Sturluson, The Younger Edda (the Prose Edda), trans. Rasmus B. Anderson, Project Gutenberg ↗

Literature Alfather (Odin) threw Loki’s serpent child into the deep sea. It grew until it lay around the whole earth, biting its own tail. Snorri Sturluson, The Younger Edda (the Prose Edda), trans. Rasmus B. Anderson, Project Gutenberg ↗

Thor goes fishing

Literature Thor went fishing with the giant Hymer and baited his hook with an ox-head. Snorri Sturluson, The Younger Edda (the Prose Edda), trans. Rasmus B. Anderson, Project Gutenberg ↗

Literature The Midgard-serpent took the bait. Thor pulled so hard that both his feet went through the boat and he stood on the sea floor. Snorri Sturluson, The Younger Edda (the Prose Edda), trans. Rasmus B. Anderson, Project Gutenberg ↗

Ragnarok

Literature At Ragnarok, the end of the world, Thor kills the Midgard-serpent, but walks only nine paces before falling, overcome by its venom. Snorri Sturluson, The Younger Edda (the Prose Edda), trans. Rasmus B. Anderson, Project Gutenberg ↗

Nidhug under the tree

Literature Under one root of the great ash tree is the spring Hvergelmer, ‘where Nidhug gnaws the root from below’. Snorri Sturluson, The Younger Edda (the Prose Edda), trans. Rasmus B. Anderson, Project Gutenberg ↗

Literature A squirrel called Ratatosk runs up and down the ash, carrying words of envy between the eagle at the top and Nidhug below. Snorri Sturluson, The Younger Edda (the Prose Edda), trans. Rasmus B. Anderson, Project Gutenberg ↗

Literature In Hvergelmer, with Nidhug, there are more serpents than tongue can tell. Snorri Sturluson, The Younger Edda (the Prose Edda), trans. Rasmus B. Anderson, Project Gutenberg ↗

Literature The Younger Edda used here is Rasmus B. Anderson’s English translation of Snorri Sturluson’s book. Snorri Sturluson, The Younger Edda (the Prose Edda), trans. Rasmus B. Anderson, Project Gutenberg ↗