英语本科毕业论文-The Norse Mythology Norse Mythology in The Lord of the Ring and World of Warcraft.doc

第20页The Mislaid Treasurethe Norse MythologyNorse Mythology in The Lord of the Ring and World of WarcraftNorse mythology is an epic legend that seems to have been long forgotten.Not being so well-known as either Greek mythology or the Bible, it, nevertheless, exerts a considerable influence on our contemporary culture. Out of personal curiosity and fondness of the great literary works like The Lord of the Ring and computer games like World of Warcraft, the writer of this paper has come to realize that both of these two bear considerable influence of Norse mythology. And from this arises the urge to delve into the epic legacy of Norse mythology in the hope of bringing into light the connection between them and Norse mythology.Through a contrastive study, this paper represents a research into Norse mythology and its influence on contemporary culture represented by The Lord of the Ring and World of Warcraft. It is hoped that through this initial research, the writer will be able to help more people with the same preference to deepen their understanding of Norse mythology as well as to further enjoy and experience The Lord of the Ring and World of Warcraft.I. Norse Mythology1.1 What is Norse Mythology?Norse mythology, Scandinavian mythology and Viking mythology all refer to the pre-Christian religion of the Norwegian, Swedish, Icelandic, and Danish peoples. A few books group Finnish mythology in with the Norse but the old beliefs of Finland form a separate tradition although there are some interesting parallels. The Norse mythological system as we currently have it comes down to us mainly from the Icelandic Eddas and sagas which were written down a few centuries after the Christianization of the north. There has been much research trying to discern the true ancient religion as practiced by the people of the Scandinavian countries as opposed to the representation we are given in the written sources. Aside from any influence Christianity might have played, Norse mythology presents us with a multilayered, often contradictory, world view with a myriad of parallels in other mythological systems. It is a playground for the comparative mythology researcher, rich with elements from Indo-European, Shamanistic (the religion of many of the ancient less-developed civilizations of the world. Some societies today are shamanistic. Shamanism is characterized by the ability of the Shaman to communicate with the spirit world to provide healing, guidance or wisdom.) and other belief systems.Norse mythology comes from the northernmost part of Europe, Scandinavia: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Iceland. The mythology of this region is grim, shadowed by long, sunless winters. But the darkness is laced with gleams of grandeur and sparks of humor. The myths depict a universe in which gods and giants battle among themselves in a cosmic conflict fated to end in the destruction of the world. 1.2 Background and SourcesNorse mythology developed from the myths and legends of northern peoples who spoke the Germanic languages. It shares many features with the mythology of pre-Christian Germanic groups. When some of these groups spread into England and Scandinavia, they carried their myths with them. As they converted to Christianity, their traditional beliefs faded. But Christianity did not take hold in Scandinavia until a later date, and the Norse version of Germanic mythology remained vigorous through the Viking era, from about A.D. 750 to 1050. Modern knowledge of Norse mythology stems from medieval texts, most of them written in Iceland. Descendants of Norse colonists in that country maintained a strong interest in their heritage even after becoming Christian.A major source of information about Norse mythology is a book called The Poetic Edda, sometimes known as The Elder Edda. It consists of mythological and heroic poems, including Voluspa, an overview of Norse mythology from the creation to the final destructive battle of the world, called Ragnarok. The unknown author who compiled The Poetic Edda in Iceland around 1270 drew on materials dating from between 800 and 1100.Around 1222, an Icelandic poet and chieftain named Snorri Sturluson wrote The Prose Edda, or Younger Edda, which interprets traditional Icelandic poetry for the audiences of Snorris time. Part of the Prose Edda describes a visit by Gylfi, a Swedish king, to the home of the gods in Asgard. There the king questioned the gods about their history adventures, and fate.Norse mythology is known from other Scandinavian texts as well. Many Norse poems refer to mythic events or figures. In the early 1200s, Icelanders started writing family sagas about their ancestors and heroic sagas about their legendary heroes. Many of these sagas contain references to mythological subjects.1.3 Major Deities and FiguresLike the Greek deities, the Norse gods and goddesses have all the characteristics of larger-than-life human beings. Unlike the Greek deities, however, they seldom interact with human beings. The world of Norse mythology includes two groups of gods, the Aesir and the Vanir, as well as giants, trolls, elves, dwarfs, and heroic human warriors.(Trolls and dwarfs see the third part of the article)1.3.1 The AesirThe Aesir were gods of war and of the sky. Chief among them was Odin, god of battle, wisdom, and poetry, who was regarded by the Vikings as the ruler of the deities and the creator of humans. The mighty Thor, warrior god of thunder, ranked as the second most important Norse deity. Tiwaz, an early Germanic sky god who became Tyr in Norse mythology, appears in some accounts as a son of Odin. Balder, also Odins son, was a gentle, beloved god. Murdered, he descended to the underworld (land of the dead), to return after a new world had been created. Loki, a cunning trickster, sometimes helped the other gods but more often caused trouble because of his spiteful, destructive nature. The sky goddess Frigg was Odins wife and the patron of marriage, children, and households.1.3.2 The VanirThe Vanir were associated with the earth, fertility, and prosperity. In the beginning, the Aesir and Vanir waged war against each other, perhaps reflecting an actual historical conflict between two cultures, tribes, or belief systems. Realizing that neither side could win, the two groups of gods made peace and together fought their common enemy, the giants. To ensure a lasting peace, some of the Vanir came to Asgard, the home of the Aesir, as hostages. Among them were Njord, the patron of the sea and seafaring. His twin children, Freyr and Freyja, were the most important Vanir and represented love, sexuality, and fertility the giants desire to capture Freyja was one cause of strife between the gods and the giants.1.3.3 Other Mythological and Legendary Beings The supernatural beings who inhabited the Norse mythic world included elves, creatures related to humans; and dwarfs, skilled crafts workers who made many of the finest treasures of gods and humans. The most powerful and dreaded mythological beings were the giants, huge beings associated with ice, snow, and paralyzing cold. They were descended from Ymir, the frost giant, who was killed by Odin and his brothers. Although the giants were generally enemies of the gods, many marriages took place between deities and giants. Both the mother and the wife of Freyr, for example, were giantesses.1.4 Major Themes and MythsBravery in the face of a harsh fate is one of the main themes of Norse mythology. Even the gods were ruled by an unalterable fate that doomed everything to eventual destruction. A hero who strove to accept his destiny with reckless courage, honor, and generosity might win lasting fame, regarded as the only true life after death.1.4.1 Creation Various accounts of the creation of the world and of human beings appear in Norse mythology All begin in Ginnungagap, a deep empty space between realms of heat and ice. Frost formed and became a giant, Ymir. A cosmic cow named Audhumla also appeared. Licking the cliffs of ice, she revealed a man who had three grandsons. One of them was Odin. With his two brothers, Odin killed the frost giant Ymir and formed the earth from his body, the seas and rivers from his blood, and the sky from his skull, which was held suspended above the earth by four strong dwarfs.1.4.2 The UniverseOnce they had killed Ymir, Odin and the other gods created an orderly universe in three levels. Although journeys between the different levels of the universe were possible, they were difficult and dangerous, even for the gods. The top or heavenly level contained Asgard, the home of the Aesir; Vanaheim, the home of the Vanir; and Alfheim, the place where the light or good elves lived. Valhalla, the hall where Odin gathered the souls of warriors who had died in battle, was also located on this level.Connected to the upper level by the rainbow bridge Bifrost was the middle or earthly level. It contained Midgard, the world of men; Jotunheim, the land of the giants; Svartalfaheim, the land of the dark elves; and Nidavellir, the land of the dwarfs. A huge serpent called Jormungand encircled the middle world. The bottom level consisted of the underworld of Niflheim, also known as Hel after Lokis daughter Hel, who ruled there.II. Tolkien and Norse Mythology2.1 Tolkien and His Trilogy, The Lord of the Ring Norse mythology inspired the stirring poems and sagas that were written down during the late Middle Ages, and it has inspired more recent artists as well. Some modern writers of fantasy have drawn on Norse stories and creations such as elves and dwarfs in their work. The best known of these is J.R.R. Tolkien, whose The Lord of the Ring features many themes from Norse mythology, such as dragon slaying and enchanted rings.Tolkien was very well acquainted with Norse mythology, as can be seen by the use of it in his books. The name of one of his main characters, Gandalf, is found in The Poetic Edda. Gandalf is, in some ways, reminiscent of Odin, the leader of the Norse pantheon. Even the name Middle-earth, the setting for Tolkiens The Lord of the Ring, comes from Norse mythology.One of the masters of British Literature, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien has the unique ability to create a fantasy world in which exists a nearly endless supply of parallelisms to reality. By mastering his own world and his own language and becoming one with his fantasy, Tolkien is able to create wonderful symbolism and meaning out of what would otherwise be considered nonsense. Thus, when one decides to study The Ruling Ring, or The One Ring, in Tolkiens trilogy The Lord of the Ring, one must not simply perform an examination of the ring itself, but rather a complex analysis of the events which take place from the time of the rings creation until the time of its destruction. Concurrently, to develop a more complete understanding of the symbolic nature of the ring, one must first develop a symbolic understanding of the characters and events that are relevant to the story.Tolkien, became fascinated by language at an early age during his schooling at, particularly the languages of Northern Europe, both ancient and modern. This affinity for language did not only lead to his profession, but also his private hobby, the invention of languages. He was also drawn to the entire “Northern tradition”, which inspired him to study its myths and sagas thoroughly. His broad knowledge eventually led to the development of his opinions about Myth, its relation to language, and the importance of stories. All these various perspectives: language, the heroic tradition, and Myth, as well as deeply-held beliefs in Catholic Christianity work together in all of his works, including The Lord of the Ring.2.2 The Lord of the Ring and The Volsunga SagaAlthough human beings rarely appear in Norse myths about the gods, Norse literature is filled with legends of heroic warriors, kings, and ancestors. The most important is The Volsunga Saga, written around 1300. The Norse version of the German epic the Nibelungenlied, it tells the story of Sigurd, a hero who slays a dragon, acquires a magical ring, awakens a sleeping beauty (the Valkyrie Brunhilde), and bravely meets his destiny. Like Beowulf, another Germanic hero, Sigurd triumphs over the forces of evil and chaos by slaying a monster.This part will compare characters from The Lord of the Ring and a passage from the Norse mythology story The Volsunga Saga, and will also show how many of the characters in the trilogy lend themselves to Christ-figure status. By examining the Ring from these perspectives, a clearer understanding of its symbolic significance will be reached.2.2.1 Characters from The Lord of the Ring1. Company of the RingGandalf also known as Gandalf the Grey, a very wise wizard. Frodo nephew of Bilbo Baggins, Ring-bearerSam Wise Frodos faithful servant.Aragorn representative of men, son of Arathorn, also known as Strider. He will become the King of Men.Legolas representative of the Elves.Boromir a man from the South. On a badric he wore a great horn tipped with silver.Gimli son of Gloin, representative for the Dwarves.Pippin - Friend of FrodoMerry - Friend of Frodo2. Powers of GoodElrond Lord of Rivendell and mighty among both Elves and Men.Arwen daughter of Elrond, in whom it was said that the Likeness ofLuthien ahd come on earth again; and she was called Undomiel, for she was the Evenstar of her people.Ents The most ancient people surviving in the Third Age. These people resembled trees and were considered shepards of the forest.3. Powers of EvilSaruman Saruman the Wise, Saruman Rig-maker, Saruman of Many Colours Saruman was a wizard that had gone bad.Sauron the maker of the Ruling ring. The most evil of all the wizards.Orcs A race of foul creatures bred by the Dark Power of the North in the Elder Days.Trolls creatures of dull and lumpish nature. Sauron had made use of them, teaching them what little they could learn and incrasing their wits with wickedness.Gollum - small slimy creature, two large round pale eyes in his thin face.2.2.2 Characters from The Volsunga Saga Andvari- Dwarf who guards the golden treasure, including the cursed ring.Fafnir- Hreidmars eldest son who turns into a dragon because of his greed over the treasure.Regin- Hreidmars son who tells the story to Sigurd of how Fafnir becomes a dragon.Otr- Hreidmars son who is struck with a stone by Loki, Hoenir, and Odin.Sigurd- The hero of The Volsunga Saga who prepares, with Regins help, to fight Fafnir.Hreidmar- The father of Fafnir, Regin, and Otr who is killed by Fafnir.Odin- A powerful Norse god. He is equivalent to Zeus in Greek mythology.Loki- A supernatural trickster who steals Andvaris cursed gold.Hoenir- A Norse god who accompanies Odin and Loki.2.2.3 Connections Between The Lord of the Rings and The Volsunga SagaTable1 Connections Between The Lord of the Rings and The Volsunga SagaCharacters from The Lord of the RingCharacters from The Volsunga SagaExplaining the Connection Between the Two CharactersFrodoSigurdWhile Sigurd is physically stronger than Frodo, both heroes have to combat evil in order to keep hold of a golden ring. In both stories, the ring is cursed. BoromirFafnirBoth Boromir and Fafnirs greed overcomes them and as a result, they betray the people around them. Boromir becomes so obsessed with possessing the ring that he tries to grab it from Frodo and forgets the mission of the Fellowhip, which is to help Frodo destroy the ring. This eventually leads to his death. Fafnirs desire of the treasure, which includes the golden ring, causes him to kill his father and transform into an evil dragon.GollumOtrWhile Otr and Gollum are opposites in terms of good and evil, they are involved in similar situations. In The Two Towers, there is one intstance where Gollum is sitting on a rock by a waterfall searching for some fish to eat. While he is doing this, Frodo is trying to convince Gollum to leave the waterfall to come to him. When he starts moving close to Frodo, he is captured by a group of archers. Similar to Gollum, Otr is at a river fishing when Loki, Odin, and Hoenir capture Otr and skin him.GandalfOdinBoth Gandalf and Odin are powerful magical beings that help Frodo and Sigurd when they are in need. Gandalf, a wizard of supreme power, encourages Frodo that despite his small physical body, he can accomplish the great task of destroying the ring. Odin is the head of the Norse gods, who would be considered an equivalent to Zeus. Whenever Sigurd or any other character in The Saga of the Volsungs faces challenges, Odin is there assisting them to overcome these challenges.EntsBarnstockIn The Lord of the Ring, Ents are the shepards of the trees who help the Fellowship in the battle against Saruman. While Barnstock is a tree that does not exhibit any human emotions or actions, it helps the character Sigmund in furthering his success of his battle conquests. A sword is thrust into Barnstock for Sigmund to pull out, which has some components of the King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table tale.ArwenBrynhildArwen, the daughter of Elrond, King of the Elves, is to some degrees, an elf who helps save Frodo from dying. She uses her power to bring Frodo safely to her homeland. In The Saga of the Volsungs, Brynhild is a warrior woman who gives Sigurd wise advice and he ends up promsing to marry her. While Arwen does not have any sort of a romantic relationship with Frodo, she is similar to Brynhild in that they are both strong female figures.SarumanLokiSaruman is an evil wizard who is set upon preventing Frodo and the rest of the Fellowship from carrying out their mission to destroy the ring. Loki, who is considered a supernatural trickster, prevents the d