Odin Research Paper

Odin was known as the Father God or the All-Father and takes on several roles in Norse Mythology. These included that of a war god, but not in the sense of a noble war god such as the battlefield commanders Tyr or Thor. Instead, Odin incites otherwise peaceful people to conflict. Second, Odin was a shaman and was accompanied by several familiar spirits. These included the ravens Hugin and Munin, the wolves Geri and Freki, and the Valkyries. Traditionally a shaman must undergo a ritual death and rebirth in order to procure their powers, and Odin is no exception since he underwent such an experience when he discovered the runes. Finally, Odin was a mystic, constantly searching for wisdom. This meditative side to Odin is not found in other father gods, such as Zeus. It is also different

Because of the method of his creation, he was very powerful and wise and possessed a great skill in the art of poetry. Kvasir was murdered by the two dwarves, who then blended his blood with honey to create the enchanted mead, the Odhroerir. Any person who drank this mead would gain the wisdom and particularly the skill in poetry that Kvasir possessed. This brew was stored in an enchanted cave guarded by the giant Suttung who was very possessive. Odin learned of this enchanted mead and decided he must possess it for himself. Therefore, he disguised himself as the farmhand Bolverk and began to work for Suttung’s brother in exchange for a drink of the mead. For three nights, through various means, Odin managed to bargain with the giantess Gunnlöð to take a sip of the magical brew Odhroerir. However, with each sip, Odin was able to drink an entire horn of the mead. In the end, Odin managed to drink all of the mead and fled in the shape of an