Gone Medieval Ragnarok & The End of the World
Oct 17, 2025
Dive into the fascinating world of Norse mythology as the hosts unravel the epic tale of Ragnarok. Explore the chilling prophecy of the Fimbulwinter, where monsters unleash chaos in a bleak winter. Discover the colorful etymology of the term 'Ragnarok' and how it reflects the Viking mind. Delve into the symbolic battles between gods like Thor and Jormungandr. The discussion even ties Ragnarok's destruction to contemporary environmental anxieties and highlights the enduring nature of renewal amidst catastrophe. A blend of myth, history, and hope awaits!
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Ragnarok As Cataclysm And Cycle
- Ragnarok combines fire, ice, and social collapse into a single cataclysmic vision of the end of the world.
- The tale stitches earlier myths and monsters into a fatalistic but cyclical narrative of destruction and renewal.
Two Meanings Behind 'Ragnarok'
- The word 'Ragnarok' can mean either 'fates of the gods' or 'twilight of the gods' depending on the form used.
- Snorri's variant 'Ragnaröcker' popularised the 'twilight' sense in later literature.
Gosforth Cross Blends Christian And Norse
- Eleanor cites the Gosforth Cross in Cumbria as archaeological evidence mixing Christian and Norse imagery related to Ragnarok.
- The cross shows Loki bound, Heimdall blowing his horn, and Vidar stepping into a wolf's mouth.
