Trickster

Trickster

He was the progeny of the giants Farbauti and Laufey and Odin was his blood-brother ("Loki" 1). He is recounted "as the contriver of all fraud and bears many names that reflect his character as a deceiver" ("Loki" 1). The Aesir considered him one of their own and at times, their enemy. Loki is a shapeshifter and can adopt any form. He is a complex character, possessing the attributes of a scheming conniver and a daring malcontent. While he  lived with the Aesir, Loki became progressively worse through his behavior. The end result culminated in Balder's death. ("Loki") With his mistress Angrboda, the giantess, he sired three monsters "the goddess of death, hel, the monsterous serpent surrounding the world, Jormungand, and the wolf Fenrir" ("Germanic Religion and Mythology" 9).  "Loki's long suffering wife Sigyn stayed by his side to the very end ("Loki").

Loki is the prototypical con man. In Eddic narratives, he is portrayed as helping his brethren sort out problems caused by him from the outset. Demonstrations of Loki's propensities are in the tales of Sif's sheared hair, or the orchestration of Idunn's kidnapping and rescue. Loki's schemes were aided through his proficiency at will to change sex or form ("Loki" 2). Loki's "generally course disposition, as well as his hostilitility towards the other Norse gods is well attested" ("Loki" 2). The Lokasenna describes a portentous visit to Asgard hall where Loki proceded to defame, mock, and insult everyone in attendance. Various tales reference his disceptions, numerous thefts and preconceived murder of Balder. Loki's ultimate destiny was to lay at Ragnarok, where he would play his evil role to the bitter end ("Loki" 2). "Loki gradually becomes god and devil combined, and ends by being an exact counter part of the mid-evil lucifer, the prince of lies, the originator of deceit, and the backbiter of the Aesir" (Guerber 7).

"Germanic religion and mythology." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2010. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 07 Nov. 2010 <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/231102/Germanic-religion-and-mythology>.

Guerber, H. A. Myths of Northern Lands. New York: American Book Company, 1895. Print.

"Loki." Encyclopedia Mythica. 2010. Encyclopedia Mythica Online.29 Oct. 2010 <http://www.pantheon.org/articles/l/loki.html

"Loki."New World Encyclopedia. 3 Apr 2008, 23:37 UTC. 30 Oct 2010, 21:37 http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Loki?oldid=687165.

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