Research Paper on:
The Giant Loki in Norse Mythology

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
known to be the god of mischief, a trickster, and very cunning. After causing the death of Balder, he was bound by the gods until the "Ragnarok" (Norse mythologys  equivalent of Armageddon), at which time he will be freed (Leeming, 1981). In this essay, I shall analyze Lokis character based upon my readings and rather extensive research.  It is my opinion, that the giant is not at all as genuinely mischievous (in a negative sense) as he appears to often be stereotyped. It  is by no means easy to adequately describe and analyze the multi-faceted character of Loki without ending up with traits that in many ways support, but also in many ways  contradict each other. For example, as was stated, Loki was the blood-brother of Odin, but he simultaneously has proven himself to be the arch-enemy of Odin after having caused  Baldrs death: Adding to this contradiction is how Loki can, with remarkable ease, travel from Asgarr to Jotunheim and back, feeling almost just as much at ease in either (de  Vries, 1933). I find that three major strands in his character can be discerned, however: Loki as the instigator of conflicts, Loki as the provider and Loki as the transgressor  of boundaries. II. Loki : The Instigator of Conflicts When Loki appears in a myth called "the Eddas," it is mostly in his role of Instigator  of Conflicts: because of some unfortunate circumstance he is forced to act not according to his own volition but to that of others. Most often his loyalties to the Aesir  are in conflict with a promise given to the giants. On other occasions, he has given advice that would have led the Aesir into destruction, had he not managed