12/16/19 Ryan Chee PD7 (Late)

Ryan Chee

12/16/19

Aim: How can we introduce Norse mythology by studying their philosophies.

First we did the do now:

We went on the link and responded to the quote with our own thoughts and interpretations.

Many students had agreed that in mythology, heroes are often self sacrificing and choose to give up their lives for the greater good. Other perspectives were that it was better to die making an impact and facing your reality than to just give up. To give up would be to basically lose your purpose of living. To the Norse, dying in battle was the best thing that could happen to you. Being brave and honorable by fighting for your people in a war would get you into Valhalla.

Next we read about the different world in Norse mythology:

Jotunheim is actually the land of the devourers, not the giants. This was probably a translation lost in time. The people of Jotunheim are just regular people. 

Also Niflheim and Helheim are both the same place. They are both ruled by the goddess Hel.

Whole Group Discussion:

The creation of a land of gods where distraction is inevitable can be seen as a glimmer of hope for humans. Eventually, everything will end so why not live your life to the fullest right now. If you know that you will die eventually, it’s better to leave a legacy or make any imap t on the world. You have to make due with what you have and make the best of it. Another point brought up was that the Norse have always endured for most of their lives. They are born in a cold climate where survival is tough. To have made it past childhood is already a tough feat. Just imagine what they could do as a full grown adult. 

Pair Share:

To slay is to kill in a brutal way. Valhalla is deemed hall of the slain since those who want to enter must have died fighting, usually in a war to protect their people. The existence of Valhalla proves to be motivational for the Norse to die in battle. It can be considered a reward for their hard work, to be respected by others for their deeds. To die fighting is very honorable and their is no higher reward in their mind then to die and go to Valhalla. There they will get to fight together with Odin during Ragnarok. 

Niflheim was hell for the Norse. The Christians has took the idea of hell from the Norse and turned it into a place of destruction and inferno. To the Norse however, eternal coldness was a much more harsh punishment. Those who did nothing in their life(did not fight or die a brave death in battle) were sent here to be punished. Here they would continue to laze around and suffer a never ending freezing torture.

Whole Group Discussion:

Women depicted by the Norse were more important to men. In comparison to the Greeks where women were treated as possessions, Norse women had numerous responsibilities. On top of having to take care of the home and children, they would also volunteer to fight as well.

Reflection: 

The Norse have a very interesting outlook on life. Most of their life consists of fighting and enduring harsh conditions. What I find interesting is their idea of an afterlife. In order to get to the afterlife, there is no need for having done good deeds or having good morals. What they considered most important was to have died bravely and honorable. If you sacrificed yourself and went into a war despite knowing your imminent death, you were respected and allowed to go to Valhalla. Even in the afterlife, they would still continue to prepare to fight. It is just a never ending battle however they never give up. To them, giving up would just mean that their life has basically ended and there is no more meaning to living.