1/10/20 Ruby Li Period 8

Ruby Li   #14

Period 8

Aim: How are love and the act of sacrifice intertwined?

Do Now: kahoot

Class Discussion: Does sacrifice always necessitate love, or can a person make a sacrifice without any feelings?

• It’s hard to sacrifice something if you have no emotions about anything at all 
• It depends on how strong you feel about something → sacrificing your life for a husband/wife

Sacrifice

What are some examples of sacrifice from modern culture? How are they portrayed? 

• Christ sacrificing himself to take on the suffering of humanity

Frey

• Strongest of Vanir gods
• God of fertility, power of weather
• Son of the sea god, Njord
• Ruler of Alfheim, world of the light elves
• Went to Valhalla with Skirnir to see where Odin was to make sure he could sit in Odin’s chair without getting caught
• Wanted to find out what he was missing in his life, ends up seeing giantess Gerd and becomes distraught over not being able to marry her

Frey’s Sword

• Has the power to fight by itself and will protect its wielder from any attack
• Can fight off Surtr’s flaming sword
• Was given away in exchange for the hand of the giantess Gerd to his servant, Skirnir
• Had to wait 9 days before he was able to be happy again upon marriage
• Frey is doomed to die at Ragnarok without his sword

Short term → got to marry Gerd

Long term → would regret giving his sword away when Ragnarok comes around

Hymir

• Stepfather of Tyr, god of war, giant king
• Has a grumpy personality and wants to kill Thor for killing giants
• Often came home roaringly drunk and angry
• Owned a massive magic cauldron that could make mead upon command, said to be the greatest tasting mead in the world
• Enjoyed going fishing, loved tending to his enormous cows

His cauldron magically brews mead 

Hymir made a bet with his cauldron → he cares about it and values his cauldron highly; cauldron could brew mead → something that is highly valued in Norse society

Thor was a guest and he couldn’t say anything about him killing one of his prized herd

Norse valued honesty and humility → don’t wager something you don’t want to lose (hubris); honor → highly valued honor → Hymir went through with his promise

Sacrifice in Norse Culture

• What do these stories imply or reveal about sacrificial deeds in regards to how the Norse saw them? Where else do we see this view of sacrifice from the Norse in a major way?
• Valhalla → warriors that have died honorably (honor)
• Big symbol of sacrifice
• What are the consequences?
• Frey dies in Ragnarok
• Tyr sacrificing his hand 

Reflection

Doing this project and listening to the lessons that have been learned so far has made me realize that the Norse really treasured the concept of honesty and honor. This could be due to where they lived and how they had to survive. It could also be because there was a Christian influence on their stories due to the fact that most of their myths weren’t written down. From this story specifically, the concept of honor and keeping one’s promise is very prominent. There is also the idea of sacrificing something to achieve something you want. I feel like the concept of keeping one’s promise is important. There are times now that I feel like the concept of honor is slipping from people’s minds.