According to Norse tradition the World Serpent (Jormungandr) was one of three monstrous children of Loki (the trickster god) and the giantess Angrboda. The serpent grew at an alarming rate and the gods threw him into the sea. In the depths of the ocean the serpent continued to grow until he encircled the earth and lay with his tail in his mouth. Up to now Snorri Stulusson's rendition of the Norse serpent myth has been taken as genuine pagan belief. The gist can be summarised as follows...Thor disguises himself as a young boy and pays a visit to the Giant Hymir. During Thor's stay Hymir decides to go on a fishing trip. Thor wants to go with him and Hymir reluctantly agrees providing that his guest finds his own bait. Thor finds Hymir's biggest ox and pulls its head off.
They both set out to sea in Hymir's fishing boat. Thor rows out too far and Hymir begins to panic in case the Midgard Serpent attacks them. Thor gets out the ox's head, fastens it to a sturdy hook and hurls it over the side. The serpent takes the bait straight away and pulls back in fury as the hook bites into its mouth. Thor exerts his divine strength, his feet reaching to the bottom of the sea and draws the writhing serpent up to the boat. Fearing for his life Hymir cuts the line allowing the serpent to escape. Thor throws his hammer at the retreating serpents head but misses, furious he knocks Hymir into the sea.
The prophecy of Ragnarok tells that Thor's failure to kill the serpent bodes disaster. The serpent will be Thor's death and bereft of their defender the other gods will fall victim to an army of giants and monsters. (Thorshof)
