Thor is one of the most well-known figures from Norse mythology. As the god of thunder, strength, and hammers, his iconic weapon Mjolnir is recognized worldwide. However, Mjolnir was not the only thing special about Thor. He had many powerful animals and servants that aided him on his adventures. Two such creatures were his divine goats Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr. This essay will explore the story of these goats based on Neil Gaiman’s version in Norse Mythology and discuss why they were so important to Thor and why the Norse people held the god in such high regard.
The Divine Goats Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr
In Gaiman’s telling, the goats are referred to as Snarler and Grinder. They were said to be strong, intelligent beings that could understand language. Due to these traits, they had fierce pride and stubbornness that made them difficult to tame. In his youth, Thor saw the mighty horses of the Elves and vowed to find the strongest mounts. His trickster brother Loki suggested he break the two billy goats, who were lords among their kind. All summer Thor tried in vain to subdue their immense pride, but the goats always flung him off. Finally, Thor went to the dwarves and obtained the magic leash Bregd Thrall, which allowed him to master any creature. Thus, Snarler and Grinder joined Thor’s side and became his swift riding companions on long journeys.
As divine animals, the goats had the power to revive after being slaughtered. This came in handy during Thor’s trips, as he could kill and eat the goats, then use magic to resurrect them. But Loki knew the catch – their bones could not be broken during consumption. One fateful night, Thor and Loki stopped at a poor family’s home for shelter. Seeing their hunger, Thor slaughtered Snarler and Grinder to feed everyone. However, Loki manipulated the young boy Thialfi into breaking and eating Grinder’s bone marrow. The next morning, when Thor resurrected the goats, Grinder was injured, revealing Thialfi’s disobedience.
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Thor’s Mercy and Influence on the Norse
Faced with betrayal, Thor’s rage was fearsome to behold. Yet he showed mercy, allowing Thialfi to follow him as a servant to atone, while keeping the boy’s family safe. Thor’s ability to be both mighty and compassionate resonated strongly with the Norse people. Though a war god, he aided the weak and vulnerable. His provision of food to the hungry family through slaughtering the goats demonstrated this. By bringing justice but also forgiveness, Thor earned immense respect from Norse society. His representation of strength combined with kindness explained the prevalence of Mjolnir imagery in Norse homes – a symbol of protection and solving problems through appealing to Thor’s fair nature.
Modern Interpretations
Scholars have interpreted the divine goats as representing Thor’s ability to provide sustenance in harsh conditions. Their resilience matched Thor’s own fortitude. As he relied on Snarler and Grinder for transport, so too did farmers depend on livestock. Their connection to life, death and rebirth paralleled the cycles of nature. More symbolically, the goats embodied primitive energies and untamed spirits that Thor, as a sky-god, had to master. Only by subduing fierce forces could order be imposed. Loki’s manipulation of Thialfi also demonstrated how unchecked appetites could lead communities astray if not reigned in by a judicious leader like Thor.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the divine goats Snarler and Grinder held deep significance for the Norse, as animals closely tied to their god of strength and agriculture, Thor. Through providing meat, transport and representing primal powers, the goats aided Thor’s role in imposing structure. Combined with his ability to wisely balance mercy with justice, Thor earned immense devotion from Norse communities, who saw in him protection, sustenance and moral leadership. The story of Snarler, Grinder and Thor’s response to betrayal sheds light on why he was so beloved and his symbol Mjolnir so ubiquitous in Norse society.
