The Death of Baldr
Loki’s Cruellest Trick
Baldr is the shining, much-loved son of Odin and Frigg. When he begins having frightening dreams about his death, his mother tries to make him completely safe. Nearly everything in the world promises not to harm him. The gods turn his new invulnerability into a game, throwing weapons that bounce harmlessly away. Only Loki searches for the weakness. He discovers that mistletoe was considered too young to swear the promise and uses it to bring about Baldr’s death. I think this story is especially sad because everybody’s attempt to defeat fate helps it come true.
The main continuous account appears in Snorri Sturluson’s Prose Edda, while poems including Baldrs draumar and Völuspá preserve important parts of the tradition. The sources do not always tell every event in the same way. Snorri brings the pieces together into a detailed tragedy, but some elements were already known to poets centuries earlier.Baldr dreams that his life is in danger. Odin rides Sleipnir down towards the world of the dead and awakens a seeress to question her. She reveals that preparations are being made in Hel for Baldr and that his blind brother Höðr will be involved in his death. She also predicts that Odin will father Vali, who will avenge Baldr when only one night old. Frigg travels through the world collecting oaths from fire, water, metals, stones, earth, trees, illnesses, animals, birds and poisons. Each promises not to hurt her son. She does not demand an oath from mistletoe because it seems young and harmless. That tiny exception becomes the opening Loki needs.
The gods celebrate by shooting arrows at Baldr, striking him with weapons and throwing stones. Nothing injures him. Loki disguises himself as a woman and questions Frigg. She explains that mistletoe alone has not sworn the oath. Loki finds it, shapes it into a dart or shaft and returns to the gathering. Höðr stands outside the game because he is blind and has no weapon. Loki offers him the mistletoe and guides his aim. The missile passes through Baldr, who falls dead. The gods are struck silent. Höðr performs the throw, but Loki deliberately discovers the weakness, makes the weapon and directs his hand.⬅ Back
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