Norse Myth: The Apples Of Idun Quiz

Answer: A dwarf

Ivaldi was a dwarf and so dwelt in Nidavellir. He, like his sons, was a great craftsman and was said to turn to stone if he was exposed to sunlight. Idun was unlike her father or her brothers both in terms of appearance and personality. She was fair to look upon and was kind to others.

The sons of Ivaldi were held by some as the finest craftsmen in the nine worlds and they feature prominently in the story of the six gifts to the gods (which I will cover later).

Answer: Golden

Because the gods descended from Borr and the giantess Bestla, they were not naturally immortal and so had to constantly eat the apples of Idun to replenish their youth. Likewise, the Greek gods were said to eat and drink ambrosia and nectar to achieve immortality.

Gold is a common feature of Norse mythology - it is much sought after by the dwarves and is also prized amongst the gods (the golden Mead of Poetry, the golden hair of Sif, the golden necklace of Brisings, etc).

Answer: Midgard

Although created by Odin with his brothers Vili and Ve, there was still much of the world that had not been seen by the gods. There were many tales of exploration, such as the journey of Heimdall, the watchman of the gods, into Midgard under the name Rig. Midgard was looked upon kindly by the gods, who seemed to care for men more than any other race. The gods also protected humans from their enemies, the giants.

Odin, as mentioned, was one of the first gods and was known as the "Allfather" due to being the biological father of many other gods. Loki's origins are more unknown, and he has been described as both a giant and a god. He worked antagonistically with the gods in Asgard and his corrosive personality eventually caused his banishment. Honir is also rather unknown. He, in place of Vili and Ve, is sometimes attributed with helping Odin create man and woman.

Answer: Their meat refused to cook

As the three gods travelled, they became tired and hungry and so killed an ox, cut it into sizeable chunks and began to roast it on the fire. After a time, they realised that the meat was still raw, and they could not understand why. The large staring eagle was then noticed and, when addressed by Odin, revealed that it was behind the uncooked meat.

Eagles are prominent in Norse mythology, and many gods take the form of the great bird, such as Odin in the tale of the Mead of Poetry.

Answer: He was being dragged by the bird and was in pain

The eagle agreed to allow the meat of the gods to cook, but only if it could have a share. Once cooked, the bird tried to take all of the meat and so angered the gods. Loki stabbed at it, but found he could not let go of his stick and was dragged along the ground by the eagle.

In agony, Loki was forced to promise that he would bring Idun and her apples to the eagle. It was agreed that Loki would bring her to Midgard a week later.

Answer: Apples as fine as her own

As mentioned, Loki was well known for his tricks and the trouble he caused for the gods. Indeed, Norse mythology would be a much duller place without the trickster. Initially, his deeds were merely mischievous, such as the shaving of Sif's hair and the theft of the necklace of Brisings, but with time he became more and more evil. Nevertheless, he stayed in favour with the gods, partly by getting the gods out of the trouble which he caused (e.g. preventing the mason's completion of the wall of Asgard) and partly by referring back to the vow of brotherhood he had entered with the influential Odin.

Answer: A storm giant

The race of giants, or Jotun, were said to derive from Ymir, the frost giant and first being in the universe. They were forever fighting against the gods, ever since Odin, Vili and Ve killed the great Ymir. Despite this, there are several tales of love and marriage between the two races, such as Odin with Gunnlod, Njord and Skadi, Loki and Angrboda, and Frey and Gerd.

Whilst the Vanir were associated with the beauty of nature - fertility, flora and fauna - the giants were linked with the harshness of nature - storm, frost and fire.

Answer: Bragi

Bragi was the son of Odin and the giantess Gunnlod. He is strongly associated with the tale of the Mead of Poetry and was the god of poetry and elegance. Seeing Idun walking on the surface of the earth (she was normally underground with her family), Bragi took her as his bride and both were accepted into Asgard.

The gods in this tale are seen to age rapidly and take on characteristics typical of the elderly, such as repeating stories, not finishing sentences and complaining.

Answer: A falcon

Heimdall, the watchman of the gods, had seen Loki leading Idun over Bifrost to Midgard, and alerted the gods of this. (Some sources claim that it was a servant of Heimdall who gave this information.)

Loki was forced to agree to retrieve Idun, partly because of the threats of violence from Odin, and partly because he did not want himself to become old, as he saw himself as amongst the more beautiful of the gods.

To become a falcon, Loki borrowed the falcon skin of Freya.

Answer: A nut

Idun was locked in a room in the mountain home of Thiazi in stormy Thrymheim, but she refused to relinquish any of her apples.

Loki flew into the room of Idun whilst Thiazi was out fishing. Idun was initially unhappy to see the one who had given her over to Thiazi, but was soon persuaded that this was her only way back to Asgard. Turning her into a nut, Loki grabbed Idun in his talons and began his journey home. This was seen by Thiazi, who transformed once more into an eagle and chased Loki. As Thiazi was about to catch the trickster, the other gods raised a fire which burned the storm giant, who fell and was killed.

The apples were then given to the gods, whose youth and immortality was restored.