In God of War Ragnarok, which arrived as fans waited for the sequel to the 2018 game, many players were shocked by how Thor is presented in the game as a burly man rather than a toned muscleman that most people might be used to seeing. Some players complained about it, but this response also indicates this is a misunderstanding.
A lot of credit goes to Marvel and in general the popular media that changed how people see these gods of Norse mainly making Thor a righteous, handsome man, who does what is right.
But the Thor of the myth is far more multi-faceted, crude, and sinful which can be readily associated with the God of War Thor. Those who are well-versed in Norse mythology, will understand and realize that the representation of Thor in the game is sincere and genuine.
Thor’s Brutal Nature in Mythology
Thor in Norse mythology is not the god of peaceful times, but the god of strength, power, and anger. He is a warrior who uses his hammer, Mjölnir, to great destructive purposes minimizing the lives of giants and all who pose a threat to Asgard.
Although the current image of Thor displays him as a rather noble character, while still retains some temper issues and a fondness for alcohol – the latter of which is certainly true to Thor in God of War Ragnarok.
That is why the appearance of portraying him as a large man who must take up the mantle of justice, rather than the pencil-thin, and ripped adaption seen with superheroes today.
Strength Over Morality
Thor in mythology is a protector but he tends to inflict punishments. It also neglects the fact that he takes on battles not out of a sense of justice or moral responsibility, but because he enjoys it, and everything destructed.
This big strength is appreciated in Norse culture but that does not make him a moral man. In Ragnarok, most of the aspects of Thor’s mythological persona relate to his hammering of opponents without pity.
Thor’s Love of Indulgence
But there is a reason why Thor in the God of War game is depicted as a man who drinks alcohol excessively and overeats. However, Thor has always been portrayed as a man with a big appetite; in the myths, he has been depicted as having eaten an ox in one sitting.
He also consumed beer from a sea-going drinking horn, visible of his even greater gluttony. These characteristics are in accord with mythological Thor and not with the amped-up avenger type that most movies today portray.
Myth vs. Modern Interpretations
Thor has largely been transformed in modern media, especially through the portrayal of Marvel with a different image from that of the traditional supernatural being. However, the gentle picture does not in any way make for the Thor of mythology, who is much more raw.
Marvel’s Heroic Thor
Thor of the Marvel is a brave warrior, who is recognizable by his morality and a code of honor. He’s also muscular, dark, good-looking, and charming in a way that only a superhero can be.
But this is a modern invention. Original Thor was rather surly and hotheaded and his intentions were not particularly noble – he was an avenger, all right, but it was not for justice’s sake, but rather to maintain the gods’ authority.
God of War’s Accurate Interpretation
Thor’s temper, indulgence, and brutal side are all that God of War portrays and hence gets the mythological character right on the money.
This is not a god that triumphs based on right action and doing what is right, but based on force and strength of muscle. This book reveals man as primal, pathological, and predatory. Anyone mad over this version of Thor will probably only be those who have only seen the ”cleaned up” Thor.
