The Influence of Norse Mythology on Contemporary Fantasy Literature

Abstract

This research examines how Norse mythology influences modern fantasy works, demonstrating how old myths, beliefs and cosmologies are adapted, reinterpreted, and woven into modern stories. Norse mythology remains a source of inspiration for writers across different eras and medias due to its epic tales of gods, giants, and apocalyptic prophecies. By analyzing key works by authors such as J.R.R Tolkien and Neil Gaiman, this study investigates how the Norse mythological structures inform world-building, characters, and narrative motifs. It also considers how these reinterpretations reflect modern societal concerns, cultural identity and the human fascination with the myth as a narrative tool. This work aims to trace the transmission of mythic elements from their original cultural context to their reinterpretation in modern literature; while also considering the cultural, psychological, and literary functions these myths serve in contemporary settings. This research uses mythological criticism, intertextuality, and reception theory in the process of analyzing how Norse mythology is adapted to voice modern issues, values and narrative styles. This study focuses on the dynamic relation between myth and fantasy, highlighting Norse mythology as a constantly evolving framework for storytelling, rather than a linear historical asset.