The enigmatic world of trolls in Norse mythology

Not for the first time, Hollywood scoured the rich tapestry of Norse literature for inspiration.

Forget the Hollywood depictions 

Despite recent adaptations of trolls as cute, cuddly sprites, nothing could be further from their actual image in Norse mythology. 

One of the reasons why Norse mythology has enthralled audiences for over a millennium is the huge cast of mythical beings, deities, and creatures. 

Perhaps the best-known of these mythical beings, thanks in part to a late 20th century toy craze (Troll dolls? Who remembers them? Hey there, fellow millennials #nostalgia) and recent movie adaptations, are the trolls. 

Yet if we scour the sagas, myths, and legends of Norse literature, there is nothing "family-friendly" about these mythical creatures. 

In fact, there is much debate about what precisely a troll is. 

If we look at the Old Norse word troll, it has, throughout the many stories and sagas, taken on various meanings depending on the context. 

Modern historians and linguists have pointed out that the term describes a list of mythical beings, including giants, werewolves, or even demons – not the small and cuddly friends that Hollywood created. 

So, if they weren't cute and friendly, what exactly were trolls? 

In the Prose Edda, a seminal work of Norse mythology, the poet Bragi Boddason encounters a female troll in the forest, who intriguingly identifies herself as both a cosmic destroyer and a follower of a magical seeress. Illustration: The Viking Herald

What's a troll, if not that? 

The fact that trolls are not consistently defined in Norse literature presents a problem. 

One thing that most of the trolls depicted in the myths or sagas have in common is that they live far away from human settlements, with cavernous mountains being a particular abode of choice. 

Mountains are a common setting in Norse mythology, not only for the Jötnar - the giants - but also for some of the Æsir gods. 

To reinforce this association with the Jötnar, some depictions of the trolls are said to be gigantic in stature, towering over us mere mortals. 

Other depictions, however, portray them as little different from humans, with no real distinguishing features. 

What makes trolls unusual is that they are occasionally depicted as living with another family member, sometimes a mother and son or a father and daughter. 

It was a female troll that made one of the first appearances in Norse literature in a poem featuring the 9th-century skaldic poet Bragi Boddason. 

In a poem in the second part of the Prose Edda – edited in the 13th century by Icelandic politician and poet Snorri Sturluson but featuring earlier works – Bragi meets a female troll while strolling through the woods. 

When Bragi asks her who – or what – she is, her answer includes being a "destroyer of the storm-sun" and "swallower of the sun" and a follower of a magical seeress. 

She rather enigmatically ends with a question asking Bragi, "What's a troll if not that?" before Bragi goes into detail about his skaldic skills. 

This poem is remarkable in that academics can trace the historical personage of Bragi. 

He was believed to have been in the employ of three kings of the latter 9th century – including the famous Viking warrior Ragnar Lothbrok – but only one of the kings in Sweden (Björn) can be historically verified. 

Trolls, now often seen in a family-friendly light, were known to be depicted in Norse tales as ominous characters, capable of menacing both gods and humans through actions like child abduction and the occupation of remote farms. Illustration: The Viking Herald

Later appearances and evolution 

Conversely to their appearance with Bragi, if we scour the sagas and legends, we can find a few instances of interactions between trolls and Norse gods. 

Surely, the most famous story involving the Norse God of Thunder, Thor, is the Thrymskvida from the Poetic Edda. In this beloved tale, Thor's hammer, the renowned Mjöllnir, is stolen. 

Assisted by Loki, Thor devises an outlandish plan that includes jötnar, a case of mistaken identity, and a series of disguises and costume antics, bringing a rare touch of hilarity to the typically solemn Norse myths. 

One of the creatures guarding a bridge to the land of the Jötnar, where Thor's hammer, Mjöllnir, was taken, is described as a troll. 

Thor and Loki – with a bit of street smarts and teamwork – manage to defeat this deadly fiend that wanted to crush their bones. 

Despite their rebranding as family-friendly creatures in recent times, trolls are often associated with the darkness and chaos of the enemies of the Norse gods and heroes. 

For those mere mortals who are less godly, they also can present a threat, often involved in the kidnapping of human children or even seizing remote and rural farms. 

Scanning through the rich tapestry of Norse literature, we can see that trolls are often frightened of lightning – perhaps a nod to Thor's role as a protector of humans – and, when Christianity had gained a foothold in the Viking world, the pealing of church bells.

The three medieval kingdoms of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden emerged at the end of the Viking Age (c. 750 – 1100), which saw each new nation inherit the rich Norse cultural heritage. 

Folktales and stories soon developed in each country, with trolls being a recurring character. 

Whilst Swedish and Norwegian literature often depict the trolls as dangerous and cunning, Danish tales tended to portray the trolls as more grotesque than sly. 

From Norse sagas to global souvenirs, trolls maintain enduring popularity, embodying diverse roles in Scandinavian folklore and contemporary media. Photo: Øyvind Holmstad / Wikipedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Enduring popularity 

Trolls have captivated audiences for over a millennium with the exploits of these mythical creatures. 

They are often depicted as enigmatic creatures, leaving one to wonder whether they are truly evil or merely a nuisance. 

This ambiguity is set against the backdrop of their association with the rugged wilderness of the Scandinavian homeland, where they are frequently portrayed as dwelling deep within cavernous mountains.

As a testament to their enduring legacy, they have evolved from their appearances in the ancient Norse sagas to become a key component of medieval and early modern Scandinavian folktales. 

Their most recent appearances, from the very late 20th century as both toys and the stars of animated movies, speak of how this mythical creature, first recounted in the Viking Age, is still well-loved into the 21st century. 

For more information on a recent Norwegian adaptation of the troll legend, visit The Canberra Times here. 

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