The Messed Up Origins of RAGNAROK | Norse Mythology Explained

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▼ Timestamps ▼
» 0:00 - The End of the World As We Know It
» 1:36 - Fimbulvetr (Fimbulwinter)
» 5:15 - Before the Battle
» 9:33 - The Battle
» 19:07 - The New World
» 25:08 - The REAL Ragnarok
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▼ Credits ▼
» Researched by: Jon Solo & Mary Tuck
» Written & Directed by: Jon Solo
▼ Resources ▼
» my favorites: messeduporigins.com/books
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▼ Art Sources ▼
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» Hel in Throne: Sam Flegal: www.fatefulsigns.com/gods-god...
#godofwarragnarok #ragnarok #mythologyexplained

[@JonSolo]

🔥 HAPPY RAGNAROK, EVERYONE!🔥 👕 Shop the Underworld Overlords x Kinjiro Drop! 👉 meremortals.store

[@paulmoore4653]

Does Skadi fight in ragnarok in Norse myth

[@franxz4401]

Mr. Solo, I got bot-ed again.

[@phenomcosmic450]

The reason Baldur's death causes Fimbulwinter is not only because his death is prophesized to be the final sign of Ragnarok it is because Baldur is the God of Light, his death causes the Sun and Moon to be devoured leaving no light to warm the Realms and in doing so Winter sets in and never leaves. It is said to become so cold that even Yggdrasil's branches start shattering and all bonds both physical and emotional unravel. It is this cold which turn Gleipnir and Loki's chains fragile enough for both Loki and Fenrir to escape, both with a vengeance against the Gods. An entire series of Dominoes are lined up and they all start to fall into place with the death of Baldur who is the Lord of Light.

[@theoleivald7388]

Cool, I’ve never heard that about Fimbulwinter before. Almost sounds like a parallel to when Kratos killed Helios in GoW 3 which caused the sun to be blocked by the clouds and eventually famine and chaos spreading through Greece.

[@fire083]

Thank you, I honestly had no clue what specific role Baldur filled in the Norse pantheon. Because yeah the symbolic death of the light that warms the realms is a good reason for long as heck winter.

[@phenomcosmic450]

@@theoleivald7388 The key difference between the Greek and Norse worlds is that the default for the Greeks was chaos a primordial ooze state always in motion and out of control. It is the gods who manufacture order while in the Norse realm the universal default is cold and nothingness in the ginnungagap and the gods manufactured warmth to stave off that cold. The Greek world starts as too much action, the Norse world starts as inaction or emptiness between Muspel and Niffle

[@theoleivald7388]

@@phenomcosmic450 That I can agree on since I live in cold cold Sweden and every winter here feels like Fimbulwinter🥶 But cool, sounds like Greek and Norse mythology are in some ways complete opposite’s in some ways.

[@08gameplaya]

But isn't Frey the god of summer where is he since he represent the middle ground in the story.

[@ChowdiusPupperMemusII]

Could you please do some Asian mythology sometime? You’ve taught mythologies better than google ever could for me.

[@jeffystevens]

I love how the writers managed to stay grounded to the original story whilst still making their own. Usually with this sort of thing it's either an attempted 1:1 copy , or a completely different story with a few of the original names sprinkled in.

[@jimsus69]

Me too. That exact fact is what kept me interested.. they did an assassins creed style job of changing history for fun in a "what if the bad guy won?" kind of approach to re telling the tales.. and while the GOW writer really did terrible job executing some of the fictional tales,it kept me interested still.

[@mrrobluxo2369]

Some people were upset with that because they felt they took too many liberties but I liked it honestly

[@idonotknow180]

I like to think the last 9 steps taken by Thor is him going through every realm until he reaches the realm he is standing in.

[@DarrenHurst56]

16:09 I just want to bring up something around this time in the video: GOW 2018 & Ragnarok referenced the Thor/Eitr thing. (Eitr is the name of Jormie's venom) In GOW 2018, when you first meet Jormie by throwing your axe into the lake, he spits it back at you, with a message that pops up that says "Eitr imbued." This gets carried over to GOW Ragnarok when Thor and Kratos fights. You see, normally, Thor can recover from any wound like it's nothing. But when Kratos struck him in the stomach with the Leviathan, that wound never healed.

[@michaelpenirelli9003]

I didnt noticed that! That's cool. This whole time I was wondering why his wound didn't heal. I know there was a line of dialogue about Forsetti believing Thor was poisoned but I didn't know what that was about or what part of the story I missed. Thanks!

[@DarrenHurst56]

@@michaelpenirelli9003 anytime my friend. You really got to love all of these really cool references and attention to detail that Santa Monica has with this game and the real life mythologies

[@theoleivald7388]

I get the feeling that Ragnarok symbolises the end of Norse mythology and the beginning of Christianity in Scandinavia. “Brothers killing brothers and father killing sons” might be family’s getting divided due to some members converting while other don’t, which led to conflict and murder. Also that thing about a greater god than Odin sounds a bit like the Christian god taking the Norse gods place just like I previously wrote. This is just my theory and I might as well be wrong but I do think it’s interesting how Norse mythology has a very detailed story of its own end, so it almost had to happen in some shape or form and later became a part of the greater mythology.

[@user-dg4nr4um8j]

I agree, and only two humans remain to repopulate the world. That sounds like Adam and Eve to me.

[@itzryker6424]

Depending on which version of the story you read you might be right. Since some of the newer stories of ragnarok from that time might have be slightly under Christian influence

[@OGStarlightKY]

I 100% agree that Fimbulvetr was an actual historical event. I had watched a Weird History video on 546 AD and I just made the connections in my head. And as a man of faith, I believe that these gods from different cultures actually existed as either fallen angels, or Nephilim. Mythology is so interesting and I wish the Roman Catholics had left the history untouched.

[@Lordoftheabyssvoid]

Historical event interesting fall angels hmmmmm I seee pls explain I already know about the fallen angels had children with humans but how does a freeze fimbulvetr come in

[@franxz4401]

Ragnarok would make for a badass heavy metal movie.

[@kiyblackmoon]

Seeing Kratos and Loktreus take down Odin was chef kisses

[@TristanMA]

Richard Wagner in his Ring calls it Götterdämmerung and it features the famous Siegfried's Funeral March.

[@teefa85]

One of my favorite representations of Ragnarok in gaming is Odin Sphere. It's not super accurate to the Eddas, but it uses elements of the Norse endtimes in very creative ways (like with Fimbulvetr being an actual character who dies before the apocalypse could begin or how they interpret the Surtr character versus Yggdrasil).

[@NameNotNumbers]

"That's fimbulwinter for ya."

[@mortenhyvejle]

This is kinda nostalgic. Up here in Scandinavia a lot of us grew up with these stories.

[@alkatraz706]

I'm early and I love it! thank you Jon. cheers from the Philippines! 🍺🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭

[@metaichan]

I'd love to see more Irish Celtic lore covered. Have you considered doing a video on Morrigan?

[@ElfFreak]

I mean, in the original myth one brother is killed by another, which is mentioned as fimbulvetr's everyday routine, additionally, there may be connection between grieving Baldur's mother, who is associated with nature, just like ancient greeks associated winter season with Persephone's mother grief over her in the Hades' realm.

[@silentstormur9184]

I picked up the Edda's about a year ago, I didn't even think to check about the translators. The Poetic Edda that I have is translated by Lee M. Hollander, the Prose is translated by Jesse Byock. Where do you go to find out which versions are more reliable? Now I'm scared I've been reading the wrong ones lol

[@gardenerjpg]

been waiting for the video for the last couple of months I’m very happy it’s finally out

[@DanielQualls-7777]

I think the Nords were right, when the great Baldur dies, Fimblvetr will arise. An alpha winter4 doesnt sound too farfetched to me.

[@hydragamedev6920]

9:34 sponsored segment ends

[@aminkahorkova2511]

That volcano erruption sounds like Yellowstone volcano. Its said that exactly the same thing should happen if Yellowstone errupts.

[@OrpheusRGB]

Woahh, I literally just finished God of War: Ragnorok this morning! Amazing timing, Jon Solo!! 😄

[@childofgreen2847]

Love Norse myths

[@katiekoo-koohead2551]

I was saying the entire time "sooooo the little ice age then you basically confirmed it"

[@JuanGarcia-tu4yj]

Can we just say how screwed Jörmungandr is in the game just an endless cycle of being reborn just to get punched back in time for pretty much eternity

[@SaveUsDCS2003]

As always "Jon shot first!"

[@marcusblackwell2372]

One thing you forgot to mention: In the myths, Ratatoskr is responsible because of his little gossip war between Nidhogg and someone else on the world tree that I forgot the name of

[@belizeankage]

The eagles that are perched up in Yggdrasil

[@marcusblackwell2372]

@@belizeankage Thanks

[@KERRYPIKE]

This Ragnarok organ story is great.

[@magnus2292]

Ragnarok has arrived

[@bruisebruise1341]

A new hand touches the beacon

[@TheOnlyKillena]

Um...yeah you were so so right. This was an episode worth the wait and the watch. I love all your videos. But this one was top notch. Remember I shot 2nd. Lol 🍻 ❤

[@Blahblahblah453]

It’s Viking time!

[@tylertomlinson3865]

Good story

[@trashboat115]

I’ve always loved mythology specifically Greek but because of marvel and other things I grew and interest in Thor and the folklore of the nords. Great vid as always very informative and the fact that ragnorok may have very likey been a real even is not only mind blowing but seriously awesome to have real life inspiration

[@Malvo818]

Noticed the feathers on the Valkeries….repurposed roosters?

[@eccentrificalchris2706]

Im at the beginning of the video deeply thinking about how to actually get a burger to a chimp at a zoo. I don’t think there is an easy way without being kicked out of the zoo. But you can probably quickly chuck one over the top of a large glass if there is one or through a chain link fence maybe.

[@YoungReezyonYT]

A lot of researchers think Fimbulwinter was based on the volcanic eruption of 536, and it probably is the most likely answer

[@SilverJ17]

Valkyrie Profile is another game with Ragnarok in it. The original game, aka Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth has it as the endgame.

[@IronDragoon13]

Thanks Jon for another video!

[@Fromdowntown_76]

What if the god of war games are just the story of how kratos be come God

[@josepheyer4154]

You remind me of "Zeus Grants Stupid Wishes" A No-Bullshit Guide to World Mythology

[@lafregaste]

It could easily be a mix of both, most folklore is.

[@alanhilder1883]

It was brought on when a couple of lawyers got Odin being obsessed with fresh linen sheets, ad the powerful new god come from a discarded fridge. ( Douglas Adams )

[@BookofRom]

THANK YOU JON

[@ZeldaSam1]

13:00 I REALLY hope Astraeus gets a solo game!!!

[@TigersRforever]

You're amazing Jon!!! Don't ever stop being your nerdy self!

[@riftwytch]

A lot of the tale reminds me of the events leading up to a solar micronova, although it would have taken place much earlier than the volcanic eruptions mentioned. Who knows?

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

Winter is coming!

[@coreygilliam8533]

My fav game ever. So beautiful and so perfect for me

[@mattking4946]

I didn't even get a notification yet I just happened to see it it's fate

[@michaelharris7918]

I support you 100 percent don't stop do all the mythology you can I would like to see you cover native American mythology some day. I watch all your mythology videos you are appreciated

[@sirpug]

24:45 Jesus be breaking lucifer's ankles

[@chonda38]

You should do American Gods the ones you haven’t covered Breakdown

[@IAmNotDiluc]

This ones gonna be very interesting

[@VideoGame.fan.621]

Imagine you were Thor and you finally beat your rival and as you’re walking away he’s like 🤮💀

[@SpachelForeman]

Your next video should be on elves on Norse mythology, Alfar, and Ljosalfar

[@mecahhannah]

❤Awesome as always thanks love your videos

[@novatrast4393]

Otsutsuki god in thumbnail

[@MMaki__]

Finished the game yesterday evening at 10pm. Really excited for this video.

[@ycarusgamer5187]

I believe that in the next dlcs or next game we will see 6 gods wanting revenge against Kratos and the death of the Gods and destruction of Asgard like: Forseti,Vidar,Vali,Hela,Hermod And finally, Loki/Atreus himself now as a villain and an adult would be incredible to see + Norse kings and heroes Who can also become news threats and allies as: Gylfi,Fjolnir,Helgi Hundingsbane,Beowulf & Siegfried/Sigurd and peaceful Gods of good that did not appear in the 2 games And they could be allies of Kratos,Mimir,Tyr and Freya such as: Bragi and his wife Idunn,Nana,Meili And finally Ullr and Hodr the Baldur's twin brother and blind God Along with The Return of the Dead Gods and more humans and Valkyries to explore like: Sigyn,Hlin,Fulla,Gefjunn,Bill,Saga,Brunhild etc.. It would be amazing to see them all make a video about possible Villains,Valkyries,Creatures,Gods and Kings That may appear in the future 🤔😌👍🙏🙏 like and Bye!

[@sammcfarlane2494]

Ragnarok has a cliffhanger.

[@Navybrat320]

FINALLYYYY A LONG VIDEOOOO AHHHH I AM SCREAMING THANK YOU LORD

[@pierrebuieii3908]

I liked it thought it was nicely done

[@JasonFennec]

I bet Fjalar would make some amazing Kentucky style fried chicken. His human companion looks like a Norse Colonel Sanders. 07:34

[@CHUBBY_FN]

PLS REPLY JON IM A HUGE FAN

[@InvincibleSummer7]

I believe (and this is just my interpretation) That Vidar is the Ruler mightier than Odin. He's the only one who both battles in AND survives Ragnarok. He succeeds against the monster that slew his father Odin himself (thus fulfilling his role in avenging his kin). His name means 'Wide-Ruler' and his pouring a drink for the father of the monster he slays (Loki) can be thought of as foreshadowing. I think he's an excellent candidate for maintaining cosmic order in this new world.

[@craytherlaygaming2852]

Whats amusing about the fate of Odin, is because of how vague it is, and how its often stated Fenrir "swallowed him whole" . It's very likely Odin was still alive by the time Fenrir was killed... and honestly death could have very well been metaphorical anyways. So Odin would have been faced with the consequences of his long rein, a bloodied battlefield full of corpses with no one left alive to worship him. If thats not a reason to change your name, shapeshift into some average joe and vanish to con template your life's decisions for the next 3000 years, I don't know *what* is.

[@mikryan6567]

As a working class man my dream is to use a bide just before i die, it sounds luxury

[@marred5977]

the quiet chimp telling jon not to come to school tomorrow jon: what

[@TristanMA]

My depiction of Ragnarök includes Bizet's Carmen, Leoncavallo's I Pagliacci, Michel Fokine's Version of Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade, Puccini's Tosca, and Orff's Carmina Burana.

[@TristanMA]

In Götterdämmerung, Siegfried goes to the hall of the Gibichungs (Gunther and Gutrune), is easily corrupted, forgets about Brünnhilde, and meets his end at the hands of Hagen (Son of Alberich). Brünnhilde gives back the ring to the Rhine Maidens with her sacrifice for love, paving the way for a new world of hope and love, cleansed of evil.

[@bartlester591]

I’ll buy all of the above all at the same time

[@hoboonahelo5346]

Keaton and friends looks like a happy fun group to be around until you realize that you’re a Norse god and Kratos is angy at you.

[@Tribalfan88x]

In Christianity it is said that God is the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end. In Norse mythology, Surtr takes that role: He was born from the fires of Muspelheim and became the very first being existing in all the realms, along with his sword. He swung it in training, sending sparks and flames flying; which melted and carved the ice in Jötunheim, creating Ymir, the first of the Frost Giants (along with the primordial cow Audhumbla) At Rgnarök, he will engulf all worlds in flames and ends what he created!

[@Phantom-ina-Phantom]

Saying skinny lil neck to someone who has 20 pounds over you is wild😂😂 lol just playing nice vid

[@bethune1990]

Love the video can we get a Gargoyle breakdowns

[@coffeefirst8718]

The beginning of ragnarok sounds more like nuclear Holocaust

[@lavanyaellur5787]

The animation is cool 😎

[@tristanknight9405]

Jon, You should take a look at the NZ show “The Almighty Johnsons” and evaluate they’re interpretations of Norse Myth!

[@kevingnomen6092]

I believe a lot of these stories from ancient cultures all over the world relate to apocalyptic events of the end of the Younger Dryas.

[@CygnusOrb]

The events brought us into the Older Wetass

[@kevingnomen6092]

Noice one lol

[@GottablastJimbo]

Please cover netflix's Ragnarok. It's one of my favorite shows and I love their betrayal of loki and thor

[@rams8571]

I was just watching the live streams you did on this game the other day

[@GarrettFrechette]

You should do mythology of other video games franchises, even if they don't have lore outside their respective games. Like Zelda and Elder Scrolls, they have huge lore bases. Neat video!

[@jamescody92]

Facts

[@oentrepreneur]

He does videos on mythology, not video games.

[@mijaroprime9509]

That would be cool.

[@mijaroprime9509]

@@oentrepreneurDoesn't mean he can't branch out, he used to do videos on nursery rhymes and fairytales then started doing mythology over time so he can do videogames just as easy.

[@adammartin9177]

​@mijaroprime9509 It seems like no matter what kind of comment some makes there's always someone to crap all over it. Usually some miserable know it all that likes to be snide.

[@rickardberglund1564]

Yes we want to see more of RAGNAROK

[@lantzshepard5810]

I think rangnork is explanation of the end of the world from a meteor storm it’s just used gods and monsters as metaphors

[@jazzminbrailsford8946]

Would you do a video on Lyssa/Lytta the greek goddess of Mad-Rage and Fury? I am a photographer and I am doing some pieces on feminine rage and I think could be a perfect subject / Inspiration with a unique twist but I can't find much in her when I do my research.

[@unconsciousk9]

my only source for eldrith lore 💯

[@brandonwhite9776]

Finally

[@annsofiehansen2111]

I think the theory on the Ragnarok stemming from real life disaster in the years after 536 is spot on. Scandinavian scientists, historians and archeologists agree with that theory. Half of Scandinavia`s population died to starvation, the cold and causes related to those factors. I will bet the survivers told the tale to their children of that horrible calamity and it was such a horrifying tale, that it became a myth about the end of time.

[@Rjf32]

God of war ragnorok is one of the best games ever made

[@FavPeyton]

This is that

[@jacobsigler8436]

God yes, thank you lol 😂

[@user-gh3dz6qh8v]

Loki is actually the one who killed Balder

[@ycarusgamer5187]

Bragi,Idunn,Njord,Ran,Aegir,Forseti,Nana,Hodr/Hoder and Ullr/Uller Along with the Odin's brothers Hoenir,Vili and Vê They exist in the God of war universe But they haven't appeared yet but there are Quotes/references to them but nothing about Hermod,Meili and Vidar & Vali Along with the heroes Beowulf and Siegfried/ Sigurd If they will exist or appear in the next dlcs or next game Imagine the Forseti,Vidar,Vali,Hermod,Hel,the Loki/Atreus He is an adult himself being the next villains With the help of the heroes Beowulf & Siegfried/Sigurd and also the Valkyries and the animals of the Gods Like the Freyr's boar,Thor's goats and Odin's wolves and horse I hope it happens.. UwU Make a video about these forgotten Gods In the game universe 🤔😌👍🥲🥺🙏🙏 like and Bye!

[@shyb7847]

That merch is hot

[@peng1luver259]

Ragnarok in Fire Emblem Heroes? I would like your take on it

[@loneronin6813]

I always thought it would be cooler if Tyr was the one to face down Fenrir, a final climactic yet reluctant battle between former friends. I could just picture them both meeting on the field of battle as tears of remorse shed from their eyes as they prepare to deadlock for a final clash, neither of them wishing to fight, but both knowing they are fated to die opposing one another.

[@FaunaJoy]

So I know Jon asked specifically about depictions of Ragnarok in pop culture, but something I've really been wanting his perspective on is how the shows Hercules and Xena interpreted the various mythologies they crossed paths with, especially since Hercules not only inadvertently caused Ragnarok, but also undid it. Because reasons. Oh and Xena killed almost all the Greek gods. Again, because reasons.

[@guitarman0365]

another nice detail that is VERY easy to overlook and forget about because its a blink and you miss it moment thats never ever talked about in any way ever again lol. In the first game when kratos throws his axe into the water and awakens the world serpent he spits it back to kratos and there is a text pop up that says eityr imbued. It never means anything for the entire game itself but apparently that just means poison. So while jormungandr never technically kills thor in the game ragnarok he does indirectly lead to thors death all the same when the poison left on kratos' axe wounds thors belly. It never heals for this reason. Thor is being slowly weakened and killed over time to the point where he cannot beat kratos anymore despite easily killing kratos the first time without going super electrical powered up like he did at the end. Allowing odin to make the final blow on him.