Hodr

Overview

Hodr’s responsibility in chapter 49 cannot be reduced to simple malice. The passage stresses that he is blind, stands outside the game, and shoots only after Loki persuades and guides him. Baldr’s death therefore carries bodily limitation, outside direction and fatal consequence together.

Key facts

Further spoiler details are available in the interactive atlas.

Relationships

• Lokiguides the shot

  Loki gives the mistletoe to Hodr and guides him to shoot at Baldr.

• Baldrshoots

  Hodr shoots the mistletoe under Loki’s guidance, and Baldr falls.

• Baldris foretold to kill Baldr

  is foretold to kill Baldr

Story appearances

• Baldr's Death and Loki's PunishmentBlind god guided to shoot

  Hodr shoots the mistletoe after Loki provides the shoot and direction.

• RagnarokReturns with Baldr

  Hodr appears with Baldr in the renewal passage.

• Oaths, Treasures and Giant AftershocksName in the death’s aftershock

  Hodr remains beside the vengeance context after Baldr’s death.

• Baldrs Draumar: Odin Seeks an Answer in the UnderworldFigure, place, event, or creature in Baldrs Draumar

  The blind god whom Loki guides into shooting Baldr with mistletoe.

Ancient sources

MythWeave distinguishes ancient-source evidence from later adaptations and modern interpretation.

• Snorri Sturluson, Prose Edda, Gylfaginning, Chapter 49, Loki learns that mistletoe was not sworn, takes the shoot and guides Hodr’s shot
• Snorri Sturluson, Prose Edda, Gylfaginning, Chapter 53, earth rises again, gods return, Baldr and Hodr come back, Mjolnir remains, Lif and Lifthrasir survive
• Anonymous; translated by Henry Adams Bellows, The Poetic Edda: Baldrs Draumar, Stanzas 6–10: the seeress says Baldr’s mead is prepared and names Hodr as the one who will take his life.