PLEASE NOTE: The following article contains MASSIVE spoilers for God of War Ragnarok.God of War Ragnarok is a worthy ending to the Norse saga in the series, giving its players exciting action, heartfelt moments, and a definitive ending to Kratos and Atreus journey together which started after Laufey’s death. Throughout their journey, the pair have come across some of the most famous figures from Norse mythology, including Thor, Odin, and the giant world serpent, Jormungandr. The giant snake is an important ally in the first game; however, it is in God of War Ragnarok, where his story truly shines.
Jormungandr is a giant snake that encircles the world and is the sworn enemy of Thor. The pair are even destined to kill each other at Ragnarok. He is meant to serve the purpose of transforming Earth upon the onset of Ragnarok and preparing it for the survivors. In mythology, Jormungandr is meant to rise out of the sea and charge toward Asgard along with Loki’s forces, and this action causes the world to flood, killing thousands and leaving only a handful of survivors that will repopulate following the end of Ragnarok.
Jormungandr in Mythology
In Mythology, Jormungandr is the son of Loki and Angrboda and the brother of the great wolf Fenrir, and Hel, the Queen of the Dead. His role in mythology has always been closely tied to his rivalry with Thor, who he is destined to kill during the events of Ragnarok. Prior to Ragnarok, however, and similar to the game, Jormungandr fights Thor multiple times, with each fight ending in a stalemate.
Prior to Ragnarok, Odin learns of the prophecy that the three creatures will assist the forces of Loki in killing the gods and destroying Asgard. Odin chained up Fenrir, sent Hel to the realm of the dead, and threw Jormungandr into the sea. Here, Jormungandr grew to an enormous size. At the start of Ragnarok, he lifts his tail out of the water, sending giant waves across the land and flooding Midgard, thus transforming it and readying it for the new world to rise following the death of the gods.
Jormungandr in God of War: Ragnarok
Jormungandr plays a short role in the entirety of God of War Ragnarok, only appearing three throughout the course of the main storyline. The times he does appear are vital for the success of Ragnarok. The first time, he appears after Atreus and Sindri seek him out and gives Atreus the word Ironwood, which he later learns is the sanctuary of the giants. While in Ironwood, Atreus saves a snake from the giantess Gryla by sealing one of the Jotnar souls into its body which causes it to grow at a rapid rate.
Jormungandr is not seen again by the pair, and it is presumed that he has returned to his resting place in Midgard. But during the final fight in Asgard, the snake that Atreus saved appears and fights Thor. This is how the original Jormungandr was also created, and it gives Atreus and the army led by Kratos a vital ally from prophecy that will help in their fight against Odin. During God of War Ragnarok's final fight in Asgard, Jormungandr is hit by Thor’s lightning and returns back in time to his resting place in Midgard, completing the time travel told of in the first game.
Jormungandr may have had a small role in the game, being confined to only a few scenes, but witnessing his origins and his eventual presence in Asgard shows how well-written God of War Ragnarok’s story truly is. In mythology, he serves as an agent of transformation and plays more of a role for the survivors of Midgard than his siblings. In God of War Ragnarok, however, he is an essential ally to both Kratos and Atreus, allowing Atreus to start inquiring about Ironwood and eventually meeting Angrboda there.
God of War Ragnarok is available now for PS4 and PS5.
