Why Does Thor Hate Giants in God of War?
The Origins of Thor’s Hatred
In Norse mythology, the Asgardian god Thor is well-known for his numerous battles against the giant race. But, have you ever wondered why Thor is so passionately opposed to giants in the world of God of War? The answer to this question lies in the backstory of Thor, which dates back to the earliest events of the Norse cosmos.
As the story goes, the giants were not always monstrous beings. In the beginning, giants and gods lived together on the same plane of existence. It was only later, due to the actions of a few, that the giants turned against their benefactors and the stage was set for the eternal conflict between Thor and the giant class.
The Rise of the Gods and the Demise of the Giants
Thor’s early life was marked by the rise to power of the gods in Asgard and the decline of the giants. At the dawn of time, Odin, Thor’s father, led a mighty army to banish the giants to the far corners of the universe, and the gods had finally secured a place for themselves in the cosmos.
Fighting for his Family, Homeland, and Honor
Thor hates giants because they remind him of Ymir, the original giant whom Odin and his brothers killed as part of their expansionist project. This event instilled an eternal enmity between gods and giants, and every time a giant appears in the world of Men, Thor sees himself standing in as the champion of order and justice to protect his people.
**Thor’s Rage and Righteousness
Thors’ primary motivation behind his hatred for the giants is his obligation to protect his family and those he values. His parents, Odin and Frigga, were there for him during difficult times, giving him the strength he needs to face new challenges. In other words, these giants represent his family: his father who was forced to take the oath of the sons of Odin, his grandfather who was so powerful that giants were feared of him, or his mother.
Thor, the God of Thor
Thor as the God of Thors, his son, is, thus, a direct answer to the rage and righteousness fueled by anger and frustration and the need for justice. The only way in which Thor was able to ensure the safety of his friends and family when they were in harm’s reach was to destroy, or worse, the giants before they grew strong enough.