After reading both Greek and Norse mythology, it is clear that there are similarities but there are also glaring differences. A big difference between Greek and Norse mythology is that the gods in Norse mythology are a lot closer to mankind. They get hungry, they get hurt, they die; whereas Greek gods have very little physical connections to mankind. Norse gods also interact with humans a lot more than Greek gods. Zeus would pretty much only head down the mountain to sleep with human women. While In order to get around the nine worlds of the Norse, the gods had to interact with humans and even rely on them (thor leaving his chariot at a farm).
Zeus and Odin are a great comparison for some of the differences between Greek and Norse mythology. Both are leading “all father” gods. Zeus is a lot moodier and definitely more promiscuous. Zeus also likes to “puff out his chest” and assert his power a lot more than Odin. Odin is also arrogant in his own ways. For example when Odin is disguised as Harbard, a ferryman, (in The Lay of Harbard), he goes back and forth with his son Thor about his many accomplishments and why ‘Harbard’ is so much better than the hero Thor.
The timeline for Norse mythology ends While Greek Mythology doesn’t have a definite end. All throughout the Norse readings there were many references to Ragnarok– the final battle. And there isn’t much talk about what happened after Ragnarok since its seen as a sort of end. There is a grand battle in Greek mythology where Zeus and his brothers succeed in overthrowing his father but its shown as a beginning rather than an end. Zeus’ battle is towards the beginning of the Greek mythological world and is an extremely important part. Because without that battle, Zeus and his siblings wouldn’t have any power.
Both Greek and Norse mythology describe how the world came to be. The Norse creation story was a lot more gruesome since its described as the earth being made from a fallen giant. Every part of him was transformed to be a part of the earth and even the sky. His death caused a great flood of his blood where only two humans survive and the oceans were created. (The Creation). The concept of a great flood has been explored by many many religions including the Greeks. But with the greeks, the great flood was a punishment to Prometheus and his creations– man and woman.
Hum 115: World Mythology 
You actually mentioned a lot that I mentioned, which makes me feel as if we are definitely on the right page when it comes to Norse mythology. I mentioned that Zeus usually only left Olympus to sleep with women, while Odin does it for a variety of reasons and I love that you pointed that out as well, same with how Norse gods are very human-like unlike Greek gods. I do believe there are some similarities, but love all the differences you pointed out because there is certainly more differences. If I didn’t know Norse myth, and I read your post, I feel like I would of understood it and learned from it! Great job!
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I feel the number of differences in the two mythologies are vast, I like the ones you chose to focus on. They are very close to many of the difference in similarities that I pointed out in my post. I’d like to believe that Ragnarok doesn’t necessarily end the timeline for Norse mythology, as the stories clearly speak of a life to come after Ragnarok. I believe those stories just have yet to be written, or will never be written as Ragnarok has not yet occurred and the Fates could only determine what would happen up to that point and not much further beyond it.
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We’re going to talk about end of the world myths in a few weeks, and we’ll look more closely at Ragnarok. It is, as you say, ultimately a redemptive myth, with the destruction of the old world, founded on the initial violence between Aesir and Giants, and the creation of a new, better version. But it’s going to happen. Like in Greek myths, the fates/norns mean business.
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I’m happy you brought up the Lay of Harbard. It’s one of my favorite myths, even though it’s all talk. We can read it as a story about why Thor – who, as a storm god is more akin to Zeus – is not the head of the pantheon and Odin is. Thor is honest, strong, proud, and brave. Odin is deceptive, but more importantly, he’s maneuvering all the battles that strong, proud, brave warriors fight in. He’s untrustworthy and ultimately wants you to die in battle, but he’s going the wisdom to see the larger picture of war and direct the rest of us appropriately. So Thor would be more of a role-model, but we depend upon Odin, even if we don’t ultimately trust him.
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