Critical Thinking Questions:

Answer these three questions using complete sentences.

1.  Why do you think the storytellers chose to have a cow emerge and give strength to Ymir?  What is it about the cow that makes it important?  do you think a different animal would have worked just as well?

2.  According to the story, humans had the great task of looking after Midgard (the middle of the earth).  In what way were humans tied to the earth according to Norse myth?

3.  Who is the source of human suffering?  What does this say about human responsibility and their ability to affect the course of their lives?  Do you personally agree or disagree with this belief?