The Norse myth that inspired “The Lord of the Rings”

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Ever pondered what fired up Tolkien's imagination for "The Lord of the Rings"?

It was the Norse myth of a supreme god named Óðinn and his companions, exploring realms and encountering dwarves.

Loki's hunger-driven mischief leads to the death of a shapeshifting dwarf, triggering a demand for a ransom in gold.

Here's where it gets interesting:

Loki finds Andvari, a dwarf with a treasure trove, and coerces him into handing it over, including a special ring that multiplies wealth.

A catch: Loki also snags a cursed ring, which Andvari warns will doom its owners.

The ring's curse unfurls a tragic tale of greed and murder.

Fáfnir, a dwarf turned dragon, hoards the gold and is later killed by a warrior, Sigurd, who is manipulated by Regin, Fáfnir's brother.

One taste of the dragon's blood gives Sigurd the ability to understand birds, who reveal Regin's murderous intentions.

Sigurd prevails, but the cursed ring's journey doesn't end there.

It continues to spread misery, destroying lives and dooming lovers.

Andvari's curse, this insidious cycle of greed and betrayal, influenced some of the most iconic literature centuries later. 🐉

What a saga, right? Imagine the morals tangled within this mythical web!

Remember, sometimes what glittered in mythology was not gold, but a warning against the lust for it.