Surtr, also spelt Surtur or Surt, is a primordial Jötunn (giant) present in the Norse mythology. He's considered the one who shall end the world during Ragnarök. He is also one of two "supreme evils" of the old Scandinavian myths, the other being Loki.
Biography
Origins
The old norse manuscripts describe Surtr as the first of the fire giants to emerge from the flames of Muspelheim, the realm of fire. He's a primordial jötunn, half-brother of Ymir and Audhumbla, embodiment of chaos and fire. He's also represented as holding a immense fire sword.
During Ragnarök
In Ragnarök, Surtr will lead the army of fire jotnar from Muspelheim to invade Asgard by the Bifrost bridge and enter in the battle field.
Surtr is destined to fight with the god Freyr, who unfortunate is killed by the flame sword of the giant because he gifted his own sword to his friend Skírnir long before the battle.
In the end of the battle, Surtr will shake his weapon and spread the primordial Muspelheim fire to all the Yggdrasil, consuming the Nine Realms and killing practically all the living beings in the cosmos, including himself and his own species.
Personality
Surt don't have a consistent personality and acts as a true natural force of massive destruction, who only exists to spread chaos in his path. He cares nothing about other living beings, as stated that he'll kill his own species and himself in order to destroy all the worlds and kill every other being in fire.
In Popular Culture
As with other major figures in Norse Mythology, Surtr frequently appears in other media more than often as antagonistic/villainous character. Most notably his Marvel counterpart. He also appears to inspire Balrogs in Tolkien works.
Trivia
- Surtr is a representation of the primordial times in the Norse mythology before the creation of the universe, where the jötnar acted as true cosmic forces without definite personality. He's likely the last of his type still alive.
- In some versions of his tale, Surtr's success was rather pyrrhic one as despite his victory over Freyr, the latter managed to mortally wound him with his replacement weapon fashioned out of antlers. As a result, the Eldthur's death was more than certain since the endeavor to set entire Nine Realms aflame costed him what had left of his strength.
