Thor and Loki Go to Utgard, pt 3: Skrymir, a Large Man

Part 3 of 4: on the road to Útgard, Thor, Loki, and their young servants Thjálfi and Röskva met Skrýmir in the forest.

Skrýmir, a large man, invited the four travelers to walk with him. They agreed, and he put their provisions into his sack. He slung it over his shoulder and made his way farther into the forest. Skrýmir’s strides were so long that even Thor had a difficult time keeping up with him.

Skrýmir Sleeps Under the Oak

As night fell, Skrýmir stopped under a large oak tree. He said he was going to go to sleep, but Thor and his companions could eat whenever they wanted. He set the bag down and went to sleep.

Thor tried to open the bag and couldn’t loosen a single knot. His temper flared. He grabbed Mjölnir in both hands, stepped up to the sleeping giant, and struck him on the head.

Three Blows of Mjölnir

Skrýmir opened his eyes and asked if a leaf had fallen on him. Then he asked Thor why supper was taking so long. He rolled over and snored louder than before.

Thor embraced his anger and threw Mjölnir with such might that Skrýmir should surely perish.

Skrýmir barely stirred. He mumbled about an acorn falling on his head and returned to sleep, snoring like before.

Thor was incensed. He gathered all his divine strength for a third blow and struck Skrýmir’s temple so hard the hammer sank in up to its handle.

Skrýmir remained unharmed. He woke up and remarked that there must be birds nesting in the oak tree because he felt a feather alight on his forehead. How did Skrýmir withstand the might of Thor?

The Road to Útgard: Skrýmir Warns Thor

Skrýmir, the large man, asked Thor if they were ready to continue. “Utgard isn’t far now,” he said, “but I advise you to turn back because even bigger men than I am live in that city.”

Thor would not turn back, so Skrýmir shouldered the bag and went north. Snorri Sturluson recorded this tale in the Gylfaginning section of his Prose Edda. He adds, dryly, that it is not reported that the Aesir hoped to meet him again. Thor, Loki, Thjálfi and Röskva headed east toward Útgard.

(Even though they are traveling in the land of giants, Snorri doesn’t describe Skrýmir as a giant. He simply calls him a large man.)

Part 4 reveals how he withstood the hammer.

The whole journey: Part 1, The Goat Feast · Part 2, The Strange Hall · Part 3 (this page) · Part 4, The Challenges.