Thor and Hymir Fish for the Midgard Serpent

Thor had not been home long after Utgard-Loki fooled him when he set out again, alone, in the shape of a young boy: no chariot, no goats (Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr), no companions. He reached the giant Hymir’s house late in the evening and stayed the night. This is the tale of how Thor and Hymir fish for the Midgard Serpent.

A Boy Asks to Go Fishing

As the sun rose, the giant prepared to go fishing. Thor woke up and asked to go with him. Hymir scoffed at the boy-figure in front of him. After all, he could expect little help from one who appeared so weak. Besides, the giant said, the boy would freeze to death because of the distance they would travel and the cold they would face on the ocean, especially since Hymir planned on staying out for a long time.

Thor’s anger boiled at the giant’s insults, but he controlled himself and restrained Mjölnir. He had bigger fish to fry and wanted to test his strength elsewhere. Thor told the giant he wouldn’t stop Hymir from rowing as far out as he wanted and also said that it was still an open question as to who would want to return to shore first. Then Thor asked what kind of bait he should use.

So Hymir told the boy-god to find his own bait and headed to the shore where his boat was waiting.

Thor walked out to Hymir’s herd of oxen, picked the biggest, a bull named Himinhrjot (‘Sky-Bellower’), and tore off its head. That was his bait.

Where Do Thor and Hymir Fish?

By the time Thor reached the shore, Hymir had launched the boat. Thor jumped in at the stern, took two oars, and rowed. Hymir, rowing in the bow, had to admit they were moving fast. When they reached Hymir’s usual fishing ground, the boy said he wanted to go farther. Hymir obliged, and they rowed for the horizon.

Hymir shipped his oars and said they had gone as far as they dared. Any farther and they might meet the Midgard Serpent, Jörmungandr. But that was exactly what Thor had come for. So he kept rowing.

What Do Thor and Hymir Fish Up?

Once Thor thought they were out far enough, he brought in his oars. First, he grabbed the strong fishing line and the equally strong hook he had chosen for this fishing expedition. Then he baited the hook with Himinhrjot’s head and dropped it to the bottom of the sea. Much like Utgard-Loki had tricked Thor into lifting Jörmungandr with his arm, Thor’s bait tricked the Midgard Serpent.

The serpent bit into the ox’s head, and Thor’s hook lodged into its gums. Jörmungandr jerked its head back so hard that Thor’s fists slammed into the gunwale of the boat. Thor’s rage at the pain allowed him to take on his divine strength. As he pulled at the line, his feet broke through the bottom of boat. He braced himself on the sea floor and pulled Jörmungandr’s head into the boat. Thor narrowed his eyes at the serpent. Jörmungandr spat poison and glared back from below.

Hymir was beside himself. Thor’s face as he stared down the serpent was frightening enough, and the sea was pouring into the boat.

Thor grabbed Mjölnir to kill Jörmungandr. Hymir fumbled with his bait knife but was quick enough to cut Thor’s line. As a result, the serpent slid back into the water. Thor threw Mjölnir after it.

How Does the Thor and Hymir Fishing Trip End?

What happened to Jörmungandr? Snorri says some claim Thor struck off its head there on the seabed, ‘but I think the truth is that the Midgard Serpent still lives and lies in the surrounding sea.’ It waits for Ragnarök, and for Thor.

Angered by Hymir’s actions, Thor punched the giant behind his ear. Hymir tumbled off the boat and into the sea. Finally, Thor waded back to shore.

However, the Poetic Edda tells this adventure differently. In Hymiskvida, Thor visits Hymir to fetch a cauldron big enough to brew ale for all the gods. And yes, Thor and the serpent do meet again: read how in our post on Ragnarök.

In the Poetic Edda’s version, the fishing trip comes right after Thor and Tyr’s visit to Hymir for his kettle: see Thor and Tyr Face the Anger of Hymir.

Video: Jackson Crawford tells how Thor and Hymir fish for the serpent, in one minute.