When Thor returned to Asgard after Utgard-Loki had deceived him, he didn’t stay long. He set out for the home of Hymir the giant, taking on the appearance of a young boy. He left his companions, chariot and goats, Tooth-Gnasher and Tooth-Grinder, behind. It was late when he arrived at Hymir’s home, where he stayed overnight.
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. 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 Mjolnir. 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. Thor asked what kind of bait he should use.
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. He found the largest and best of the beasts, named Himinhrjhot (Heaven-Bellower), and ripped off its head. This is what he would use for bait.
When he made it to the shore. Hymir had already launched the boat. Thor jumped into the back, grabbed two oars and rowed. Hymir rowed from the bow and noted he was making good progress. When they arrived where Hymir usually fished, he told Thor. The boy-god said he wanted to go farther out to sea. Hymir obliged, and they rowed quickly toward the horizon.
Hymir shipped his oars and told Thor they had gone out as far as they dared. Any father, and they might run into the Midgard Serpent, Jörmungandr. This was the feat of strength Thor had set himself. He wanted to catch the serpent that encircled the world. Much to Hymir’s dismay, Thor kept rowing.
Once Thor thought they were out far enough, he brought in his oars. He grabbed the strong fishing line and the equally strong hook he had chosen for this fishing expedition. He baited the hook with Himinhrjhot’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 with fear. Thor’s appearance as he faced the serpent were scary enough, but Hymir also feared the condition of the boat as the sea rushed into it in waves.
Thor grabbed Mjolnir to kill Jörmungandr. Hymir fumbled with his bait knife but was quick enough to cut Thor’s line. The serpent slid back into the water. Thor threw Mjolnir after it.
Jormungandr’s fate is still debated. Some say Mjolnir found its target and killed it. Others contend the Midgard Serpent is still in place, waiting for Ragnarök.
Angered by Hymir’s actions, Thor punched the giant behind his ear. Hymir tumbled off the boat and into the sea. Thor waded back to shore.
Sources: The Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson (Penguin Classics, 2005).
The Definitive Guide to Norse Mythology: The Gods, Heroes, Monsters, and Legends of Viking Culture by Finn D. Moore (2022).
