Medieval culture, magic and the development of trickster gods

Abstract

Modern culture has developed a new form of mythology through comics, movies, and story telling that involves the re-mythologizing of medieval cultures, with modern re-interpretations of gods and how their journeys are perceived. Amongst these gods are the tricksters who serve as heroic characters as well as hindrances to other heroes on some occasions. However, trickster gods are not a new concept to modern mythology; rather, they stem from their medieval counterparts. Loki, a popular trickster god within Marvel mythology, stems from medieval Norse mythology from 780-1070 CE. Lugh and Gwydion are other trickster gods that have also served as inspiration for today’s trickster gods that developed to serve as explanations of behaviors, beliefs, social class, and magical attributes within their cultures.