Loki is known as the trickster god of Norse mythology and is even considered one of the first anti-heroes. He is also probably one of the most famous tricksters. In Norse myths, he is often described as being very mischievous and always causing trouble for the gods. In fact, “he was so outrageously mischievous that he even worked his way into becoming a god” (Allen and Saunders, par. 1). However, while he almost always seems to cause trouble for the gods, he also sometimes helps them in an attempt to get them out of their predicaments... even if those predicaments are his fault to begin with. Loki was considered one of the Aesir, the Norse gods, he was in fact the son of a giant, Fárbauti ("Loki", par. 1). However, his close relationships with the gods, particularly those with Odin and Thor, might explain why he is so commonly accepted as one of them. In fact, in some stories it is even said that Loki and Odin are blood brothers (McCoy, par. 16). Loki has three wives, the first being Glut, who bore him two daughters, Esia and Einmyri, the second being the giantess Angrboda, who bore him three monsters, "the giant wolf Fenrir, Hel, ruler of the Dead, and the serpent of the Jormungand world,” and the third being Sigyn, who bore him two sons, Narve and Vali (McLeish, par. 5). Additionally, Loki also gave birth to Sleipnir, a horse which he then gave to Odin, "after transforming into a mare and courting the stallion Svaðilfari" (McCoy, par. 4). Not only is Loki a trickster, but he is also famous for his shapeshifting, meaning he is "able to take on the appearance of anything he chooses" (McLeish, par. 2). Shapeshifting is an ability that few Norse characters...... middle of paper......, makes him one of the most interesting gods in Norse mythology as he is comical, entertaining and accessible, in a sense that it is neither all good nor all bad. Works Cited Allen, Peter J. and Chas Saunders. “Loki.” God's Verifier. 2013. Internet. November 26, 2013. Foster, Mary H. and Mabel H. Cummings. Asgard Stories: Tales from Norse Mythology. New York: Silver, Burdett and Company, 1901. Kindle file. McLeish, Kenneth. “Loki.” Bloomsbury Dictionary of Myths. London: Bloomsbury Publishing Ltd, 1996. Reference Credo. Internet. December 26, 2013. Lindow, John. “Loki (Norse mythology).” World Mythology: Handbook of Norse Mythology Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 2001. Credo Reference Web, November 26, 2013. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica Inc., 2013. Web December 26, 2013. McCoy, Dan “Loki 2013. » 2013.