Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
How Thor Paid the Mountain Giant His Wages explained
The gods agree to let a giant builder fortify their home in exchange for Freya, the sun, and the moon, but only if he finishes by summer.
What happens
The gods agree to let a giant builder fortify their home in exchange for Freya, the sun, and the moon, but only if he finishes by summer. With Loki's advice, the giant uses his horse Svadilfari, which does most of the work. As the deadline nears, the gods threaten Loki to prevent completion. Loki transforms into a mare to lure the horse away, causing the giant to fail. The giant reveals his true form, and Thor kills him with his hammer.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional peak of Tristram’s brief reunion with…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Hospitality and Its Violation
The gods violate the sacred bond of their oath by reneging on the promised reward and ultimately killing the giant.
- Hubris and Divine Retribution
The giant's hubris in demanding the sun, moon, and Freya leads to his downfall and punishment by Thor.
Characters to notice
- Thor
Thor is absent during most of the building but returns to slay the giant with his mallet, paying the wages with death.
- Loki
Loki advises the gods to allow the giant's horse, then later transforms into a mare to sabotage the work and save the gods from their bargain.
- Odin
Odin is implied among the gods who sit in judgment and consult on how to avoid giving Freya and the sun and moon to the giant.
Key passages
“He demanded for his reward the goddess Freya, together with the sun and moon.”
The giant asked for Freya, the sun, and the moon as payment for building the fortress.
Shows the excessive demand that triggers the conflict.
“Lifting up his mallet, paid the workman his wages, not with the sun and moon, and not even by sending him back to Jotunheim, for with the first blow he shattered the giant’s skull to pieces and hurled him headlong into Niffleheim.”
Thor killed the giant with his hammer instead of giving him the promised rewards, sending him to the underworld.
Climactic moment where Thor fulfills the title's ironic 'payment'.
