Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
The Recovery of the Hammer explained
Thor's hammer is stolen by the giant Thrym, who demands Freya as his bride for its return.
What happens
Thor's hammer is stolen by the giant Thrym, who demands Freya as his bride for its return. Loki persuades Thor to disguise himself as Freya, and they travel to Jotunheim. Thrym is deceived by Loki's excuses for Thor's unladylike behavior, and when the hammer is placed in Thor's lap, he throws off his disguise, kills Thrym and his followers. The chapter also recounts how Frey lost his sword by giving it to Skirnir as a reward for winning the giantess Gerda as his bride.
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
- Love and Transformation
Frey's love for Gerda leads him to sacrifice his sword, while Thor's transformation into Freya's guise enables the recovery of his hammer.
- Hubris and Divine Retribution
Thrym's arrogance in demanding Freya and hiding Thor's hammer results in his violent death at Thor's hands.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“Long is one night, Long are two nights, But how shall I hold out three? Shorter hath seemed A month to me oft Than of this longing time the half.”
Frey laments the unbearable wait for Gerda, saying that a single night feels longer than a month used to.
This poetic lament captures Frey's intense longing for his bride.
