# Hermod — Poetry character guide

> Hermod in Poetry by Matthew Arnold.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Niord

**First appearance:** 0136-i-sending

## Snapshot

The swift god who rides to Hela's realm to beg Balder's release and carries back the terms of his ransom.

## Who they are

Hermod the nimble descends into the underworld as Asgard's messenger, pressing Hela for the conditions of Balder's return and daring to ask whether he may greet the dead. Hela grants him speech with Balder, and he delivers the gods' plea—that all things weep—only to hear Balder's quiet rebuke against gilding death. His journey binds the living gods to the realm below and turns the poem's grief into a negotiation with fate itself.

## Relationships

### [Balder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_16_se/characters/balder)

_friendship_

Hermod is Balder's loyal brother and companion, who undertakes a perilous journey to Hel to try to bring Balder back from the dead.

### [Hoder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_16_se/characters/hoder)

_family_

Hermod and Hoder are brothers, with Hoder being the blind god who accidentally kills Balder, causing family tragedy.

### [Odin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_16_se/characters/odin)

_family_

Hermod is Odin's son, serving as his messenger and undertaking dangerous quests at his father's command.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_16_se/characters/hermod
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_16_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_16_se/characters