Trickster Archetype: Comparing Loki and Hermes

When people hear the word trickster they typically think of someone deceitful, often even evil, and someone with malevolent intentions who tricks others for some bad reason or with some harmful purpose. While some tricksters are evil and do trick others for evil or selfish reasons, not all of them are evil nor do all of them have sinister intentions. A trickster doesn’t have to be sinister or evil at all, as exemplified by the Greek god Hermes. The Greek god Hermes falls under the trickster archetype and his intentions are considered to be relatively good and pure. Hermes is even considered to be a likable comedian of sorts who disobeys the other Gods for his own amusement or occasionally for good reason. In contrast exists Loki, a Norse trickster god, who embodies the evil, nefarious aspect that people commonly associate with the trickster archetype. The Norse god Loki and the Greek god Hermes, despite being very different from one another, are both examples of the trickster archetype and thus serve to exemplify that this archetype is far more complex and varied than it appears. These two gods have more differences than similarities, thus illustrating that characters who fall under the same archetype have a wide range and variety in their personalities and that, even though every trickster under the trickster archetype will share some similar qualities, they will also have many differences, a wide variety of personalities, and unique stories that go with them. Both Loki and Hermes are known for being rebels, a common trait those known to fall under the trickster archetype share. They are also both known for being rather mischievous. Both are mischievous tricksters in the sense that they often deceive the other gods, but the reasons they do so are quite different. While Loki deceives the gods primarily for self-preservation and his own selfish reasons, Hermes generally only deceives the other gods for entertainment and fun. Loki’s intentions are mostly malicious and evil but Hermes' intentions are only for amusement. There are even times when Hermes' intentions in tricking the other gods are for the good of humanity, thus demonstrating that ultimately he is a good person at heart who simply enjoys the occasional laugh. As described by Lewis Hyde, the author of Trickster Makes this World, both Loki and Hermes are tricksters in the sense that they are “boundary-[crossers],” even though the extent to which they break and cross boundaries varies greatly from each other. Ultimately, despite them both being tricksters, the two are viewed and perceived very differently; Hermes is viewed as good, a god who only tricks for enjoyment or the good of humankind whereas Loki is viewed as evil, a god who only cares about himself, and a trickster who inflicts harm upon others. Furthermore, while Hermes is generally liked by the other gods, Loki is not. Loki is feared by the other Norse gods and spends most of his time alone. While both Loki and Hermes have a high position among the gods, Loki’s position is a nominal one among the Aesir tribe of gods whilst Hermes is one of the twelve gods of the official Greek Olympian family and primarily serves as their messenger. Hermes has an important role and high status among the other gods whereas Loki, despite having a high title, generally only does things for his own benefit and thus is not liked or considered a companion by the other gods. Loki commits some undeniably evil acts and is known to have no concern for the well-being of his other fellow gods, only assisting them if it would benefit him in some way. On the other hand, Hermes is known for being one of the twelve Olympian Gods and thus known for being a part of the Olympian family, a respected colleague among them. Loki doesn’t care what the laws or expectations are and thus lives with no rules or boundaries. While Hermes also breaks boundaries and does things that allegedly break the expectations, he does not commit any evil acts nor does he do anything really considered bad since the acts he commits are either just for a good laugh or to help out humankind in some way. While the other Greek gods might view some of what Hermes does as bad when he disobeys them, Hermes is still viewed as a good guy, perhaps an antihero trickster of sorts by people because what he is doing is still considered good and, as people generally seem to know, Hermes does what lots of famous characters do, sometimes breaking rules as it is necessary for the greater good. The Norse god Loki proves that a trickster can be as evil as people’s prejudices assume they are but that not all tricksters are and some, like the Greek god Hermes, are generally good and do things that might be considered wrong by some for all the right reasons. Thus, despite both Loki and Hermes being trickster archetypes and sharing some similar qualities, the two gods differ vastly proving that just because two gods fall under an archetype doesn’t mean that they have to be the same and that there is much variation across the characters that fall under the same archetype.

Works Cited

"Hermes • Facts and Information on Greek God Hermes." Greek Gods Goddesses. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2016.

Hyde, Lewis. Trickster Makes This World: Mischief, Myth, and Art. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1998. Print.

"Loki - Norse Mythology for Smart People." Norse Mythology for Smart People. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2016.