Loki

Loki is a figure in Norse mythology known as a trickster associated with mischief, magic, shapeshifting, and occasional violence. He is described as the son of the giant Fárbauti and the giantess Laufey, and his status among the Aesir varies by source, with some accounts treating him as a blood-brother to Odin or a close ally to the gods. Loki's cunning schemes bring both aid and trouble to the Æsir and to mortals. His children include Fenrir the wolf, Jörmungandr the world serpent, Hel, and Sleipnir, the eight-legged horse fathered by the stallion Svaðilfari. In the mythic cycle, Loki's actions contribute to the events of Ragnarok, the destruction of the cosmos, and his punishment by the gods involves being bound with a serpent’s venom dripping onto him while Sigyn catches the venom in a bowl.

In modern popular culture, Loki is a prominent figure in Marvel Comics and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In the comics he is the god of mischief, the adopted son of Odin, and Thor's brother, often a villain though sometimes an uneasy ally. The MCU adaptation presents him as the biological son of Laufey who is raised by Odin in Asgard; his ambitions for power drive many plots. Loki is portrayed by Tom Hiddleston in the films Thor and The Avengers, and stars in the Disney+ series Loki, which follows his adventures across time and alternate realities. The character has influenced broader conversations about identity, power, and morality in superhero fiction.

Loki remains a durable archetype of the trickster, shaping myths and modern narratives by challenging norms and catalyzing change.