Jtunn Culture - Tumblr Posts

Manly men

So, one question that has popped up in the comments to my fic much more often than others is “Why are Loki’s parents both male?” or something to that effect. I could just flippantly answer, “Why not?” but like with everything I wrote, I did have specific, thoroughly thought-out reasons for this.

First, let’s go back in history.

Jötunn biology according to Norse Lore

Somewhat understandable, the authors of the Norse myths didn’t spend much time on detailed descriptions of monsters, because they cared more about the battles against them and about making up dozens of nicknames for their goods, for some reason.

But, we can be pretty sure that in these myths there did exist female Jötnar, as well as male. There is no way of knowing whether the women looked any different than the men, because both were seen as “beautiful”.

Loki, however, is only ever referred to as “he”, even after Bragi reminds everyone that he once gave birth to children, when disguised as a milkmaid. And after the horse incident. He also has kids with women, though; three with Angrboda and two with Sigyn. This seems to be ascribed mostly to Loki being a shapeshifter.

All men, all mom material

Many fanfic authors and the official Marvel comics, too, solved the inability to pin Loki down as either man or woman by making him gender-fluid or intersex.  As a cisgender female, I didn’t feel comfortable with writing about either, though. I honestly don’t think I could do this justice.

I did, however, want to have the chance to write about the inherent sexism of the Norse Myths and, therefore, Asgard’s culture. To that end, I made the Jötnar an all-male species who, nonetheless, all have the ability to carry children. This goes along with some Jötnar taking on traditionally “female” roles in their family or having traditionally “female” jobs, for which people from other realms look down on them.

I also just really enjoyed having Loki answer bigoted insults of him being “unmanly” with “Yeah, all of my people would disagree with you on that.” ; P