Standards: ELAGSE11-12RL1: Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain. ELAGSE11-12RL3: Analyze the impact of the author’s choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a story or drama (e.g., where a story is set, how the action is ordered, how the characters are introduced and developed). ELAGSE11-12RL7: Analyze multiple interpretations of a story, drama, or poem (e.g., recorded or live production of a play or recorded novel or poetry), evaluating how each version interprets the source text.

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This worksheet will give you valuable background information on the film, and the questions will help you analyze the film as you

watch.

Background: In the Marvel Comics version of Thor, the Norse “gods” are actually alien beings with superhuman powers, who were once worshipped on earth as divine. In the first Thor film (2011) Odin sends Thor (Chris Hemsworth) to earth as punishment for disobeying him. An American scientist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) is Thor’s love interest. The film also features Loki, a descendant of frost giants who is Odin’s adopted son and Thor’s adopted brother. The second Thor film, Thor: The Dark World (2013), features a war between the Asgard gods and the dark elves of Svartalfheim. Loki returns as an uneasy ally to Thor in his adventures. The second film ends with Loki sacrificing himself to defeat the dark elves, but a post-credit scene reveals that Loki is not really dead but has assumed the form of Odin.

1. Characterization: Why do you think Marvel Comics chose the Norse god Thor to be a Marvel superhero? What details about the character from Norse mythology make him heroic?

2. Theme: After Surtur the fire-demon asks Thor, “You can’t stop Ragnarok, so why fight it?” Thor responds, “Because that’s what heroes do.” Do you agree with this? Do heroes keep fighting even when the odds are stacked against them? Explain.

3. Respond: At the beginning of the film Thor appears to be in Muspelheim, the land of the fire giants. In Norse mythology this land exists beyond the sky, and on the day of Ragnarok Surtur and the other fire giants will burst through the sky. What do you find interesting about the way Muspelheim is presented in Thor: Ragnarok?

Zachary Hamby © 2019 www.creativeenglishteacher.com

Trivia: When Thor arrives in Asgard, he witnesses a play acting out the “death” of Loki that occurred at the end of the last Thor film. In this play, the part of Thor is played by Luke Hemsworth, Chris Hemsworth’s older brother, Loki is played by Matt Damon, and Odin is played by Sam Neill, a veteran actor most famous for his starring role in Jurassic Park.

Background: Thor and Loki are taken to the home of Dr. Strange, another Marvel superhero who is a master of the mystic arts. Thor calls him a “wizard.”

Background: Odin says that he misses Thor and Loki’s mother, Frigga. She was killed in the second Thor film, Thor: The Dark World, while defending Asgard from the dark elves.

4. Tone: Thor goes to Sakaar, a totalitarian dystopia ruled by a Big Brother-like tyrant named the Grand Master. Rather than being presented as terrifying, how is this scenario played for laughs instead? What makes these scenes humorous?

5. Theme: Thor: Ragnarok has subtle themes of imperialism and colonialism. Odin was ashamed of how he conquered the Nine Realms, so he hid the truth of his conquests from future generations. Do governments sometimes hide secrets from their citizens? Explain.

6. Analyze: Hela resurrects an army of undead warriors and a giant wolf, Fenris. How is this similar to the army that faces the gods on the day of Ragnarok in Norse mythology?

Trivia: The robotic barber that cuts Thor’s hair is Marvel Comics creator Stan Lee, who invented the superhero incarnation of Thor—along with Spider-man and other famous heroes.

7. While on earth Thor was recruited to be one of the Avengers, a group of superheroes who protect the earth. The Incredible Hulk was one of his fellow Avengers, but the Hulk was launched into space aboard a high-tech jet in the Avengers: Age of Ultron film. All of the other Avengers thought the Hulk was dead. Where does Thor see Hulk again?

Trivia: The Hulk nearly killed Loki in The Avengers, which explains Loki’s fear of him.

8. Analyze: The Hulk is a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde character, who has a calm, rational side that hides a green monster inside. How does this film show Hulk’s monstrous side?

9. Characterization: Thor has incredible strength, power over thunder & lightning, and with the help of Mjolnir, he can fly; how does the movie make such a superhuman character relatable?

10.Compare: In Norse mythology, Loki is a “doer of good and a doer of evil.” Can the Marvel version of the character be described this way? Explain.

Background: Although Norse mythology states that Heimdall fights Loki on the day of Ragnarok, in Marvel’s version of Ragnarok the Hulk fights against Fenris (Fenrir) the wolf.

Trivia: Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song,” the song playing during the final fight scene, is all about Vikings invading foreign lands.

11.Analyze: During his fight with Hela, what lesson does Thor learn about his powers?

12.Characterization: A round character is a character who changes during the course of a story. Who are two round characters from Thor: Ragnarok? Explain your choices.

13.Analyze: What important lesson do the characters in Thor: Ragnarok learn about the true meaning of “home”? Explain.

14.Analyze: In Norse mythology Ragnarok destroys the World Tree, yet a new world is born from the ashes of the old. How is the ending of Thor: Ragnarok similar to this?