3 Review(s)

The play follows Balder’s foreseen death, which is prophesied to bring immense sorrow to the gods and mark the beginning of a decline that would lead to Ragnarök, the Norse apocalypse. Although his mother, Frigg, extracts oaths from all creatures to protect him, the mischievous god Loki discovers that mistletoe was overlooked in this promise. Manipulating Balder’s blind brother, Hod, Loki orchestrates Balder’s death by having Hod throw a mistletoe dart, which fatally wounds Balder. The tragedy unfolds with the gods in deep grief, mourning not only Balder but the loss of harmony and trust in their world.Ewald’s "The Death of Balder" emphasizes themes of fate, innocence, and the inevitability of loss, portraying Balder as a symbol of goodness and light whose death marks the end of an era. The play is rich with poetic language and emotional depth, blending classical tragedy with Norse mythological elements to explore universal themes of betrayal, loss, and destiny. Ewald’s work helped establish a renewed interest in Scandinavian heritage and myth, and it remains a celebrated example of early modern European tragedy inspired by ancient legends.