What IF the weapons of the God's (i.e. Thor's Hammer, or Odin's Spear) were found by some normal human. Would he become a God? Would he correct injustice or become a predator?
What IF the weapons of the God's (i.e. Thor's Hammer, or Odin's Spear) were found by some normal human. Would he become a God? Would he correct injustice or become a predator?
Depends on the mechanics inherent withing the respective "weapon of the Gods" in question. If the weapon itself has a will, and passes judgement on the worthiness of its wielder, then it becomes a matter of what the weapon will allow, or possibly even encourages.
Another aspect of the mechanics inherent within the respective "weapon of the gods", is does the god's power derive from the weapon or is the "weapon" mostly a focus for the god's inherent power?
Another aspect of the mechanics inherent within the respective "weapon of the gods", is does the god's power derive from the weapon or is the "weapon" mostly a focus for the god's inherent power?
Or in this particular scenario, perhaps a catalyst?
1) Person finds "godly object"
2) Object judges person is "acceptable"/worthy
3) Object determined person can be "elevated" and initiates the process.
4) Person is allowed to handle/use "Godly Object"
5) Person keeps "Godly object" as a symbol of power, but may no longer "need" it to retain powers, but still derives "benefits" from having it. (Such as lowering the odds of it trying to elevate someone else)
Person keeps "Godly object" as a symbol of power, but may no longer "need" it to retain powers, but still derives "benefits" from having it. (Such as lowering the odds of it trying to elevate someone else)
Except in most of the real world pantheistic mythologies involving weapons of power associated with various gods, those gods were already gods when they received the weapons.
And aside from the Norse, where the dwarves made the weapons of the Æsir, most of the mythologies contained a dedicated weapon smith god who makes the weapons of the other gods (Hephaestus for the Greeks).
What IF the weapons of the God's (i.e. Thor's Hammer, or Odin's Spear) were found by some normal human.
Would he become a God?
No, he would become a DIY enthusiast
Thor was a god before he was given the hammer, so no, possessing the hammer just makes the person a hammer owner. Not a god.
Would he correct injustice or become a predator?
Probably depends upon which comic book he reads.
The reality is that if the hammer existed, actually had the powers claimed, was found by a person, then as soon as authority found out they would either have it confiscated, or themselves be locked up, least someone else get hold of it.
Conspiracy theories aside, governments have a long history of appropriating anything that could be a weapon, especially if it's more powerful than they currently possess.
Carrying a spear around is going to be a royal pain in the ass, for so many reasons. Mostly because it's a spear. At least the hammer could fit into a reasonable sized bag.
Besides which it's all a made up comic book story.
For the real Thor you have to read the Viking sagas, that tell of how he rode back from battle to his home village, shouting "I'm Thor..!! I'm Thor..!!
To which his younger brother lisped. "Of courth you are! You forgot your thaddle, thilly..!!
Thor was a god before he was given the hammer, so no, possessing the hammer just makes the person a hammer owner. Not a god.
From what I recall reading about Norse mythology, according to the original Viking sagas, in addition to the hammer, Thor also possessed a magical iron gloves and a belt, without which even HE couldn't lift Mjollnir.
Carrying a spear around is going to be a royal pain in the ass, for so many reasons. Mostly because it's a spear. At least the hammer could fit into a reasonable sized bag.
His Hammer is freaking heavy though. At least you can use the spear as a walking stick and lever should the need arise. :)
His Hammer is freaking heavy though.
Only in the comics. In the Norse Sagas it's weight wasn't an issue. Similarly the comics say it can't be picked up by anyone not judged worthy, whilst in the sagas it was forged by dwarves and carried back by Loki, who in no way could be said to be worthy. Especially as he got the hammer by trickery whilst trading with the dwarves to get a hair piece for Sif, Thor's wife, from whom Loki had cut a good chunk of hair, an act for which Thor was going to kill him.
Myself, in terms of stories elevating mortals to godhood, there are three paths I favor.
Edited to add a bit to #2.
1. A god seeking retirement passes his power on to a "worthy" successor. The Dread Pirate Roberts of version of godhood.
Now, the meaning of "Worthy" would depend entirely on what god you are talking about. In the Norse pantheon, to stick with the pantheon chosen by the OP, there are rather large differences in who would be considered worthy successors by Odin, Thor, and Loki.
2. The Mystery->followers->worshipers->godhood route.
This path assumes that the gods are fueled/draw power from the faith of their worshipers.
A mortal does something seemingly impossible. The tale of this deed gets told and re-told over and over, being embellished in the process. The tale becomes the mystery, the origin story of the god.
The mystery attracts followers, if they believe strongly enough, the followers become worshipers and the faith of the worshipers elevates the mortal to godhood.
3. Similar to 2, except you shorten the process a bit by starting with a demigod (the offspring of a god and a mortal).
The smart thing to do, if you could lift it, would be to change your name to Maxwell and paint it silver.
typo edit - as usual
In reference of Marvel's version of Thor's hammer, I seem to recall a story line where someone was considered worthy and "granted the powers of Thor".
Yes, an alien. He was eventually given his own war hammer with powers identical to Majolnir.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta_Ray_Bill
I was actually thinking of a story line where Jane Foster was granted the powers of Thor by Majolnir.
Not quite what the OP was asking, but she was an average human when chosen.
Well, all of you have good points. I was thinking in my own mind that since the "time of the Gods" had faded, the Gods themselves have disappeared. The "Objects", if you want to call them that, have been left behind. To be found by new individuals. Perhaps as they faded from power, each God hid his weapon somewhere on earth to be found later by someone worthy. Hollywood could only do comedy versons of the theme (Jim Carrey in "Mask"). It could make a good series or a series of stand alones.