Loki: Trickster or Misunderstood?

Marvel Comics takes a swing at using Norse Mythology as inspiration for the work they put out. Even Thor's villains and allies are inspired by Norse Mythology. For example Loki, the god of mischief, is portrayed as Thor's brother and enemy. In Norse myth, no one really likes Loki being around. Yet Marvel tries to portray Loki as having faults to a character that in a way humanize him. They tend to do that with many of their characters, but it is a good way to tell the stories they are trying to tell.

Norse Myth tells us that he killed Bald'r and that he is essentially a scumbag, but perhaps there are layers that go even beyond that. We see things told from the perspective of the Aesir more often than the perspective of Loki. However if we were to see the perspective of Loki, how much of our own bias opinions win over when it comes to believing a word Loki says? Perhaps that is what is most intriguing about Loki as a character. His intentions, though malevolent on the surface are inherently similar to the injustices the Aesir and other gods have done. This is coming from an opinion that leaves Loki portrayed as the villain for all-time. The road to power, god or not, involves performing deeds that not everyone will see as righteous. 

In this clip from Thor: The Dark World we see Marvel's powerful narrative story telling by providing layers of emotion behind the relationship of Thor and Loki. *SPOILER ALERT* The scene takes place shortly after  Loki, being the trickster that he is, creates an illusion of what he wants people to see. However as an audience that has seen the movie, we know that Thor is able to call Loki's bluff because he knew how much Loki cared for their mother. It is evident that Loki is absolutely devistated.