Gylfi

Gylfi was the legendary first king of Sweden according to Norse mythology.

Biography

Some time after being crowned, Gylfi fell in love with a local woman and married her. Entirely smitten, he proposed to give her as much land from his kingdom as a team of oxen could plough in two day, fully expecting it to be but a mere parcel. In the spirit of the words but not their intent, his wife promptly hitched together four supernatural oxen, her sons whom she had conceived years earlier with a giant, and ploughed so much land that she severed nearly half of Gylfi's kingdom. She then revealed herself to her shocked spouse as the goddess Gefjon. Gylfi was angered by her secret and from then on, he believed he had been lied to and that the gods had intentionally played a cruel trick on him.

Wishing to know more about the Æsir after Gefjon's perceived betrayal, Gylfi traveled to Asgard to ask its inhabitants for details on themselves. While there, he met the three kings known only as High, Just-as-High, and Third, who told answered many of his questions. The stories of Ginnungagap, the jötnar, the creation of men, and the gods left Gylfi speechless, and he pitied Odin for knowing his fated end in Ragnarök. The three kings proceeded to tell Gylfi more about Odin, though Gylfi had to push them to talk about the Æsir–Vanir War, and he was quite amused afterward by the Æsir's lack of humility.

While in Asgard, although not wanting to seem rude to his hosts, Gylfi asked what feats they had performed that made them worthy of adoration. They told them stories of Thor and Loki, among others, and Gylfi was amazed at the tales. He remained wary of Loki and upon learning more about him, Gylfi was shocked to hear about his hand in Baldr's death. Pushing for more information on the supposed end of the world that Ragnarök would bring, after being told all the stories that High, Just-as-High, and Third had to offer, Gylfi left Asgard. Before leaving, the three kings told Gylfi to spread the stories that they told him.

Personality and traits

Gylfi possessed an inquisitive nature, though was slightly distrusting of the gods after being wronged by Gefjon.

Behind the scenes

Gylfi is a mythological figure and character appearing in the 2022 Echoes of History documentary series, Ragnarök. He is voiced by Belgian-American voice actor James Brack.

Appearances

• Echoes of History (voice only)