'Balder Dead' Summary

'Balder Dead' recounts the tragic story of Balder, son of Odin and Frigg. Balder is known for his beauty, goodness, and the love he inspires in all those around him. However, Loki, the trickster god, envies Balder's popularity and plots his demise. Exploiting a loophole in Frigg's protection of Balder, Loki convinces the blind god Hodr to throw a mistletoe dart at Balder, killing him. The poem delves into the despair that grips the gods and goddesses following Balder's death, as they struggle to comprehend the loss of such a cherished figure. Through the eyes of the gods, Arnold explores the depths of their grief, the struggle to accept fate, and the destructive power of jealousy and envy. 'Balder Dead' ultimately presents a poignant reflection on the cyclical nature of life, death, and the enduring power of love and loss in the face of tragedy.