Pantheons that include a trickster have the trickster break rules that sometimes works out well. Eg, multiple pantheons where the trickster steals fire from one or more of the other gods and gives it to mortals. Some of the Southwestern Coyote stories go even farther, with Coyote stealing light in the form of the sun, moon, and stars and making those available to the benefit of mortals.
That sort of origin story simply doesn't work in the Abrahamic religions.
3 days ago
Odin keeps him around because he has to accomplish dodgy shit in his mission to keep Ragnarök at bay, and none of the other Aesir/Vanir is willing to bend from law and custom.
The main purpose for all the tricksters in mythology seems to be breaking rules. That could be an interesting discussion.
Since we're going there anyway...
Pantheons that include a trickster have the trickster break rules that sometimes works out well. Eg, multiple pantheons where the trickster steals fire from one or more of the other gods and gives it to mortals. Some of the Southwestern Coyote stories go even farther, with Coyote stealing light in the form of the sun, moon, and stars and making those available to the benefit of mortals.
That sort of origin story simply doesn't work in the Abrahamic religions.
Odin keeps him around because he has to accomplish dodgy shit in his mission to keep Ragnarök at bay, and none of the other Aesir/Vanir is willing to bend from law and custom.
The main purpose for all the tricksters in mythology seems to be breaking rules. That could be an interesting discussion.
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