God of War Ragnarok is filled with many important figures from Norse mythology including Odin and Thor, who have epic battles against Kratos and Atreus. One of these figures, Sif, not only plays a role in God of War as Thrud’s mother and Thor’s wife, but also has a somewhat meaningful role in the ever-popular Marvel Cinematic Universe where she is a trusted ally of Thor. However, these portrayals of Sif are very different, with God of War Ragnarok offering a look at her role as a mother and wife, and the MCU showing her capabilities as a warrior.
Sif is rarely mentioned in Norse mythology. Her most significant contribution comes when Loki steals her hair, eventually leading to the events that gave Thor his famous hammer and Odin his spear. While her role in both God of War and the MCU is not as significant as it could have been, she often plays the role of advisor and caretaker for those closest to her, showcasing her true personality and ideals. Like most other characters that are in both God of War and the MCU, Sif plays very different roles and ultimately showcases two different parts of one of the most underutilized characters in mythology.
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Sif in the MCU
In the MCU, Sif is a feared warrior, not quite on par with Thor, but more than capable of handling herself against any enemy. She is not the wife of Thor; rather, she is one of his trusted allies and is willing to sacrifice her life to defend Asgard. Sif and the Warriors Three make a formidable team.
Similar to Norse mythology, Sif in the MCU is often disregarded as an important figure because her character is often overshadowed by Jane Foster, the love interest of Thor. As a result, she is often excluded from important fights and scenes, including being completely absent during Thor: Ragnarok. Sif is heavily underutilized in the MCU and deserves to play a much bigger role, especially considering how important she is in other interpretations of Norse mythology like God of War Ragnarok.
Sif in God of War Ragnarok
In God of War, Sif plays a crucial role for other characters, especially her daughter Thrud and husband Thor, giving them the confidence to follow their own path. She is an intimidating figure towards Atreus during his visit to Asgard and often warns him to stay away from her family. Ultimately, it is through Sif’s words that both Thor and Thrud understand the damage that Odin is doing to their family, and she is part of the reason that Thor ultimately stood against his father during the battle at Asgard.
As a mother, Sif is initially portrayed as a controlling person as she attempts to persuade Thrud away from her goal of becoming a Valkyrie. However, as the story of God of War Ragnarok unfolds, it is clear that she is only doing so to keep Thrud away from Odin’s grasp. Following the death of Odin and the destruction of Asgard, she is seen consoling Thrud and promises to help the survivors at Asgard rebuild their lives in Midgard.
While her role in both the MCU and God of War Ragnarok is severely cut down, Sif still plays a vital role in encouraging other key figures and supporting those closest to her. In the MCU, she is one of Thor’s most trusted allies and even helps the God of Thunder fight off his foes, while in God of War she is a great mother to Thrud, who hopes to become a worthy successor to Thor. With God of War Ragnarok ending the Norse saga of the series, fans will likely not see Sif again; however, she has proven to be one of the most well-rounded characters in the series, and she is not only a worthy protector of Asgard but also a great mother for Thrud.
God of War Ragnarok is available now for PS4 and PS5.
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