What are the most important themes associated with Yggdrasil?  Life?  Death?  Regeneration?  Suffering?  Wisdom?  Other themes?  How do these different themes connect together in the stories associated with Yggdrasil?

 What is the role Yggdrasil plays within Norse mythology?  What are its functions?

  Explain how the lives of the following mythological figures intersect with Yggdrasil: Odin, Mimir, Lif and Lifthrasir, the Norns.

  What animals are associated with Yggdrasil and how do they interact?

What can the characteristics and stories associated with these different mythological figures and animals tell us about Yggdrasil and its place within the Norse universe?

  How would you compare and contrast Yggdrasil with Trees Of Life and/or Universe Trees that appear in other mythological traditions?  Why do you think this is such a recurring motif within World Mythology?  Why might trees “be good to think with”?

To what extent are sacred trees an appropriate way to explore the similarities and differences between world mythology and world religion?  Where do trees appear in the Christian story?  To what extent would you accept or reject the interpretation of the Cross as a Universe Tree?  To what extent would you accept or reject the interpretation of the Bodhi Tree under which the Buddha attained Enlightenment or the tree under which his mother gave birth as a Universe Tree?

  What similarities and differences do you see between Odin’s relationship with Yggdrasil and Jesus’ relationship with the Cross?  How would you account for the similarities?