y calling him comrade and table-companion of Ódin and the Aesir, Geirrødr's visitor and casket-ornament, thief from giants, of goat and Brisingamen and Idun's apples, enemy of the gods, Sif's hair-harmer, maker of mischief, the cunning As, accuser and tricker of gods, contriver of Baldr's death, the bound one, wrangler with Heimfdall and Skandi."
             In Heimskringla Ódin is called "Lopt's friend," and Snorri speaks of him as "Evil companion and bench-mate of Ódin and the Aesir."
             Other descriptions by Snorri are: "Foe of the gods," "the sly god," "Slanderer and cheat of the gods," "Wolf's father," "the cunning Loki". He calls himself Lopt ("the airy one"), and
             this name is also given to him by others (Lokasenna 52), and may be connected with lopteldr ("lightning"). The name Lodur, which occurs only in Volupsa (18), as that of an associate of Ódin and Hönir, is generally supposed to be an early name of Loki, who was "companion" and "friend" of Hönir according to Thjodolf of Hvin (Skáldskaparmál 22).
             As already stated, Loki and Ódin are blood brothers. This is how he came to be included among the Aesir, despite that the Aesir and the giants are maternal blood relatives. Yet he has always brought much woe to the gods. Loki does mischief for mischief's sake. He is a thief (of the Brisingamen) or he causes theft (Idunn and her apples). He dislikes others to be praised, even as a servant, as when he slew Fimafeng at Aegir's banquet (Skaldskaparmál 33, Lokasenna Intro). He is foul-mouthed and slanderous, as Lokasenna shows.
             However, he has also been the key in bringing about situations which have helped the gods. If it wasn't for Loki how would Thor come about having the hammer Mjollnir, or Ódin
             his spear Gungnir and horse Sleipnir? Loki was always welcome, to a certain extent, among the gods (until Lokasenna). Whenever anyone went to Jötunheim, he was usually there
             as an intermediary. In...