Why Loki Never Tried To Rule Jotunheim

There are several reasons Loki, the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s number one schemer, didn’t want to rule Jotunheim, the home of the Frost Giants featured in Thor. Following the Asgardians’ war with the Frost Giants, briefly shown in the 2011 movie, Loki was taken from Jotunheim as a baby. The son of the Frost Giant leader, Laufey, Loki was the heir to the throne, but he was left to die because he was small for his kind. Odin, king of the Asgardians, then took him in, raising him as his son and hoping he would one day unite the two kingdoms. Loki had other plans.

The God of Mischief learns his true parentage in Thor after seeing his hand turn blue while on Jotunheim early in the film. Loki then returns to Asgard and picks up the Casket of Ancient Winters, a weapon taken from the Frost Giants. The weapon reveals Loki’s Frost Giant origins, and he confronts Odin about it. The Allfather admits to taking Loki from Jotunheim, believing he could help bring about a permanent peace with the Frost Giants. The truth leaves his adopted son shaken. 

Perhaps in another reality, Loki would take this reveal gladly. On Asgard, he was always second to Thor. On Jotunheim, he has a clearer path to the throne. Throughout Thor, Loki seems to have a variety of constantly changing plans to get power, but never once does he consider ruling Jotunheim. While this may be confusing to some viewers, it’s ultimately true to his character. When Odin falls into Odinsleep after Loki confronts him about his parentage, the God of Mischief sees a perfect opportunity to take the throne. Why rule Jotunheim when he can rule Asgard?

Thor is exiled at this point, so he’s not a threat to Loki’s power. And to ensure his rule, Loki comes up with a plan to let Laufey kill Odin, who is vulnerable while in his sleeping state. The God of Mischief has wanted the throne of Asgard his whole life, and now he has it. There’s no point in worrying about other kingdoms. Of course, Loki doesn’t let Laufey kill Odin in the end. Instead, he betrays and kills his biological father at the last second. In doing so, he reveals another reason he wouldn’t want to rule Jotunheim.

When Loki murders Laufey, he says the Frost Giant leader was killed by the son of Odin. Despite his birth parents, he is an Asgardian, not a Frost Giant. In fact, Loki is Asgardian royalty. As such, he was brought up with Asgardian ideals and prejudices. While confronting Odin on the truth of his origins, Loki calls himself a “monster” that parents tell their kids about at night. He doesn’t want to be a Frost Giant. In fact, he hates them as all Asgardians do. Jotunheim is beneath them and ruling it probably never crossed Loki’s mind. Loki already has a major inferiority complex when it comes to Thor and his upbringing. Taking over Jotunheim would always be looked at as a step-down. Loki even tries to destroy the Frost Giant world, hoping to prove to Odin that he’s worthy of Asgardian’s throne.

When it comes down to it, Loki doesn’t want a consolation prize. Early on in Thor, Odin tells his sons that only one of them can ascend to the throne of Asgard, but both were “born to be kings.” Odin obviously meant Loki could be king of Jotunheim and help unite the worlds. But Odin really needs to do some self-reflection here. After being raised as an Asgardian and hearing his whole life that Jotunheim is a dump, who could blame Loki for not wanting his birthright?