Afterlife Myths: Comparing Across Cultures

The afterlife has always been a fascinating topic, with different cultures offering their own interpretations of what happens after death. After reading The Egyptian Book of the Dead, The Odyssey, and The Prose Edda, I’ve noticed both differences and similarities in how these cultures view the afterlife. This is especially true when it comes to judgment, fate, and the role of gods. Each story has its own unique twist, but all of them seem to emphasize that the way we live, affects our journey after death. 

The Book of the Dead offers a very structured view of the afterlife. According to the text, the dead must face a moral judgment, with the heart of the deceased being weighed against the feather of Ma'at, the goddess of truth. The line, "The heart is placed on the scale to be weighed against the feather of Ma'at" (Book of the Dead), shows how closely the Egyptians tied the afterlife to the individual’s actions during life. A heart that is heavier than the feather is meant eternal punishment. A balanced heart allowed the person to pass on to the afterlife. 

In comparison, The Odyssey presents a more psychological view of the afterlife. Odysseus visits the underworld and encounters the souls of the dead. many of these souls are trapped in endless misery due to their choices in life. Achilles expresses regret over choosing glory over a long life. While there’s still a sense of judgment here, it’s not as structured as the Egyptian system, it is more like a reflection on how a person lived rather than a strict moral scale. 

The Norse view of the afterlife, as described in the Prose Edda, also ties life after death to actions, but with a different focus. In Norse mythology, warriors who die bravely in battle are honored with a place in Valhalla. Others are sent to the grim Helheim, ruled by the goddess Hel. What struck me here is how the Norse seem to value bravery and strength, while the Egyptians are more focused on moral integrity. 

One theme that stood out across all these myths is the tension between fate and free will. In Orpheus and Eurydice, Orpheus is told not to look back at Eurydice as they leave the underworld, but his decision to disobey leads to tragedy. Odysseus’s journey is shaped by his choices, but ultimately, the gods have a hand in his fate. This struggle between free will and fate seems like a central theme in how these cultures understand the afterlife. 

Overall, these myths highlight different views of the afterlife, but they all reflect a universal desire to understand what happens after death and how our lives impact that journey. While modern ideas of the afterlife tend to be less focused on specific actions or moral scales, it’s interesting to see how these ancient myths continue to shape our understanding of life, death, and what comes after.