The aim of the thesis is to investigate the role and function of these epic figures in the myths. The giants have often been interpreted as representatives of chaos, death or natural forces in relation to the cosmos or culture. This simplistic model is not sustainable and requires an analysis of how they are described in different genres. The study will therefore include a genre analysis, thus revealing beings of a more complex nature and puncturing the notion of primitive chaos beings. Giants are not exclusively enemies of the gods, and giantesses in particular enter into amorous relationships with gods whose offspring then become prominent figures. The gods themselves are also related to and dependent on the giants, who are described as the oldest in the cosmos and thus wise and owners of objects of power. With close reading and a broad perspective that spans the entire area of Norse culture, my hope is that I can document and extensively analyze the importance of the giants in the myths, and thus also for humans. The latter is particularly evident in flour symbolism. The flour is stolen from the giants and becomes culturally acceptable to humans and the most important component of the cult union and the inspiration of the poets. Notions of giants are very old and can be traced through skaldic poems to at least the 9th century, and not least through the Swedish Rökstenen where the oldest written evidence of the word appears.