Thor has become one of the most important characters in the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe, with his mighty Asgardian powers making him one of the most powerful of the Avengers, among the likes of Captain Marvel, the Incredible Hulk, and the Scarlet Witch
Despite his immense strength and brawn, Thor Odinson is far from exempt from suffering the trials and tragedies that so often plague the lives of those who practice heroism. Over his long tenure in the MCU, the god of thunder has suffered through more than his fair share of tribulations, each of which worked together to make him even stronger.
Getting Cast Out Of Asgard
Before becoming the lovable Avenger that fans know today, Thor Odinson was a self-obsessed and arrogant warrior who gave little thought to how his actions might harm others. It was only after his father Odin stripped him of his powers and cast him out of Asgard that the god of thunder learned comion and humility.
Without his godly abilities, Thor was forced to cope with living a regular human life, something that became all too clear after he found that he was unworthy to wield his iconic hammer Mjölnir. While this was initially a low moment for the son of Odin, it became paramount to his development into a true hero.
Losing His Hammer
Thor's sister Hela proved to be an intriguing villain, one whom MCU fans wouldn't mind seeing more of. In her very first scene, the goddess of death managed to destroy Thor's hammer Mjölnir, the very symbol of his power, leaving her brother unsure of his place as a warrior.
Without his hammer, Thor found himself swept up in various ordeals and even held captive by the lunatic Grandmaster. Worst of all, he found himself in a slump that diminished his confidence. Nevertheless, Thor learned that his power was far greater than that which was channeled through his hammer, becoming a far fiercer being than ever before as a result.
Getting Betrayed By Loki
While Thor film. Though the first act of the film portrays Loki as the loving brother of Thor, it is revealed over time that it was he who was behind Thor's expulsion in a bid to take his brother's birthright.
Loki's machinations proved to be a turning point in his relationship with Thor, who never fully trusted his brother again. The two would go about rebuilding that trust over the course of several films, though it would never again retain the stability it had once enjoyed. In many ways, Loki's betrayal broke Thor's heart.
Losing An Eye
In the final battle of Thor: Ragnarok, the titular hero goes head-to-head with his wicked sister Hela, the goddess of death, to decide once and for all which of Odin's offspring would be the ruler of Asgard. The more powerful goddess easily defeats her brother, striking out his right eye with a scepter.
Despite his elevated invulnerability as a god of Asgard, losing an eye is one of the worst pains Thor has ever had to endure. In that moment, it seemed as though the battle was finally lost. It is only after an uplifting conversation with his father from beyond the grave that Thor is able to carry on and defeat Hela.
Heimdall's Death
Heimdall was a fixture of the first three Thor films, acting as the keeper of the Bifrost, who could see every soul in the known universe, with very few exceptions. Stern and resolute, he proved to be Thor's greatest ally and closest friend until his death at the hands of Thanos in the opening scene of Infinity War.
Thor always blamed himself for Heimdall's demise, as it was he who had silently pleaded for his friend to interfere, which led to Thanos executing him in cold blood. Later, in a conversation with Rocket Racoon, Thor referred to Heimdall as his "best friend," making his loss sting all the worse.
Asgard's Destruction
Scenes such as the destruction of Asgard are part of what makes one of the best MCU films to watch in Disney+'s IMAX setting. Yet, despite the glorious visuals of such an event, Asgard's fall at the hands of the underworld god Surtur was a deeply tragic occurrence to those who had once called it home.
Thor endured a greater pain as a result of Asgard's destruction because he was the one to blame for it. It was he that put into motion the events that spelled the planet's doom in order to defeat the increasingly powerful Hela. As king of Asgard, Thor felt like he had failed in living up to the legacy of his forefathers.
Odin's Death
The Allfather of Asgard, Odin, had a tumultuous relationship with his two sons, to say the least. Despite their often tenuous family ties, the king of the gods was pleased to have both of his boys beside him in his final moments, when he ed on at last.
While he too had had his issues with Odin, Thor was the more distraught of Odin's sons after his father's ing. Had Hela not arrived only moments later, the god of thunder may have even allowed his anger to push him to attack Loki, blaming him for the situation they were now in.
His Mother Dying
Unlike the death of Odin, Frigga received an early death, stabbed through the heart by a dark elf as she attempted to defend Jane Foster from being discovered. Frigga's death was heroic, and met with great sadness by her family, as she had forged a meaningful relationship with Thor, Loki, and Odin respectively in her time with them.
While Thor and Frigga shared very few scenes together during their time in the MCU, their relationship is put on display during the time travel antics of Avengers: Endgame. She is shown to have been a kind and comionate mother to her sons, one whose bravery would not soon be forgotten after her death.
Failing To Stop Thanos
In conversation with Rocket Raccoon in Infinity War, Thor speaks one of the saddest lines in the MCU, asking what more he could possibly lose if his battle with Thanos went awry. Unfortunately for the broken god, this is a question he would be forced to learn the answer to after failing to stop the Mad Titan from erasing half the universe with a snap of his fingers.
Thor's failure in the Battle of Wakanda was something that he could never allow himself to move on from. And, as the years ed by one by one, Thor stopped taking care of himself, withdrawing inward in his shame. The Thor that Hulk and Rocket recruit in Endgame is truly a broken god.
Loki's Death
When Thanos and his Black Order attacked the Asgardian refugee vessel at the opening of Infinity War, it was clear that things were not going to go well for everyone's favorite heroes. This was never more tangible than when Thanos casually murdered Loki in front of Thor's very eyes, throwing his lifeless body to the ground without a second thought.
Though the two brothers were not exactly close, there was a deep love between them that transcended their rivalry. No matter how many times Thor had mourned his brother's ing only to learn that he had somehow survived, he never stopped loving his younger sibling. To watch as the life drained from his face, knowing that they had finally found the common ground they had so desperately searched for all their lives, was too much for Thor to handle, sending him down a very dark road.
