"Ragnar and Lagertha's Complex Relationship in Vikings: An Analysis"

Summary

The relationship between Ragnar and Lagertha in the Vikings series was marked by ups and downs, but their love story remains understandable to contemporary audiences. Lagertha made decisions that prioritized her personal interests over those of her son, creating conflicts and difficulties in the family dynamic. Ragnar's actions, such as betraying Lagertha and putting their son at risk, ultimately led to the ruin of their once happy marriage.

Ragnar Lothbrok, although a legendary hero in Vikings, is much more than that and his romance with Lagertha was a crucial part of the series. However, due to situations such as the relationship between Rollo and Lagertha and Ragnar's terrible actions against his own family, their relationship was full of disappointing moments. Both play major roles in Vikings and, whether married or divorced, play an important part in the story throughout the series. The worst things they've done to each other are almost as bad as the fights the Vikings have faced.

Ragnar and Lagertha lived in a peculiar period in Viking history, but their love story remains identifiable, even many years later. They had ups and downs, and even modern audiences can identify with their struggles. As a loving couple, they built a family, but then mistakes and wrong decisions tore them apart. They eventually became enemies, although their feelings remained strong from start to finish, whether it was love or hate. They reached the end of Ragnar's life, and their relationship ended with a kiss, showing that true love never dies.

The worst things Lagertha did to Ragnar

Lagertha took Bjorn away

When Lagertha divorced Ragnar, she had every right to end the relationship. However, she went further by leaving the city. This decision forced Bjorn to choose between his parents. For the sake of Ragnar and Bjorn, Lagertha could have stayed closer to Kattegat. This could have allowed Bjorn and his father to maintain a relationship, and he would never have had to choose between his parents. Although no one could blame her for wanting to leave her ex-husband and the woman he was leaving her for, there was more at stake than that.

Lagertha lied about Bjorn's ancestry

At the beginning of Lagertha and Ragnar's relationship, she was also with Ragnar's brother, Rollo. Ragnar claimed that he stole Lagertha from Rollo, but Lagertha and Rollo were together before that happened, years before the first season of Vikings began its story. Not only did Lagertha lie about the length of her relationship with Rollo, but when she realized that Rollo could have been Bjorn's father, she never told Ragnar. Therefore, Lagertha hurt Bjorn and Ragnar by deceiving the lineage of her "eldest son".

Lagertha chose her best interest over her son

When Lagertha left Ragnar, she took her son with her. Over time, however, she made a series of choices that were better for her life and her goals than his. For example, after they left Ragnar, Lagertha chose to marry a nearby Jarl called Earl Sigvard instead of starting a life of her own. Trying to stay in power, she put her son in a situation with an abusive stepfather and social misery. Lagertha's decision resulted in Earl humiliating Bjorn so much that the boy felt like running away.

Lagertha had a relationship with Rollo

The first Lothbrok to love Lagertha was Rollo, a Viking's fierce bear. However, when Ragnar came on the scene, he took her away and married her. It's clear, however, that Lagertha wasn't very frank about the depth of her relationship with Rollo. It wasn't just a flirtation; the two were deeply entangled and spent a lot of intimate time together before she chose Ragnar. Maybe even a bit more after Ragnar chose her.

Lagertha ended Aslaug's reign and life

Although Ragnar spent most of his time away from Kattegat, he left his wife, Princess Aslaug, to look after the village and the lands. Her diplomatic and managerial ways worked very well for the place, but as the years went by, she became increasingly despondent, lonely and troubled. Perhaps Lagertha did Kattegat a favor by killing Aslaug and taking over his reign. However, she still killed the mother of Ragnar's sons, Ubbe, Hvitserk, Sigurd "Snake in the Eye" and Ivar "the Boneless".

The worst things Ragnar did to Lagertha

Ragnar had his farm sacked

Before Ragnar's ambition and prophetic dreams got in the way of their marriage, he and Lagertha lived happily on their farm. Lagertha even regrets missing this moment in their lives in later seasons. However, Ragnar's ambition ruined their happy life together. His expeditions to England threatened the Jarl, and he felt so threatened by Ragnar's confidence and adventures that he plundered his farms. If he hadn't insisted on plundering across the sea, they could have lived happy lives as farmers.

Ragnar betrayed Lagertha

For true fans of the series, it's clear that Lagertha is the woman Ragnar loved the most. Despite this, Ragnar was traveling between Kattegat and Götaland to settle a land dispute when he met a self-styled princess and was attracted to her. He entered her bath and she demanded an apology, to which he replied with a riddle. Aslaug seemed impressed and eventually the two slept together.

Ragnar abandoned his family in Kattegat

The second he became Jarl of Kattegat, Ragnar left his family and the village to their own devices. Luckily for him, Lagertha knew how to rule people, but she left a pregnant wife, forcing her to supervise a lot during an already difficult part of her life. Lagertha is a strong and independent lady, but he didn't have to leave at that moment, when she was pregnant with one of his heirs. Instead, Ragnar left and they had to sort everything out without him.

Ragnar put Bjorn in danger

Although Ragnar's encouragement in combat helped make Bjorn the great warrior he became, he also willingly put Bjorn in danger. Instead of trying to keep his son safer, even in the early days, Ragnar often put his son on the front line. Understandably, Lagertha didn't support this. After all, her son had barely fought in real battle scenarios before he was thrown into real danger.

Ragnar destroyed their marriage

Of all the bad things Ragnar and Lagertha did to each other, they often found the strength to forgive each other. Their bond as warriors and friends always came first. That is, except in the case of marriage. Ragnar choosing Aslaug and his son over Lagertha separated the couple irreparably. Ragnar began the series in love with his fiancée, and they seemed to have a perfect life. It wasn't long before he destroyed everything with one of the worst things he could do.

Vikings is a historical drama series created for the History Channel by Michael Hirst. Based on stories passed down through Norse tradition, the series focuses on the Lodbrok family and their lives during medieval Scandinavia. The family is formally established with the rise of Ragnar Lodbrok, a farmer turned Viking who comes to power as Scandinavian king.