I am now halfway through Season 3 of Norsemen.
Though Orm remains a cowardly, self-centered individual (and, generally speaking, an a-hole), it's become clearer to me why that might be the case.
(Slight spoilers ahead)
Orm was an odd, lonely child. Ignored or picked on by other children, including his own brother. That's what we gather from the sparse snippets of his backstory in the series. So alone, he crafted an imaginary companion for himself with a stick. Which was promptly shattered by his father, because he did not approve of it.
HIS OWN FATHER. SHATTERED. HIS TOY. AND ONLY FRIEND.
It comes as no surprise then, that Orm would come to care only for himself, to protect himself. Because if he didn't, then who else would've?
Seems almost insignificant, but I can see it becoming a self sustaining circle after that. Retreating into himself as a result --> being bullied even more --> retreating into himself even more, and so it goes on and on
Also, he's clearly a homosexual man who married a woman out of loneliness. We see he initially didn't even want to marry Frøya, but as soon as he figured out he'd have a lifetime companion, who'd love him no matter what? Ohh, he was sold.
I just wonder how different he could've become if he'd been included and appreciated more as a child. If he had the potential to be a better person overall. If someone had been willing to crochet and recite poetry with him. Maybe.