The Saga of the Volsungs

by Anonymous (Author); Byock, Jesse L. (Translator)

• ISBN13: 9780140447385
• ISBN10: 0140447385
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-01-01
• Publisher: Penguin Classics

Summary

Based on Viking Age poems, The Saga of the Volsungs combines mythology, legend and sheer human drama. At its heart are the heroic deeds of Sigurd the dragon slayer who acquires runic knowledge from one of Odin's Valkyries. Yet it is also set in a very human world, incorporating oral memories of the fourth and fifth centuries, when Attila the Hun and other warriors fought on the northern frontiers of the Roman empire. An illuminating Introduction links the historical Huns, Burgundians and Goths with the events of this Icelandic saga, whose author claimed that Sigurd's name was 'known in all tongues north of the Greek Ocean, and so it must remain while the world endures'. With its ill-fated Rhinegold, the sword reforged and the magic ring of power, the saga resembles the Nibelungenlied. It has been a primary source for fantasy writers, such as William Morris and J. R. R. Tolkien, and for Richard Wagner's Ring cycle.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(4)
Representations of the Volsung Story in Norse Art	5	(3)
Myths, Heroes, and Social Realities	8	(3)
History and Legend: Burgundians, Huns, Goths, and Sigurd the Dragon Slayer	11	(15)
Richard Wagner and the Saga of the Volsungs	26	(5)
Note on the Translation	31	(2)
The Saga of the Volsungs	33	(78)
Odin Guides Sigi from the Otherworld	35	(2)
The Birth of Volsung	37	(1)
Sigmund Draws the Sword from Barnstock	38	(1)
Siggeir Plots Revenge	39	(1)
The Fall of Volsung	40	(2)
Signy Plots Revenge	42	(1)
Signy Gives Birth to Sinfjotli	43	(1)
Sigmund and Sinfjotli Don the Skins	44	(4)
Helgi Marries Sigrun	48	(2)
Concerning the Volsungs	50	(2)
Sigmund Marries Hjordis	52	(1)
Hjordis Remarries	53	(2)
The Birth of Sigurd	55	(2)
The Otter's Ransom	57	(2)
Regin Fashions Gram	59	(1)
Gripir Foretells Sigurd's Future	60	(1)
Sigurd Kills Lyngvi and Hjorvard and All the Others	61	(2)
Regin and Sigurd Go Riding	63	(2)
Regin Drinks Fafnir's Blood	65	(1)
Sigurd Eats the Serpent's Heart	66	(1)
Concerning Sigurd	67	(4)
Brynhild's Wise Counsel	71	(1)
Concerning Sigurd's Appearance	72	(1)
Sigurd Comes to Heimir	73	(1)
The Conversation between Sigurd and Brynhild	73	(2)
Concerning King Gjuki and His Sons	75	(2)
Brynhild Interprets Gudrun's Dream	77	(1)
The Ale of Forgetfulness is Blended for Sigurd	78	(2)
Sigurd Rides through the Wavering Flames of Brynhild, the Daughter of Budli	80	(2)
Dispute of the Queens, Brynhild and Gudrun	82	(2)
Brynhild's Grief Only Increases	84	(4)
The Betrayal of Sigurd	88	(4)
Brynhild's Request	92	(1)
The Disappearance of Gudrun	93	(3)
Gudrun Carves Runes	96	(2)
Hogni Interprets His Wife's Dream	98	(1)
The Brothers' Journey from Home	99	(1)
The Battle in the Fortress and the Victory	100	(1)
Hogni is Captured	101	(2)
The Conversation between Atli and Gudrun	103	(3)
Concerning Gudrun	106	(1)
Svanhild is Married and Trampled to Death under the Hooves of Horses	106	(1)
Gudrun Urges Her Sons to Avenge Svanhild	107	(1)
Concerning the Sons of Gudrun. The Final Chapter	108	(3)
Notes	111	(12)
Eddic Poems Used by The Saga Author	123	(2)
Glossary	125