The Saga of the Volsungs

by Byock, Jesse L.

• ISBN13: 9780520232853
• ISBN10: 0520232852
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-11-19
• Publisher: PENGUIN

Summary

A trove of traditional lore, this Icelandic prose epic tells of love, jealousy, vengeance, war, and the mythic deeds of the dragonslayer, Sigurd the Volsung. The saga is of special interest to admirers of Richard Wagner, who drew heavily upon this Norse source in writing his Ring Cycle. With its magical ring acquired by the hero, and the sword to be reforged, the saga has also been a primary source for writers of fantasy such as J.R.R. Tolkien and romantics such as William Morris. Byock's comprehensive introduction explores the history, legends, and myths contained in the saga and traces the development of a narrative that reaches back to the period of the great folk migrations in Europe when the Roman Empire collapsed.

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