The Saga of the Volsungs

The Norse Epic of Sigurd the Dragon Slayer

Jesse Byock, Jesse L. Byock

$22.99

Paperback

In stock
Ready to ship

QTY:

Penguin Classics
02 August 1999

Literature, Poetry & Criticism; Literary essays; Classic fiction (pre c 1945); Myth & legend told as fiction; Penguin Black Classics; Literature, Poetry & Criticism

A tale of princely jealousy and vengeance, the Saga has been an inspiration for Wagner and J.R.R. Tolkien

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 magical knowledge from one of Odin's Valkyries. Yet it is also set in a very human world, incorporating strands from the oral narratives of the fourth and fifth centuries, when Attila the Hun and other warriors fought on the northern frontiers of the Roman Empire. One of the great books of world literature, the saga is an unforgettable tale of princely jealousy, unrequited love, greed and vengeance. With its cursed treasure of the Rhine, sword reforged and magic ring of power, it was a major influence for writers including William Morris and J. R. R. Tolkein and for Wagner's Ring cycle.

By: Jesse Byock
Translated by: Jesse L. Byock
Imprint: Penguin Classics
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 198mm, Width: 129mm, Spine: 9mm
Weight: 123g
ISBN: 9780140447385
ISBN 10: 0140447385
Pages: 160
Publication Date: 02 August 1999
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

The Icelandic author of THE SAGA OF THE VOLSUNGS is unknown and based his prose epic on strories found in earlier Norse poetry. Jesse Bycock is Professor of Icelandic and Old Norse Literature at the University of California and has published work on Medieval Iceland.

Reviews for The Saga of the Volsungs: The Norse Epic of Sigurd the Dragon Slayer

A tale of princely jealousy, unrequited love, greed and vengeance, this is one of the great source books of world literature. Based on Viking-age poems, incorporating oral memories of the 4th and 5th centuries, it follows the heroic deeds of Sigurd the dragon slayer. With its ill-fated Rhinegold, the sword reforged and the magic ring of power, the saga has clearly been an inspiration for fantasy writers such as J R R Tolkein and for Richard Wagner's Ring cycle, not to mention the Star Wars films. (Kirkus UK)