sigurd and the volsunga saga Flashcards
Sigurd
principle hero of Norse mythology
stories preserved in Poetic edda, prose edda, and Volsunga saga (all 13th C)
sigurd is son of
sigmund who dies at hands of King Lyngli’s warriors
who fosters Sigurd
Reign (brother to Fafnir and Otr)
Prophecies associated with Sigurd’s birth
king was glad when he saw the keen eyes he had. Says no one would be like him or a match for him, and he was sprinkled with water and named Sigurd
what early interactions does sigurd have with the gods?
when choosing a horse encounters bearded man in the forest, helps him choose horse and vanishes (this was Odin)
how is sigurds military prowess described?
felled men and horses, advancing through enemy line. both arms bloody to the shoulders. no one thought that hed seen such a man before
after stealing gold, what happens to fafnir?
he transforms into a dragon, lies on the treasure
how does a god help sigurd slay fafnir?
odin in guise of an old man gives him advice on how to kill him (dig a pit and sit in it, stab to the heart)
when sigurd licks fafnirs blood from his thumb what power does he gain? what does he learn from this power?
He can talk to the birds. He learns that reign is going to kill him, and would be smarter than anyone if he ate the heart
why was brynhild sleeping?
Odin promised victory to Hjalmgunnar (an old warrior) who was battling Agnar. She killed Hjalmgunnar and Odin pricked her with the sleep thorn
what practical advice does brynhild give sigurd? how does it relate to leadership?
behave well towards your army, treat them with respect. don’t fight with fools
Ramsund carving
(1030) depicts Sigurd killing fafnir and other events of this story
