Sigurd the Volsung

Sigurd the Volsung

        The story of Sigurd begins by introducing the great-grandson of Odin, and king of Hunland, Volsung. Volsung had twins, Sigmund and Signy, who were considered the most nobel of all of Volsung’s children. During the wedding feast for Signy Odin appears and plunges a sword into an oak tree. Odin says, “Whoever draws this sword from this oak will have the sword as my gift to him, and will find that he never had a better friend in time of need.” (Northern Mythology) Many tried to pull the sword out of the tree, but only Sigmund was capable of pulling it the sword out. Sigmund would become king and during his reign Sigmund was forced to fight against an invading army. During the battle Sigmund met Odin on the battlefield. Odin informed Sigmund that his time had come and then shattered his sword. Sigmund would lose the war and receive a fatal wound. Before he would succumb to his wounds Sigmund told his wife to save the pieces of the sword for their child, Sigurd.

        Sigurd would grow to be a great and fierce warrior.         The first big test that Sigurd would face was to kill Fafnir, the brother of Regin, Sigurd’s tutor. Regin actually tricked Sigurd into killing Fafnir and then roasting his heart in order for Regin to eat the heart and become the wisest of all men. Sigurd became aware of this betrayal while roasting Fafnir’s heart. Blood from Fafnir’s heart fell onto Sigurd’s hand and began to burn his finger. Sigurd stuck his finger into his mouth and by doing so the blood gave Sigurd the ability to hear and understand birds. Sigurd heard the birds discussing Regin’s plan. After becoming aware of the plan to betray him Sigurd would behead Regin and drink the blood from both Fafnir and Regin. During this time Sigurd would be tempted and find the temptations irresistible. Sigurd would steal Fafnir’s ring which was cursed by a dwarf named Andvari. Sigurd would also ride into Fafnir’s den and steal his treasures.        

        Sigurd’s next test would be to ride off to Hindfell and rescue the Valkyrie Brynhild. Brynhild was trapped in a ring of fire after betraying Odin. Before entrapping Brynhild Odin explained that she would be saved by a fierce warrior who would ride through the ring of fire and possess the courage that Brynhild would desire. Upon making it through the ring of fire, Sigurd would remove a thorn from Brynhild’s hand and awaken her. Brynhild explained to Sigurd what Odin had foretold. Upon hearing this Sigurd would chose Brynhild to be his wife and then gave Brynhild the ring he had stolen from Fafnir. Sigurd would leave Brynhild in the ring of fire in order to visit his friend Gunnar, a prince. Sigurd promised Brynhild he would return for her and then left.

        Sigurd travels to the kingdom south of the Rhine River and meets King Giuki. Queen Grimhild, upon seeing the “wealth, fame, and glory that follows Sigurd” (Northern Mythology) decides to drug Sigurd causing him to forget everything he knows about Brynhild. The queen then convinces King Giuki to offer their daughter to Sigurd for marriage. This is another temptation that Sigurd is unable to resist and accepts the king’s gift and marries Princess Gudrun. Shortly after Gunnar convinces Sigurd to ride to Hindfell in order to pursue the Valkyrie Brynhild. Upon reaching the ring of fire Gunnar lacks the courage to pass through the ring and teaches Sigurd how to transform his shape to resemble Gunnar. Sigurd is successful, and having no fear of the ring passes through the flames and saves Brynhild. Brynhild, believing that Sigurd had forgotten about her, agress to marry Gunnar. Brynhild and Sigurd, still in the shape of Gunnar marry and return to the castle to live with each other. While living at the castle Gudrun and Brynhild get into an argument during which Gudrun tells Brynhild that it wasn’t Gunnar that truly saved her. Gudrun told Brynhild the true story of how Gunnar taught Sigurd how to change his shape and that Gunnar lacked the courage required to pass through the flames. Brynhild became outraged by the lies and deceit. Brynhild told Gudrun of how Sigurd had saved her prior to their marriage and of the promised Sigurd had made to Brynhild. Brynhild, unaware that the queen had caused Sigurd to forget about her, began to the killing of Sigurd. Brynhild would tell many false stories and lies to Gunnar in order to convince him to kill Sigurd. After being convinced, Gunnar, Hogni and Sigurd went out on a hunting trip. During this trip Sigurd stopped for a drink of water from a river and during this time Sigurd would receive the fatal blow from a sword being plunged into his only weak spot. During the funeral, Brynhild would commit suicide, plunging a sword into her side. As she was dying she requested that they “carry my corpse to Sigurd’s funeral pyre. Place rich tapestries and golden shields around the pyre. Then place me next to Sigurd with his sword between us as it was when he slept with me in my shield hall. We will burn as husband and wife and leave this earth together.” (Rosenberg, Donna 1999)

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