Völsunga

Völsunga is a cycle of Old Norse poems and prose works that form part of the larger Eddic corpus, which includes the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda. The term "Völsunga" refers to the descendants of Völsung, a legendary hero who is the ancestor of many notable figures in Norse mythology. The cycle is notable for its exploration of themes such as heroism, fate, and the consequences of one's actions.

The Völsunga cycle begins with the poem "Völsungakviða," which tells the story of Völsung's birth and his subsequent rise to power. The poem is followed by "Völundarkviða," which focuses on the hero Völund, a descendant of Völsung, and his quest for the Mead of Poetry. The cycle continues with the prose work "Völsunga saga," which provides a more detailed account of the events surrounding Völsung's descendants, including the tragic story of Sigurd, a hero known for his slaying of the dragon Fafnir.

The Völsunga cycle is significant for its portrayal of the Norse concept of fate, or skuld, which holds that individuals are bound by their destiny and the actions of their ancestors. The cycle also explores the theme of heroism, with many of its characters embodying the ideal of the strong and brave warrior. The works within the Völsunga cycle have had a lasting impact on Norse literature and continue to be studied and appreciated by scholars and enthusiasts of Old Norse culture.