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Egil's Saga tells the story of the long and brutal life of tenth-century warrior-poet and farmer Egil Skallagrimsson- a morally ambiguous character who was at once the composer of intricately beautiful poetry, and a physical grotesque capable of staggering brutality. The saga recounts Egil's progression from youthful savagery to mature wisdom as he struggles to avenge his father's exile from Norway, defend his honour against the Norwegian King Erik Bloodaxe, and fight for the English King Athelstan in his battles against Scotland. Exploring issues as diverse as the question of loyalty, the power of poetry, and the relationship between two brothers who love the same woman, Egil's Saga is a fascinating depiction of a deeply human character.… (more)
I was quite excited to find this volume at my a local used book sale - I've been trying to read more of the myths and sagas written before the introduction of Christianity. While this set of stories is written some years after Egil, this saga certainly fits the bill.
By the time Snorri Sturluson wrote them, he was using stories that have been passed down through the centuries, so while Egil is a real person, and he was an important historical figure, what we know about him is a mix of truth, hyperbole, and completely false. This doesn't detract from the story.
These stories are both brutal and beautiful. This is a time of brutality. Where death is both casual and done at at a whim. Egil spends part of his time raiding in other places, often killing people just because they were in his way. However, he had his moments. He is regarded as a great poet, and his poetry is renowned across Iceland and Sweden.
Highly recommended. Its a great read, full of adventure, but also sheds light into the Viking world. ( )
Egil Skallagrimsson was an Icelandic Poet, whose biography sets the adventurous side of Viking life, firmly in our minds. From his adolescent homicides to his death Egil seems to wring every last ounce of fun from what was a difficult life. He was an outlaw, and a confidant (in his opinion) of kings. It is a setting for his poetry, and unlike the "Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini", the reader is left liking the subject. Sturlsson was a good biographer, and Palsson an excellent translator of the work. The date of the original work has been placed at the 1230's. Forty-two years later, the work stands up well. though now Egil seems to be more greedy than canny, and very prone to violence. ( )
There was a man named Ulf, the son of Bjalfi and of Hallbera, the daughter of Ulf the Fearless.
(translated by Bernard Scudder, 1997)
There was a man named Wolf, the son of Bialfi and of Hallbera, daughter of Wolf the Fearless; she was a sister to Hallbiorn Half-troll in Hrafnista, the father of Ketil Haeng.
There was a man named Ulf Bjalfason.
(translated by Hermann Pálsson and Paul Edwards, 1976)
Quotations
Last words
Skuli fought seven battles during his viking career, and was forecastleman for Earl Eirik on the Iron-Prow when King Olaf Tryggvason fell.
(translated by Hermann Pálsson and Paul Edwards, 1976)
Egil's Saga tells the story of the long and brutal life of tenth-century warrior-poet and farmer Egil Skallagrimsson- a morally ambiguous character who was at once the composer of intricately beautiful poetry, and a physical grotesque capable of staggering brutality. The saga recounts Egil's progression from youthful savagery to mature wisdom as he struggles to avenge his father's exile from Norway, defend his honour against the Norwegian King Erik Bloodaxe, and fight for the English King Athelstan in his battles against Scotland. Exploring issues as diverse as the question of loyalty, the power of poetry, and the relationship between two brothers who love the same woman, Egil's Saga is a fascinating depiction of a deeply human character.
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Penguin Classic blurb: Egil's Saga tells the story of the long and brutal life of the tenth-century warrior-poet and farmer Egil Skallagrimsson: a psychologically ambiguous character who was at once the composer of intricately beautiful poetry, and a physical grotesque capable of staggering brutality. This Icelandic saga recounts Egil's progression from youthful savagery to mature wisdom as he struggles to defend his honour in a running feud against the Norwegian King Erick Blood-axe, fights for the English King Athelstan in his battles against Scotland and embarks on colourful Viking raids across northern Europe. Exploring issues as diverse as loyalty, the power of poetry and the relationship between two brothers who love the same woman, Egil's Saga is a fascinating depiction of a deeply human character, and one of the true masterpieces of medieval literature.
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