(08/22/2008) The Saga Of King Hrolf Kraki by Jesse L. Byock. New York. 1998. Penguin Books. Translated From The Icelandic & With An Introduction By Jesse L by ock. keywords: Literature Iceland Scandinavia Translated Mythology Saga. 263 pages. The cover shows a detail from a bronze plaque showing a hero struggling with two bears found at Torslunda, Oland in the Statens Historiska Museet, Stockholm. 9780140435931.
FROM THE PUBLISHER -
'He was a beast by day, even if he again became a man at night.' Composed in medieval Iceland, Hrolf's saga is one of the greatest of all mythic-legendary sagas, relating half-fantastical events that were said to have occurred in fifth-century Denmark. It tells of the exploits of King Hrolf and of his famous champions, including Bodvar Bjarki, the 'bear-warrior': a powerful figure whose might and bear-like nature are inspired by the same legendary heritage as Beowulf. Depicting a world of wizards, sorceresses and 'berserker' fighters - originally members of a cult of Odin - this is a compelling tale of ancient magic. A work of timeless power and beauty, it offers both a treasury of Icelandic prose and a masterful gathering of epic, cultic memory, traditional folk tale and myth from the Viking age and far earlier. This translation by Jesse L by ock captures the elegant simplicity of the original. His introduction considers the history of the myths and the influence of Christianity upon the saga. This edition also includes a map, genealogical tables and a glossary of proper names.
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