Atrove of traditional lore, this Icelandic prose epic tells of love, jealousy, vengeance, war, and the mythic deeds of the dragon slayer Sigurd the Volsung. The Saga of the Volsungs is of special interest to admirers of Richard Wagner, who drew heavily upon it in writing his Ring cycle. With its motifs of a magical ring acquired by the hero and a sword to be reforged, the saga has also been a primary source for writers of fantasy such as J. R. R. Tolkien and romantics such as William Morris. Byocks comprehensive introduction explores the history, legends, and myths contained in the saga and traces the development of a narrative that reaches back to the great folk migrations in Europe when the Roman Empire collapsed.