# The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún
## Introduction
- Overview of the book
- Written by J.R.R. Tolkien
- Posthumously published by his son, Christopher Tolkien
- Based on Norse mythology and the Volsung Saga
- Purpose of the work
- To retell the ancient legends in poetic form
- To explore themes of heroism, fate, and tragedy
## Part I: The New Lay of the Volsungs
- The Rise of the Volsungs
- Sigi, the ancestor of the Volsungs
- The birth of Völsung, the great king
- The marriage of Völsung's children to powerful figures
- Sigurd the Dragon Slayer
- The forging of Gram, the magical sword
- The slaying of Fafnir, the dragon
- Sigurd's acquisition of the cursed treasure
- Sigurd and Brynhild
- The awakening of Brynhild, the Valkyrie
- The promise of love between Sigurd and Brynhild
- Betrayal and the breaking of oaths
## Part II: The New Lay of Gudrún
- The Tragedy of Gudrún
- Gudrún's marriage to Sigurd
- The betrayal by Gudrún's brother, Gunnar
- Sigurd's murder and Gudrún's grief
- Gudrún's Revenge
- Gudrún's marriage to Atli (Attila the Hun)
- The plot to avenge Sigurd's death
- The destruction of Atli and his kingdom
- The Legacy of the Volsungs
- The fall of the Volsung line
- The enduring impact of their story
- Reflections on fate and destiny
## Themes and Symbolism
- Heroism and Honor
- The ideals of the Norse hero
- The consequences of breaking oaths
- Fate and Free Will
- The inevitability of destiny
- The struggle against predetermined outcomes
- Love and Betrayal
- The power of love to transcend boundaries
- The destructive nature of betrayal
## Appendices
- Notes on the Poetic Form
- Tolkien's use of alliterative verse
- Comparison to Old Norse poetry
- Historical Context
- The sources of the Volsung Saga
- The influence of Norse mythology on Tolkien's work