Styrbiorn the Strong · Chapter
A Banquet in Upsala explained
King Eric holds a great feast in Upsala, where he intends to grant Styrbiorn half the Swedish kingdom at a Thing.
What happens
King Eric holds a great feast in Upsala, where he intends to grant Styrbiorn half the Swedish kingdom at a Thing. The feast also celebrates Styrbiorn's betrothal to Thyri, daughter of King Harald Gormson. During the banquet, a skald recites the 'Hell-ride of Brynhild,' which deeply affects Styrbiorn, who becomes entranced by Queen Sigrid, imagining her as Brynhild. His gaze meets hers, and he is overwhelmed with desire, drinking heavily to steady himself.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Destruction
The skald's tale of Brynhild and Sigurd illustrates love intertwined with betrayal and doom; Styrbiorn's infatuation with Queen Sigrid foreshadows potential ruin.
Fate and Prophecy
The song's narrative of Odin's curse and Brynhild's doomed fate echoes the theme of inescapable destiny, which Styrbiorn ponders.
Kingship and Legitimacy
King Eric's planned grant of half the kingdom to Styrbiorn at the Thing underscores the legal and ceremonial basis of royal authority.
Characters to notice
- King Eric
Hosts the great feast and betrothal banquet, planning to grant Styrbiorn half the kingdom at the Thing.
- Styrbiorn the Strong
The betrothed of Thyri, seated in the high seat opposite King Eric; becomes entranced by Queen Sigrid during the skald's song.
- Thyri
Daughter of King Harald Gormson, betrothed to Styrbiorn at the feast, seated beside him.
- Queen Brynhild
Subject of the skald's song 'Hell-ride of Brynhild'; Styrbiorn imagines Queen Sigrid as Brynhild.
- Helgi
One of Styrbiorn's men, seated near the door, making cynical remarks about Styrbiorn's pride and eyeing the King's bondmaid.
- Thorgisl
One of Styrbiorn's men, conversing with Helgi and Thorir about the feast and Styrbiorn's demeanor.
- Thorir
One of Styrbiorn's men, joining Helgi and Thorgisl in their whispered talk.
Key passages
“King Eric made ready now a great feast of many days, and summoned a Thing to be holden in the middle term thereof, at which Thing he was minded to make over and give unto Styrbiorn, his brother's son, with all lawful ceremonies and before the face of the Swedes in lawful Thing assembled, that half share of the kingly power in Sweden which King Olaf had held aforetime.”
King Eric prepared a multi-day feast and called a Thing, intending to legally grant Styrbiorn the half of Sweden that had belonged to King Olaf.
Establishes the political and ceremonial context of the chapter.
“And the feast was in honour as well of this greater matter as of Styrbiorn's betrothal unto Thyri the daughter of King Harald Gormson.”
The feast celebrated both Styrbiorn's upcoming kingship and his betrothal to Thyri.
Highlights the dual purpose of the banquet.
“Now all were silent listening while the skald spake that lay, for he spake it well and in a manner to touch men's hearts.”
Everyone fell silent, moved by the skald's powerful recitation of the lay.
Shows the emotional impact of the song on the audience.
“Styrbiorn sat still, harkening attentively; and while he harkened his gaze was bent on Sigrid the Queen, where she sat over against him at the King's right hand.”
Styrbiorn listened intently, his eyes fixed on Queen Sigrid across the table.
Introduces Styrbiorn's fixation on the Queen during the performance.
“Then, at the words, 'Upbraided me Gudrun, Giuki's daughter,' he looked up: met, for the first time, Sigrid's glance, and became on the instant like a man drunk.”
When the skald spoke of Gudrun's reproach, Styrbiorn looked up and locked eyes with Sigrid, becoming instantly intoxicated with desire.
Climactic moment of Styrbiorn's infatuation.
