So many modern sci-fi/fantasy books or movies are based on legends of old. One only has to compare Norse and Greek mythology against books written by Tolkein, Lewis, Rowling etc.. to see where present-day authors draw their inspirations from.
For example, when composing his Middle Earth mythology, author J.R.R. Tolkien based his tales based on four major classical epics: Beowulf, Saga of Volsung, Saga of Hrolf Kraki, and the legend of King Arthur. While most people have heard of Beowulf and King Arthur, not many people know the story of Saga of Volsung, or the legend of King Hrolf Kraki.
Introduction:
Saga of Volsung, and Hrolf Kraki, are two of the tales that belongs to a collection of Norse epic saga. In the Saga of Hrolf Kraki, the events can be dated to 5th or 6th AD. The original manuscript is composed by an anonymous author was probably written between 12 to 14 AD. Unlike the Saga of Volsung, which has been re-told in German as the epic poem Nibelungenlied, it has also received more attention as it was published as J.R.R Tolkien "The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun".
The Saga of King Hrolf Kraki on the other hand, never received such treatment, and this twisted, fantastic and heroic tale is almost forgotten in the sands the time. Which is really sad, not only because the Saga of Hrolf Kraki is actually contemporary with Beowulf, but also because Saga of Hrolf Kraki, is purely Northern, while King Hrolf is to Scandinavia as Arthur is to Britain, and Charlemagne to France.
Since Saga of Hrolf Kraki was written in Old English, as an epic poem (translated version is also contextualized as an epic poem) it is not easily accessible to readers of modern generation. In 1973, British Sci-Fi/Fantasy author Poul Anderson, after doing years of research, re-wrote Hrolf Kraki's Saga in a more or less contemporary language, and brought this ancient Danish legend back to live.
Story:
Hrolf Kraki's saga told the tragic tale of King Hrolf Kraki and his 12 heroic captains. This is a tale that takes after the tradition of Norse legends. Packed with elements of love, betrayal, violence, political conflicts, power struggle, revenge and survival. It is not a fairy tale for the kids, as it does not have a happy ending.
The story starts with the introduction of Hrolf Kraki's ancestral line, and how his father and his uncle took back the thrones of Denmark after his grandfather was murdered. His father, King Helgi, young and ruthless raped a Saxon Queen Olof, and she is conceived with a girl who she hated, and she named the child Ysra. She gave Yrsa to a peasant to raise, King Helgi never knew he had a child with Olof. 15 years later, a more matured King Helgi happened upon a teenage peasant girl, whose name is Ysra. Not knowing that Ysra is his own daughter, he fell in love with Ysra, and took her as his queen, and fathered her a boy child Hrolf. In the middle of their happiness, Queen Olof seize the moment for revenge, traveled to Denmark and revealed that Ysra is actually the child from their violent encounter years back. The revelation caused much suffering and grief in both King Helgi and Ysra. Ending with Ysra being forced to re-marry a greedy evil king in Sweden, and King Helgi being betrayed and died in a murderous ambush. Leaving Denmark in turmoil and Hrolf Kraki a troubled legacy.
The main story is about how Hrolf Kraki rose to power, and gathered the most renowned and mightiest warriors from across the Nordic countries under his banner. However, his half sister Skuld, is a witch who is jealous of Hrolf's position as the king of Denmark, and is always plotting his doom. Eventually, Hrolf and his warriors would fall under his own sister's plotting, and Denmark plunges into an era of darkness and violence for a century before it is re-united again.
Thoughts:
Hrolf Kraki's saga, is essentially a fantasy story with historical background. This is a story that has heroes, magical swords, elfs, monsters, werebears and epic battles. There are some really likable characters, for example, my favorite character is the bear-sized warrior Bodvar Bjarki, whose father was a werebear because of a curse. He was unmatched in combat, and faithful to Hrolf Kraki until his drew last breath in the final battle against Skuld.
The story not only portrayed the life and culture in pre-Christianized Nordic regions, but it also shows the cruelty of the pagan, Norse Gods. Especially the one-eyed Odin, who despised those who brings peace, and can only be pleased through battles. In Hrolf Kraki's saga, both King Hrolf and his champions did not like Odin much, because they longed to build a country where violence can end. However, under Odin's manipulation, Hrolf Kraki's hard works became but a spark for the hope of peace in Denmark.
These days, with the new atheism movement, when atheists attack Christianity, they often say that Jesus (or the God in the Bible), is just like any other pagan gods of old and are similar in nature. Some even made ridiculous statements that Jesus is based on Zeus and Thor.
I SAY THEY ARE WRONG! As I read more and more about Norse and Greek mythology, I see a dramatic difference between the pagan gods and Jesus. What difference?
Let's look at Zeus first. Zeus, is one of mythology's biggest mass rapist. He randomly impregnates beautiful women, and cares nothing for mankind but for himself. Zeus, led a rebellion against his own father Cronos. Zeus, is always plotting to get more power so he can remain as the head of the Olympian gods. His relationship with mankind is that of a mutual beneficiary relationship, where Zeus gets power from human's prayers, then Zeus in term bless people for their prayers and give men what they want. What kind of god is that? What kind of relationship is that? A business relationship?
Now let's look at Thor, Odin's son. Thor is a mighty warrior, the champion among the Asgardians. But Thor is always chasing after glory through battle and victories, and displays no real love nor care and has no unselfish motivations.
Let's look at Odin, a mighty God of War one-eyed Odin was, on his eight legged horse and magical spear he is invincible. Yet, Odin is blood thirsty, and cannot be pleased by peace. As we can see from Hrolf Kraki's saga, Odin is the master who plotted the downfall of Hrolf Kraki, because he doesn't want Hrolf Kraki to bring peace to Denmark, and therefore Odin caused 100 years of violence afterward. What kind of gods are Thor and Odin? Who can only be pleased through violence and battle, and do everything because of pride?
Finally, let's look at Jesus. Jesus, is God, but came as a man (John 10:30-33). Note, Jesus says that he is "THE GOD" who came in the flesh of a man, but he said he didn't come to be served, but to serve (Matthew 20:28). We see that this God, loves mankind so much that he dies a most shameful death on a cross to wash away humanity's sins. Compared to pagan gods such as Zeus, Thor or Odin, who are motivated by their pride and thirst for power. The God of Christianity, whose nature is displayed in Jesus (John 8:19), does everything because of love.
So tell us atheists, how is Jesus the same as Odin, Zeus or Thor?
Conclusion:
Hrolf Kraki's saga, is an ancient Danish tale of heroism, a tragic story of one's attempt to pull a country to peace and prosperity from its violent past. It is an attempt of reformation, the attempt is doomed to fail, just as all man and his works shall die. Any reformation, however noble and good attempted by human, shall fade as time passes. Real transformation however, is from God, and is eternal. Transformation is only possible because God is loving, caring, and has the power to restore everything from wrong to right. God (Jesus) is the true beacon of hope that humanity can lean on.
The Saga of Hrolf Kraki and his warriors is a story deserves to be remembered. This modern translation of an almost forgotten ancient epic is quite a special book indeed. Anyone interested in fantasy, epic legends or interest in Tolkien Middle Earth stories would definitely enjoy this book.
Rating: 4/5
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