num_pages: 254
description: Egil's Saga tells the story of the long and brutal life of tenth-century warrior-poet and farmer Egill Skallagrímsson: a morally ambiguous character who was at once the composer of intricately beautiful poetry, and a physical grotesque capable of staggering brutality. The saga recounts Egil's progression from youthful savagery to mature wisdom as he struggles to avenge his father's exile from Norway, defend his honour against the Norwegian King Erik Bloodaxe, and fight for the English King Athelstan in his battles against Scotland. Exploring issues as diverse as the question of loyalty, the power of poetry, and the relationship between two brothers who love the same woman, Egil's Saga is a fascinating depiction of a deeply human character.
language: English
title: Egil's Saga
titlecomplete: Egil's Saga (Penguin Classics)
characters: Egill Skallagrímsson
genres: Classics, Epic, Historical, History, Literature, Mythology, 13th Century, Poetry, Medieval, Scandinavian Literature
ratings_count: 2848
series: Íslendingasögur/Sagas of Icelanders
publisher: Penguin Classics