The poetry in Section 3, "The Death of Sinfjotla," is more in line with that in the Introductory Section; it's evocative of Norse or Anglo-Saxon war culture. Sigmund, with his son, Sinfjotla, as a second in command, rules his people through war and peace. There are fine depictions of Norse ships and armor, as well as feasting in the hall. Though, unfortunately for Sinfjotla, his father's wife, the queen, is out for revenge because Sinfjotla had killed her father--apparently during battle. She seems to have been taken by Sigmund as a spoil of war. At any rate, she manages to poison Sinfjotla during a banquet in the hall. This bit is very well told by T; it is formulaic, building suspense--though the original hearers of the tale would have known the outcome beforehand. This kind of telling allows for a satisfying sort of relish, watching the story unfold, all the while knowing what's to come. In the end, Sinfjotla dies, and (C T tells us in the notes) the queen is banished and Sigmund takes a new, young, wife. Sigmund sends his son's body on a ship to Valhalla, where Volsung welcomes him but reminds us that they still await the "World's Chosen" (91).
Quite a pleasant read--now we'll have to see what Sigmund's new marriage will add to the story.
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