batch.motif.norse-myths-of-norsemen-guerber-gutenberg-l9430-l9545
---
record_id: batch.motif.norse-myths-of-norsemen-guerber-gutenberg-l9430-l9545
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/norse/project-gutenberg/myths-of-the-norsemen-guerber.md
passage_locator:
label: 'CHAPTER XXIII: THE GIANTS / CHAPTER XXIV: THE DWARFS / CHAPTER XXV: THE
ELVES / CHAPTER XXVI: THE SIGURD SAGA; lines 9430-9545'
start: '9430'
end: '9545'
translation: 'Myths of the Norsemen: From the Eddas and Sagas'
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: After the slaughter of the Volsungs, Sigmund comforts Signy, buries the
remains of their kin, and swears revenge. Signy sends her sons to Sigmund to be
tested for courage, but they fail. She exchanges forms with a witch, visits Sigmund
in disguise, and bears Sinfiotli, who passes severe courage tests involving pain
and an adder hidden in meal. Sigmund trains Sinfiotli. The two put on wolf-skins,
become wolf-like, kill and devour in the forest, and then fight each other; Sinfiotli
dies. Sigmund sees a weasel revived with a leaf, receives a similar leaf from
a raven, and restores Sinfiotli to life. On the ninth night the wolf-skins fall
off, and the two burn them, ending the spell.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Sigmund leaves concealment to comfort Signy, and together they bury the whitening
bones of their kin.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Sigmund swears a solemn oath to avenge his family’s wrongs, and Signy approves
while urging him to wait for a favorable time.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Signy returns to Siggeir’s palace, while Sigmund goes to a remote forest place,
builds a small hut, and works as a smith.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:4
text: Signy secretly sends her first and second sons to Sigmund at about ten years
old so that they may be trained for vengeance, but both are found lacking in courage.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Signy concludes that only a pure-blooded Volsung will be useful for the revenge
she seeks.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: Signy summons a young witch, exchanges forms with her, and goes in disguise
to Sigmund’s forest hut.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: Sigmund does not recognize Signy in disguise, takes her for a gypsy, and makes
her his wife during the disguised visit.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:8
text: After three days Signy returns to the palace, resumes her own form, and later
gives birth to Sinfiotli, whose appearance suggests a bold and strong Volsung
hero.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:9
text: Signy tests Sinfiotli’s courage by sewing his garment to his skin and suddenly
tearing it away; he laughs rather than wincing.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:10
text: Sigmund tests Sinfiotli by ordering him to make bread from a sack of meal
in which a great adder is hidden.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:11
text: Sinfiotli kneads the adder into the loaf and shows the bread to Sigmund.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:12
text: Sigmund is described as able to handle adders and drink venom unharmed; Sinfiotli
is described as immune to the sting of creeping creatures but not to eating poison.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:13
text: Sigmund teaches Sinfiotli the knowledge expected of a northern warrior, and
they become inseparable companions.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:14
text: In a forest hut, Sigmund and Sinfiotli find two sleeping men and two hanging
wolf-skins associated with a werewolf spell.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:15
text: Sigmund and Sinfiotli put on the wolf-skins and, in the guise of wolves, rush
through the forest, killing and devouring what they meet.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:16
text: Under wolfish passions, Sigmund and Sinfiotli attack each other; Sinfiotli,
the younger and weaker, falls dead.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:17
text: Sigmund sees one weasel revive another by placing a leaf on its breast.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:18
text: A raven drops a similar leaf at Sigmund’s feet, and Sigmund lays it on Sinfiotli,
who is restored to life.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:19
text: Sigmund understands the raven’s dropped leaf as help from the gods.
category: other
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:20
text: On the ninth night the wolf-skins drop off; Sigmund and Sinfiotli throw them
into the fire, where they are consumed, breaking the spell forever.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Sigmund
description: Surviving Volsung who comforts Signy, swears revenge, lives in a forest
hut as a smith, tests and trains Sinfiotli, puts on a wolf-skin, kills Sinfiotli
in wolfish frenzy, and revives him with a leaf.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:3
- role:6
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Signy
description: Sigmund’s sister, wife of Siggeir, who grieves the slaughtered kin,
aids Sigmund’s revenge plan, sends sons to him for testing, exchanges forms with
a witch, and bears Sinfiotli.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:4
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Siggeir
description: Ruler who takes possession of the Volsung kingdom and whose cruelty
is opposed by Sigmund and Signy.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Signy’s elder sons
description: The first and second sons of Signy and Siggeir, sent to Sigmund around
age ten and found lacking in courage.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: young witch
description: A beautiful young witch whom Signy summons and with whom Signy exchanges
forms.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Sinfiotli
description: Son born after Signy’s disguised visit to Sigmund; he passes courage
tests, is trained by Sigmund, wears a wolf-skin, dies in a struggle with Sigmund,
and is restored to life.
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:6
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: two sleeping men / werewolves
description: Two men found asleep in a hut near two wolf-skins; the passage says
the skins suggest they are werewolves under a cruel spell.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: two weasels
description: Two weasels that fight until one lies dead; the victor brings a leaf
that revives the dead companion.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: raven
description: A raven flying overhead drops a leaf like the one used by the weasel
to revive its companion.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: gods
description: Collective divine agents whom Sigmund understands to be helping him
through the raven’s dropped leaf.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
roles:
- id: role:1
label: surviving kinsman and avenger
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Sigmund survives, buries his kin’s bones, and swears to avenge his family’s
wrongs.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: grieving sister and secret ally
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Signy grieves, approves Sigmund’s oath, urges him to wait, and promises aid.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:3
label: forest smith and mentor
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Sigmund builds a hut in the forest, works as a smith, and trains Sinfiotli
in warrior skills.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
- id: role:4
label: tested child
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:6
basis: Signy’s sons and later Sinfiotli are subjected to tests of courage or fitness
for vengeance; Signy also actively tests Sinfiotli.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:5
label: shape-exchanging mother of the hero
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Signy exchanges forms with a witch, visits Sigmund disguised, and later bears
Sinfiotli.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:6
label: wolf-skin wearer
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:6
basis: Sigmund and Sinfiotli don wolf-skins and move through the forest in wolf
form.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:7
label: enemy king and usurper
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Siggeir’s cruelty is named, and he takes possession of the Volsung kingdom.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:8
label: killer and revived companion pair
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:6
basis: In wolfish frenzy Sigmund kills Sinfiotli and then restores him to life with
a leaf.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:9
label: magical form-exchanger
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The witch participates in Signy’s exchange of forms.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:10
label: enchanted werewolf sleepers
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The two sleeping men are associated with wolf-skins and a spell limiting
their natural form.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:11
label: animal revealer of reviving leaf
assigned_to:
- fig:8
- fig:9
basis: The weasel demonstrates the reviving leaf, and the raven drops a similar
leaf for Sigmund.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:12
label: divine helpers as understood by Sigmund
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: Sigmund understands the raven’s dropped leaf as evidence that the gods wish
to help him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: whitening bones
literal_form: bones of the slain kin buried by Sigmund and Signy
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: forest hut
literal_form: remote hut built by Sigmund in the forest
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: sym:3
label: exchanged forms
literal_form: Signy’s form and the witch’s form exchanged before Signy’s disguised
visit
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:4
label: sewn garment
literal_form: Sinfiotli’s garment sewn to his skin and torn away as a courage test
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:5
label: adder in the meal
literal_form: great adder hidden in the meal and kneaded into bread
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:6
label: poison and venom immunity
literal_form: ability to handle adders, resist stings, or drink venom unharmed
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:7
label: wolf-skins
literal_form: two hanging wolf-skins that transform wearers into wolf guise under
a spell
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:6
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: sym:8
label: magic leaf or herb
literal_form: leaf that revives a dead weasel and then Sinfiotli
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:6
- fig:8
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:9
label: raven-borne leaf
literal_form: leaf dropped by a raven at Sigmund’s feet
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:9
- fig:10
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:10
label: ninth night
literal_form: the ninth night when the wolf-skins drop off
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:11
label: fire consuming wolf-skins
literal_form: fire into which Sigmund and Sinfiotli throw the wolf-skins to break
the spell
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Burial and revenge oath
summary: Sigmund comforts Signy, they bury the bones of their kin, and Sigmund swears
to avenge the family while Signy promises aid.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Failed sons sent for vengeance training
summary: Signy sends her first and second sons to Sigmund, but each is found lacking
in courage and therefore unfit for the planned revenge.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Disguised visit and birth of Sinfiotli
summary: Signy exchanges forms with a witch, visits Sigmund’s hut unrecognized,
stays with him for three days, returns to her own form, and later gives birth
to Sinfiotli.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Tests of Sinfiotli
summary: Signy tests Sinfiotli’s endurance by tearing away a garment sewn to his
skin, and Sigmund tests him with meal containing an adder; Sinfiotli passes both
tests.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: Wolf-skin transformation and violence
summary: Sigmund and Sinfiotli find wolf-skins in a hut, put them on, become wolf-like,
kill and devour in the forest, and then fight each other until Sinfiotli dies.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: scene:6
label: Animal-taught revival
summary: Sigmund observes a weasel revive another with a leaf; a raven drops a similar
leaf, and Sigmund uses it to restore Sinfiotli to life.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:8
- sym:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:7
label: Burning of the wolf-skins
summary: On the ninth night the wolf-skins drop off, and Sigmund and Sinfiotli burn
them, ending the spell permanently.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
- sym:10
- sym:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: revenge oath after kin slaughter
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Sigmund buries the remains of his kin and vows to avenge his family’s wrongs,
with Signy’s approval and promised aid.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: high
cautions: The passage excerpt begins after the slaughter itself; the oath and burial
are explicit, but the broader feud context is only partly present here.
- id: motif:2
label: testing of children for heroic courage
taxonomy_refs:
- initiation
basis: Signy’s sons and Sinfiotli are tested for courage or hardiness before being
accepted as useful for vengeance and warrior training.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The tests are practical and violent; classification as initiation is a
motif-family assignment rather than an explicit label in the passage.
- id: motif:3
label: shape-exchange disguise leading to hero birth
taxonomy_refs:
- shapeshifter
- sacred_birth
basis: Signy exchanges forms with a witch, deceives Sigmund, and later bears Sinfiotli,
whose body and glance promise a true Volsung hero.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage calls Signy’s act a crime; any sacred-birth association should
be reviewed because the conception is framed through disguise and incest rather
than ritual sanctity.
- id: motif:4
label: serpent or poison ordeal
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
- initiation
basis: Sinfiotli passes a test involving a hidden adder in meal, while Sigmund and
Sinfiotli are described as having unusual immunity to adders, stings, or venom.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The creature is called an adder; serpent taxonomy is applicable at the
broad symbol level.
- id: motif:5
label: wolf-skin transformation under enchantment
taxonomy_refs:
- shapeshifter
basis: Sigmund and Sinfiotli don wolf-skins and become wolf-like, killing and devouring
in the forest under passions associated with the skins.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The transformation is caused by donning enchanted skins rather than an
innate ability.
- id: motif:6
label: death and restoration by magic herb
taxonomy_refs:
- resurrection
- death_rebirth
basis: Sinfiotli is killed and then restored to life when Sigmund uses a leaf whose
power has been demonstrated by weasels and delivered by a raven.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The restoration is immediate revival within the narrative, not necessarily
a full theological resurrection doctrine.
- id: motif:7
label: animal helper reveals life-restoring remedy
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: A weasel demonstrates the reviving leaf, and a raven provides Sigmund with
a similar leaf; Sigmund interprets this as divine help.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage presents the animals as instrumental helpers, but does not
give them speech or explicit divine identity.
- id: motif:8
label: fire destroys enchanted skin and breaks spell
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
- shapeshifter
basis: After the skins fall off on the ninth night, Sigmund and Sinfiotli throw
them into fire, where they are consumed and the spell is broken forever.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: Fire functions here as destruction of the enchanted object; broader purificatory
interpretation is not stated in the passage.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 9430-9448
quote_or_summary: 'Sigmund comforts Signy, they bury the whitening bones, he vows
vengeance, Signy approves and promises aid, and they part: she to Siggeir’s palace
and he to a forest hut where he works as a smith.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/norse/project-gutenberg/myths-of-the-norsemen-guerber.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized from supplied passage.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 9450-9465
quote_or_summary: Siggeir takes the Volsung kingdom; Signy sends her first and second
sons to Sigmund at about ten years old for training toward vengeance, but he finds
both lacking in courage, leading Signy to think only a pure-blooded Volsung will
serve.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/norse/project-gutenberg/myths-of-the-norsemen-guerber.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized from supplied passage.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 9466-9482
quote_or_summary: Signy recalls a divine twin-born precedent in verse, summons a
young witch, exchanges forms with her, goes disguised to Sigmund’s hut for three
days, returns to the palace and her own form, and later bears a son showing signs
of a true Volsung hero.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/norse/project-gutenberg/myths-of-the-norsemen-guerber.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized from supplied passage.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 9484-9491
quote_or_summary: When Sinfiotli is ten, Signy tests his courage by sewing his garment
to his skin and suddenly tearing it away; he does not wince but laughs, so she
sends him to Sigmund.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/norse/project-gutenberg/myths-of-the-norsemen-guerber.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized from supplied passage.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 9491-9510
quote_or_summary: Sigmund has Sinfiotli make bread from meal containing a hidden
adder; Sinfiotli kneads the adder into the loaf. Sigmund says Sinfiotli should
not eat it, because Sigmund can drink venom unharmed while Sinfiotli can resist
reptile stings but not poison eaten in bread.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/norse/project-gutenberg/myths-of-the-norsemen-guerber.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized from supplied passage.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 9512-9524
quote_or_summary: Sigmund teaches Sinfiotli warrior knowledge. In a forest hut they
find two sleeping men and two wolf-skins, understood as belonging to werewolves
under a spell; they put on the skins and rush through the forest in wolf guise,
killing and devouring.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/norse/project-gutenberg/myths-of-the-norsemen-guerber.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized from supplied passage.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 9526-9538
quote_or_summary: In wolfish passion Sigmund and Sinfiotli fight, and Sinfiotli
dies. Sigmund sees a weasel revive another with a leaf; a raven drops a similar
leaf at Sigmund’s feet, which he interprets as divine help, and he uses it to
restore Sinfiotli to life.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/norse/project-gutenberg/myths-of-the-norsemen-guerber.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized from supplied passage.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: 9540-9545
quote_or_summary: Fearing further harm, Sigmund and Sinfiotli wait until the ninth
night, when the wolf-skins drop off; they throw the skins into the fire, the skins
are consumed, and the spell is broken forever.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/norse/project-gutenberg/myths-of-the-norsemen-guerber.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized from supplied passage.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: high
notes: Literal sequence and figures are clear in the supplied passage. Motif-family
assignments use only available taxonomy references and should be reviewed, especially
for the disguised conception and sacred-birth classification. No comparison claims
were added because the passage itself does not require cross-text comparison beyond
its own quoted allusion.
reviewer_status:
status: needs_review
reviewer: ''
reviewed_at: ''
notes: Machine-generated draft from OpenAI Batch; not human-reviewed.
extracted_by: openai_batch:gpt-5.5
extracted_at: '2026-04-28'
notes: |-
All evidence is drawn only from the supplied passage and metadata. Taxonomy references are limited to the provided motif and symbol lists.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:norse-myths-of-norsemen-guerber-gutenberg__l9430-l9545
passage_sha256=440c132047e81e7b79a0bc511d1491088447680a60ced7fa8cde3aa0bb9464df