Consumption and intoxication are decisive narrative elements in the Old Norse-Icelandic legendary Völsunga saga. Instances of consumption and intoxication are used by the saga author to drive the action and also to provide the opportunity for the audience to sympathise with protagonists even when these characters appear to make poor decisions. In the saga, intoxicating substances are used by some characters to manipulate the actions of others who, while intoxicated, act out of their minds. Served as drink and as food, the poisons, potions, and edible substances are consumed both knowingly and unknowingly. The origins of the intoxicants in the saga are primarily with one sorceress, Grímhildr, the wife of Gjúki, and her sons, Gunnarr and Hogni. An early example in the saga that is beneficial to interpret alongside the actions of the Gjúkungar is the scene of Sinfjötli's death; he is killed by his stepmother, Borghildr, who poisons him to avenge the death of her brother, whom Sinfjötli had killed.

Borghildr, Grímhildr, and the Gjúkung boys, Gunnarr and Högni, act in ways that are instrumental for the progession of the narrative. Once Sinfjötli is killed by poison the path is clear for Sigurðr, the saga's central hero, to enter the narrative. The Gjkúngar then act as they do so that they can eliminate Sigurðr and secure his wealth; after Sigurðr is dead, a death initiated by the consumption of an intoxicating potion and ultimately the result of an intoxicating edible, the Gjúkungar find Guðrún a new husband, Atli Buðlason.