Myths and Legends Lecture

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Der Nibelunge Nôt

• The Nibelungenlied is one of the few great heroic
  epics in world literature.
• It was likely composed around 1200 in southern
  Germany, between Passau and Vienna.
• It was composed from the same oral literature as
  the Volsunga saga, but through an independent
  literary tradition.
• Unlike the Eddic poems in Iceland, all the
  earlier poems in German have been lost.

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Der Nibelunge Nôt
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Der Nibelunge Nôt

• The author of the work is unknown.
• Most of the other authors of German epics from
  this period are known at least by name.
• The author was probably from the Danube valley,
  between Passau and Vienna.
• His lack of firsthand familiarity with courtly
  activities (e.g. hunting) suggests he was a
  commoner, probably with church training.

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Der Nibelunge Nôt

• Like the Volsunga saga, the Nibelungenlied deals
  with marriage, murder, revenge and destruction in
  an extended family.
• Unlike the Volsunga saga, the hero of the
  Nibelungenlied is not Siegfried, but the two
  adversaries Kriemhild and Hagen.
• Unlike the Volsunga saga, the epic is written in
  verse

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Der Nibelunge Nôt

• 1. Âventiure
• Uns ist in alten mæren wunders vil geseit
• Von helden lobebæren, von grôzer arebeit,
• Von fröuden, hôchgezîten, von weinen und von
  klagen,
• Von küener recken strîten muget ir nu wunder
  hœren sagen.
• Ez wuohs in Búrgónden ein vil édel magedîn,
• Daz in allen landen niht schœners mohte sîn,
• Kriemhild geheizen si wart ein scœne wîp.
• Dar umbe muosen degene vil verlíesén den lîp.

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Der Nibelunge Nôt

• The verse form is unique in medieval German epics
  Nibelungenstrophe.
• The language of the Nibelungenlied is Middle High
  German roughly equivalent to Chaucers Middle
  English.
• Modern Germans can read and understand most of
  the text (but need training to understand all of
  the subtleties).

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Der Nibelunge Nôt

• The Nibelungenlied contains Christian elements
  and does not retain the mythological background
  of the Volsunga saga.
• The epic also contains numerous chivalrous
  elements, but it is not a courtly romance!
• It is a mixture of Germanic, heathen elements
  from the Völkerwanderung, and Christian,
  chivalrous elements from medieval Germany.

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Der Nibelunge Nôt

• The Nibelungenlied has two parts, roughly equal
  in length
• Siegfrieds wooing of Kriemhild and Gunthers
  winning of Brunhild, culminating in Siegfrieds
  murder.
• Kriemhilds marriage to Etzel and her revenge,
  culminating in everyones death.
• Most of the mythological material is absent.

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Der Nibelunge Nôt

• The Nibelungenlied is less focused on historical
  and dynastical issues than the Volsunga saga.
• The author is not interested in historical,
  geographical, or dynastical correctness.
• The author, however, is interested in dramatic
  confrontationthe characters reveal themselves in
  their actions and their conflicts. It is as much
  dramatic theater as epic.

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 1

• The text begins with the story of the maiden
  Kriemhild, who corresponds to Gudrun of the
  Volsunga saga (17).
• Her brothers are the Burgundian kings Gunther,
  Gernot and Giselher (who correspond roughly to
  Gunnar and Guttorm).
• The fierce warrior Hagen replaces Hogni.
• They all reside in Worms on the Rhine.

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 1

• The elder Burgundian king is called Dancrat,
  married to Queen Uote (Gjuki and Grimhild in the
  Volsunga saga).
• The knights (German Degen) are Hagen von
  Troneck, Dancwart, Ortwin, Gere, Eckewart, and
  Volker many hold the symbolic offices of
  medieval courts (18).
• Kriemhild dreams of a falcon Siegfried.

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 1-2

• Kriemhild does not wish to marry and be made
  wretched by the love of any man.
• Dreams and omens play the same role in the
  Nibelungenlied as in Icelandic sagas.
• Siegfried grows up in the city of Xanten in the
  Netherlands (son of Siegmund and Sieglind)
  youthful description (20).
• Knighting ceremonies for Siegfried, a
  coming-of-age ritual (21f.).

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 2

• Generosity of the king and feudal fiefdoms
  described as well also gifts to wandering
  minstrels!
• Minstrels (German Minnesänger) the unknown
  author of the Nibelungenlied was possibly one of
  these.
• Story of cursed gold and dragon slaying described
  later in the epic less important.

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 3

• Siegfried hears of Kriemhilds beauty and
  nobility and resolves to win her for his wife.
• His parents are fearful of a match with the
  prideful Burgundians, but support him.
• Siegfried takes 12 select warriors on a wooing
  expedition to Burgundy obsession with their
  clothes and adornments (24ff.).
• Only Hagen recognizes the strangers (27).

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Der Nibelunge Nôt
Siegfried arrives in Worms
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Der Nibelunge Nôt 3

• Hagen recounts Siegfrieds earlier exploits how
  his slew the bold Nibelungs and took their huge
  treasure (27f.).
• Siegfried also fought the dwarf Alberich and won
  from him a cloak of invisibility.
• Hagen also reports that Siegfried slew a dragon
  and bathed in its blood which made him
  invincible to weapons (28).
• They decide to receive him courteously.

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Der Nibelunge Nôt
Siegfried and the Dragon
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Der Nibelunge Nôt 3

• Siegfried boldly states that he has come to
  wrest from you by force all that you possess!
  (29). Open challenge to Gunther.
• Siegfried at first barbaric, becomes purified and
  elevated to courtly manners through his love for
  Kriemhild medieval romance.
• Hagen and the other brothers manage to pacify
  Siegfried and no battle ensues.

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 3-4

• Siegfried stays in Worms for a year, but is not
  allowed to see Kriemhild though she often
  watches him from her window!
• Kings Liudeger (Saxony) and Liudegast (Denmark)
  threaten Burgundy with invasion.
• Gernot responds like a Germanic warrior (34).
  They alone die that are doomed.
• Siegfried vows to help Gunther, wants to gain
  glory (and maybe a bride) for himself.

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 4

• Siegfried leads the Burgundians against 40,000
  men strikes out alone to spy on the enemy and
  defeats King Liudegast (37f.).
• Siegfried slays 29 of Liudegasts warriors, takes
  the king prisoner.
• Battle of 1000 against 40,000 takes place
  victory to the Burgundians (38-40) because of
  Siegfrieds heroics in capturing King Liudeger.

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Der Nibelunge Nôt
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Der Nibelunge Nôt 4

• Kriemhild asks to see the messenger privately
  he tells of her brothers and of brave Siegfrieds
  exploits (41f.)!
• Kriemhild blushes when told of Siegfrieds
  heroics not as brazen as saga women!
• The battle serves to highlight Siegfrieds heroic
  stature and to establish the Gunthers debt to
  him.
• Festivities planned to celebrate and reward.

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 5

• As part of the festivities, the young maidens of
  the court are presented to the knights Kriemhild
  makes her appearance (47f.).
• Siegfried is presented to Kriemhild after more
  than a year of waiting, he can finally speak to
  her (and get a ceremonial kiss) (49).
• Festivities continue the prisoners are sent
  home (on Siegfrieds advice) on very generous
  terms.

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 6

• News comes to Burgundy of a fabulously beautiful
  warrior princess living far away in Iceland
  Brunhild (cite 53).
• Suitors have to defeat her in three contests to
  win her love javelin, shot put, and long jump!
  (Loss of event meant loss of head!).
• Gunther asks for Siegfrieds aid in winning
  Brunhild he agrees, for Kriemhilds hand.
• Gunther agrees to the arrangement (54).

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 6

• Gunther, Siegfried and their small party (Hagen
  and Dancwart) prepare to travel down the Rhine on
  their way to Iceland.
• More obsession with clothes and adornment.
• Siegfried vows to Kriemhild that he will serve
  and protect Gunther in Iceland (58).
• Siegfried captains the boat downstream (and
  beyond) to Isenstein, Brunhilds fortress (59).

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 6-7

• Siegfried tells the men to repeat this lie that
  Gunther is Lord and that Siegfried is his vassal.
  This deception necessary to impress Brunhild
  (59).
• Siegfried leads Gunthers horse ashore signs of
  service rendered by a vassal.
• Description of the four newcomers (62).
• Brunhild thinks Siegfried has come for her she
  is fated to marry only the best.

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 7

• Siegfried tells Brunhild that his liege lord
  Gunther intends to win her love (63).
• Brunhild issues her athletic challenge
  Siegfried rushes to the boat to get his magic
  cloak of invisibility to aid Gunther. He returns
  secretly (unseen by anyone).
• Gunther sees the size and quality of Brunhilds
  weapons and is afraid (65).

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 7

• Brunhild throws her great spear, but invisible
  Siegfried blocks the shaft, hurls in backwards at
  Brunhild, so as not to kill her. It appears that
  Gunter won Round 1(67)!
• Brunhild throws the great stone, and outleaps her
  throw Siegfried throws it farther, then carries
  Gunther in his own great leap! (67). Rounds 2 and
  3 to Gunther.
• Brunhild admits defeat, gives Gunther rule.

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 7-8

• Siegfried pretends not to have seen the games
  deception is complete.
• Brunhild gathers her vassals for a farewell,
  though Hagen and Gunther fear ambush.
• Siegfried departs secretly to get his own vassals
  warriors of the Nibelungs!
• He challenges the giant guarding his treasure and
  defeats him (71).

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Der Nibelunge Nôt
Siegfried and the Giant Watchman
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Der Nibelunge Nôt 8

• Siegfried then fights with his own treasurer, the
  Dwarf or Kobold Alberich (71).
• Siegfried commands Alberich to bring 1000 of the
  best Nibelung warriors they depart later for
  Iceland to support Gunther. Prestige.
• Suggestions in the text that Brunhild had an
  abortive relationship with Siegfried, as in the
  Volsunga saga. Awkward love triangle.
• Brunhild deceived repeatedly by Gunther.

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 8-9

• Dancwart generously gives away Brunhilds gold,
  and she appoints a governor in Iceland.
• Gunther sends Siegfried ahead to announce the
  festivities in Worms Siegfried behaves as a
  vassal again in order to win Kriemhild.
• Siegfried speaks directly to Kriemhild in a
  dialogue heavy in double entendres courtly
  affection and romance (78f.).

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 10

• Brunhild arrives in Worms to a great reception
  with pageantry and festivities.
• The knights joust in the bohort (half game, half
  parade) and the ladies watch.
• Siegfried reminds Gunther of his promises, and
  Gunther formally betroths Kriemhild to Siegfried
  in ring of warriors (85f.).
• Brunhild is upset that Kriemhild appears to be
  marrying much below her station (85).

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 10

• Siegfried and Kriemhild enjoy each others
  affections that evening, their wedding night.
• King Gunther and Brunhild do not have quite as
  good a time she intends to remain a maiden
  until she has learned the truth about Siegfried!
  (88).
• Brunhild wrestles Gunther down, ties him up, and
  hangs him on a nail on the wall (88).

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 10

• Gunther confesses his marital humiliation to
  Siegfried (cite 89f.).
• Siegfried vows to use his magic cloak to tame the
  unruly Brunhild for Gunther.
• Gunther agrees, but cautions Siegfried not to
  make love to her though he can kill the
  dreadful woman if necessary (90)!
• Siegfried wrestles Brunhild (cite 91f.)!

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 10

• Brunhild is mastered Gunther listened to the
  entire fight with the unnatural Brunhild.
• Siegfried secretly takes a ring and a girdle from
  Brunhild, switches places with Gunther.
• Ring and girdle (later given to Kriemhild) in
  Thidrikssaga, Siegfried deflowers Brunhild
  himself! The author glosses over the act.
• Deflowered Brunhild loses her strength.

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 11

• Gunther and his brothers offer to share their
  lands with Siegfried he rejects the property,
  but Kriemhild wants a noble retinue.
• Hagen of Troneck refuses to go with Kriemhild
  he identifies himself with direct service to the
  Burgundian crown (96).
• Siegfried returns home triumphantly with his
  Queen Kriemhild. Crowned in Xanten.

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 11-12

• Siegfried and Kriemhild rule in peace and
  prosperity for 10 years she has a son whom they
  name Gunther.
• Gunther and Brunhild rule in Burgundy
  uneventfully she has a son they name Siegfried.
  Everybody seems to be happy.
• Brunhild, however, wonders why Siegfried has
  never paid any feudal dues to his liege
• Brunhild wonders about feudal precedence.

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 12

• Brunhild is curious about their status, has
  Gunther invite Siegfried and Kriemhild to Worms.
• Feudal status is immensely important Brunhild
  is proud of her preeminent place.
• The messengers travel to Norway (?) to visit
  Siegfried the authors geography is very poor.
  Many places seem like fantasy lands (except Rhine
  and Danube valleys).

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 12-13

• Siegfried accepts their invitation, travels with
  Kriemhild, his father Siegmund, and 1000 warriors
  to Burgundy.
• They leave their little son at home.
• Elegant and gracious reception for Siegfried in
  Worms no hint of coming hostility.
• Brunhild initially well disposed toward Siegfried
  and Kriemhild.

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 14

• As the two queens watch the knightly sports,
  Kriemhild praises her husband Siegfried I have
  a husband of such merit that he might rule over
  all the kingdoms of this region (111). She
  stresses his innate, heroic qualities.
• Brunhild is confused, states that Gunther must
  take precedence over all kings (111), stressing
  social status and feudal ties.

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 14

• What started as prideful boasting becomes a
  fierce royal quarrel for supremacy.
• Brunhild thinks that Siegfried is a liegeman, and
  thus inferior to Gunther.
• Kriemhild knows Siegfried is socially an equal to
  Gunther, and incomparably superior in all other
  ways (111-113).
• Duel who shall enter the church first?

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 14

• Showdown before the Munster
• Brunhild demands they halt A leigewoman may not
  enter before a Queen! (113).
• As one insult deserves another, Kriemhild
  replies How could a vassals paramour ever wed
  a King? (114).
• Brunhild learns of the deception, she cries while
  Kriemhild enters the church, gloating.

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 14

• Brunhild demands proof that Siegfried had
  deflowered her.
• Kriemhild produces the ring Siegfried took from
  Brunhild on the night her marriage was
  consummated (114).
• As further proof, Kriemhild points to the fine
  silk girdle she is wearing recognize this?
• Public insult and humiliation the Queen, like
  men in the sagas, needs vengeance!

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 14

• Brunhild complains to Gunther, who summons
  Siegfried and asks if he ever made the boast of
  having slept with Brunhild.
• Siegfried vows to swear an oath that he never did
  such a thing Gunther proclaims him innocent
  (116).
• Both kings eager to keep the deception secret.
• Both kings decide to keep their queens (and their
  malicious tongues) under control.

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 14

• Brunhild tells Hagen von Troneck of the insult,
  and he vows to get vengeance, or die trying
  Are we to rear cuckoos? (117).
• Gunther Giselher try to dissuade Hagen.
• Hagen tells Gunther that he would be lord of
  many kingdoms if Siegfried were dead.
• Weak Gunther is easily persuaded Hagen tells
  him of his plan (cite 118).

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 15

• (False) envoys arrive with message of war from
  old enemies Liudeger and Liudegast.
• Siegfried, as expected, offers his support.
• Hagen goes to Kriemhild, treacherously asks how
  he can aid Siegfried in the battle (120f.)
• Kriemhild reveals the secret weakness of
  Siegfried the linden leaf!
• Hagen asks her to sew a little mark on his
  clothing Kriemhilds aid brings his death.

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 15-16

• Hagen sees his mark, makes ready.
• The war is called off, replaced by a Hunt.
• Kriemhild has an ill-omened dream (124).
• Guileless Siegfried goes on a bizarre hunting
  expedition, boars, lions, bison, moose, and other
  German beasts?? (126).
• Siegfried catches a bear for camp entertainment.
  Comic relief before tragedy.

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 16

• No wine is available Hagen had it sent
  elsewhere, so everyone is thirsty.
• Hagen suggests drinking at a cool spring nearby
  he further suggests a race (130).
• Thirsty, unsuspecting Siegfried races through the
  forest toward his doom.
• Hagen hides Siegfried's weapons, waits until he
  is lying down drinking, then hurls his spear at
  the markSiegfrieds death (130f.).

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Hagen spears Siegfried while he drinks from the
cool spring.
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Der Nibelunge Nôt 16-17

• Siegfried dies among the flowers (cite 131).
• Gunther laments the deed, but fierce Hagen
  rejoices that he has put an end to his
  supremacy (132).
• Hagen lays Siegfrieds body at Kriemhilds
  doorstep in the nightgruesome discovery, but she
  earlier suspected Hagens treachery (133).
• Uproar in the castle over Siegfrieds murder.

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 17

• King Siegmund and the Nibelung warriors want to
  avenge his death, but Kriemhild cautions them not
  to attack foolishly.
• Kriemhild vows vengeance of her own
• At Hagens presence, the wound begins to bleed
  anew a sign that he is guilty! (137)
• Kriemhild and Nibelungs keep vigil 3 days beside
  the coffin. Extraordinary mourning.

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Der Nibelunge Nôt 18

• After the burial, King Siegmund wants to take
  Kriemhild back to the Netherlands.
• Her mother and brother Giselher want her to stay
  with them in Worms, where her entire family lives
  eventually Kriemhild agrees.
• She commends her little son to Siegmunds care,
  and he rides home in sorrow.
• Brunhild sat enthroned in her pride (144).

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Der Nibelunge Nôt

• The First Half of the Epic concludes with
  Siegfrieds burial.
• The Joyful Heroic Tale of the Dragon Slayer is
  over the epic now moves toward vengeance, death
  and doom.
• Kriemhild emerges from her mourning as a vicious,
  vengeance-obsessed witch.
• Hagen reveals himself as the great Germanic
  warrior bravely facing his destiny.

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Discussion of the Nibelungenlied continues on the
followingPower Point Presentation (Nibelungen 2).