Nibelungenlied

“Whatever I fail to get from them by friendly requests, I shall take by my own valour. I fancy I shall wrest their lands and people from them.”

Siegfried tells his parents that he will take the Burgundians’ property by force if Gunther refuses to give into his diplomatic request to marry Kriemhild. Through this quote, the poet portrays Siegfried as overconfident in his might, or “valour,” and willing to go to war to get the things to which he feels entitled. Only little more than a boy, Siegfried will eventually mature and become more grounded.

“Word was given to lodge the envoys in town, and whatever the hatred that was felt for them, it was right of mighty Gunther to have them well cared for till he should learn from his friends who was going to stand by him.”

The poet characterizes Gunther as a hospitable king who is willing to lodge Liudeger and Liudegast’s envoys rather than mistreat them. Furthermore, the poet passes moral judgement on Gunther by saying that his action is “right.” This quote is significant because it helps categorize Gunther as a chivalrous royal and exemplifies the poet’s tendency to cast judgement and critique characters.

“One should complain of one’s wrongs to proven friends.”

Gunther utters this phrase when Siegfried asks what ails him. Through this utterance, Gunther expresses his feeling guarded around Siegfried, whom he barely knows and whose loyalty is not proven. The king appears as a man who only relies on those who demonstrate loyalty, such as Hagen. 

“Over the sea there dwelt a queen whose like was never known, for she was of vast strength and surpassing beauty. With her love as a prize, she vied with brave warriors at throwing the javelin, and the noble lady hurled the weight to a great distance and followed with a long leap; and whoever aspired to her love had, without fail, to win these three contests against her, or else, if he lost but one, he forfeited his head.”

The poet characterizes Brunhild as a fantastic, almost mythical figure who defies the expectations set for Germanic women. Brunhild has “surpassing beauty” much like Kriemhild (who is treated as an ideal Germanic woman in Book I), but she also possesses “vast strength” like a man. She not only participates in knights’ sports but wins them as well. In addition to this, she displays an unladylike brutality in beheading losing suitors. Brunhild’s deviation from Germanic standards is significant since The Nibelungenlied deals with questions of how women should act within Germanic society.

“I undertake this not so much from affection for you as for the sake of your beautiful sister […] I love her as my own life and soul, and I shall serve gladly to this end, that she shall marry me.”

Siegfried asserts that he will help Gunther “not so much” because they are friends but because he promised Kriemhild’s hand in marriage. In making this statement, Siegfried places Kriemhild, a woman, above Gunther, a king to whom he swore fealty as a friend. In a way, Siegfried prioritizing Kriemhild is a break in chivalric code since kings are to be given the utmost importance—but in another way, courtly love perfectly aligns with chivalric code.

“Lay down whatever rules you like. Even were there more to come, I would face them all for love of your fair person. If I fail to make you my wife, then let me lose my head!”

Gunther tells Brunhild that he is willing to play her games and even lose just for a chance to win her “fair person.” The phrase “If I fail to make you my wife, then let me lose my head” serves as a double entendre. Gunther’s obsession with Brunhild is so fervent that he is willing to physically lose his head while psychologically losing his mind.

“We have always borne the name of heroes, but what a shameful way of dying if we are to perish at the hands of women!”

Dancwart laments the possibility of Gunther losing to Brunhild and the Burgundians being put to death by a woman. He claims that he, Gunther, Hagen, and Siegfried are touted as true warriors and to die at the hands of a wicked woman, whom Dancwart does not consider a warrior because of her gender, would be “a shameful way of dying.” This quote demonstrates the vehement sexism in medieval Germanic culture.

“I should not mind it overmuch if I might give you of my treasure to requite you for your message, but you are too exalted. Instead I shall always be grateful to you.”

Once Siegfried delivers Gunther’s message regarding Brunhild to Kriemhild, she tells the prince that she would not mind showering him in gifts as she does with messengers if he were truly a messenger and not “too exalted.” She offers him her gratitude and love instead. In this moment, Kriemhild recognizes Siegfried’s status and practically tells him that she loves him.

“I promise on my word of honour […] that I shall not make free with her at all. I prefer your lovely sister to any I have ever set eyes on.”

Siegfried assures Gunther that he will not have intercourse with Brunhild when he goes to her chamber to amend the couple’s sexual situation. This clarification demonstrates his loyalty to both Gunther and Kriemhild and reveals how smitten he is with the latter. This quote serves as another reminder that Siegfried is a man of chivalry.

“Were he to live for ever he could never squander all that he owns, for he holds the Nibelungs’ hoard in his power. Ah me, if that were to come to Burgundy!”

Hagen remarks that Siegfried has an abundance of riches at his disposal. He speculates what would happen if Siegfried brought the Nibelung treasure to Burgundy, implying jealousy. This foreshadows Hagen’s eventual seizure of the treasure—the quote exposing his dark side and exemplifying the poet’s penchant for foreshadowing events.

“Your arrogance has got the better of you. You used words that made me your servant, and, believe me, in all sincerity I shall always be sorry you did so.”

Kriemhild makes this remark after telling Brunhild that Siegfried stole her virginity—thus making her “a vassal’s paramour” (113). Kriemhild’s remark reveals her annoyance with Brunhild’s baseless elitism. She cannot simply call Brunhild a pejorative name and walk away; she must reveal her motive. Interestingly, Kriemhild says, “I will always be sorry you did so.” Whether this is actually “in all sincerity” is unclear. This is an instance in which Kriemhild stands her ground and retaliates against someone who wronged her. This foreshadows her later vengeful wrath.

“Then Hagen of Troneck came to his liege lady, and, finding her in tears, asked her what was vexing her. She told him what happened, and he at once vowed that Kriemhild’s man should pay for it, else Hagen, because of that insult, would never be happy again.”

This quote demonstrates Hagen’s unwavering loyalty to the family he serves. Hagen is Gunther’s vassal, so he pledges fealty to him and by extension, Gunther’s wife, meaning that any slight against Brunhild must be avenged. The poet characterizes him as a man who finds genuine happiness in serving his lieges.

“Siegfried in turn would have liked to do the same, but he paid for his good manners.”

Siegfried allows Gunther to drink from a stream first out of courtesy—which in turn, allows Hagen to catch him off guard and kill him. This quote turns Siegfried’s chivalry into a negative trait as it gets him killed. This inversion of values is striking since The Nibelungenlied largely focuses on why chivalry is a positive thing.

“Warriors could never have hunted to worse effect, for the beast they slew was lamented by noble maidens, and many a good fighting-man had to pay for it in the end.”

The poet likens Siegfried to a “beast” slain. This metaphor harkens back to the first chapter where the poet uses a falcon to symbolize Siegfried. The comparison also dehumanizes the king and foreshadows the massacre in Book II since it clearly states, “many a good fighting-man had to pay for it in the end.”

“Brunhild sat enthroned in her pride, and however much Kriemhild wept it mattered nothing to her. Never again was she ready to extend loyal affection towards lady Kriemhild: and in days to come Kriemhild in turn inflicted mortal sorrow on her.”

The poet depicts Brunhild’s behavior in the aftermath of Siegfried’s death and foreshadows Kriemhild killing Gunther. Brunhild proves prideful and unfeeling. Instead of showing “loyal affection” or sympathy towards the grieving Kriemhild, she ignores her and basks in the fact that she herself was avenged. 

“Ahead of him you could see numbers of bold knights of many different languages riding along the roads, great companies past counting of both Christians and heathens who were marching in splendid array to where they found their lady. Many men from Greece and Russia were riding there, and the good horses of the Poles and Wallachians passed swiftly by as their riders spurred them with vigour, while they all freely comported themselves to their native usage. From the land of Kiev, too, many a knight was riding there, not to mention wild Pechenegs who, laying the arrow to the bow at full stretch, shot at birds on the wing with zest.”

This passage describes the many knights who ride with Etzel to meet Kriemhild. Before Kriemhild embarks for Hungary, she imagines Etzel’s army made up of only heathens, but now sees “great companies past counting of both Christians and Huns.” She not only spots members of her own religion but witnesses two groups coexisting in general. In fact, Etzel’s army is multicultural and made up of many knights from a myriad of regions. The vast assortment of ethnicities points to the vast size of Etzel’s empire. This quote is significant because it provides a glimpse into Kriemhild’s new life and describes the men who will one day be called upon to avenge Siegfried.

“The things we have been told of will happen irremediably […] Let us ride to court and see what can happen to us fearless men in Hungary.”

Volker expresses nonchalance towards fate. Both the nixies and Dietrich warned the Burgundians that they will be in mortal danger should they go before Kriemhild. While such predictions would unnerve someone like Hagen, who wishes to prevent destiny from taking its course, Volker embraces fate and is excited to see how “fearless men” like the Burgundians will fare in Hungary.

“How often men abandon their plans from fear when one friend stands by another in the loyal way he ought, so that if they are men of sense their enemies take no action!”

The poet muses on the power of friendship and strong alliances. He states that two friends who loyally support each other and work together to face their foes are capable of inspiring fear in those who would see them harmed. This quote speaks to the power of Hagen and Volker’s bond, one of the strongest in the epic. Hagen and Volker are able to intimidate Kriemhild’s knights into leaving them alone simply by standing side by side.

“You warriors must wear other clothes than these. Surely you know how things stand? Now that we are well acquainted with vile Kriemhild’s plans you should be carrying swords, not roses; wearing good, bright helmets, not gem-encrusted chaplets! I tell you we shall be forced to fight today, so you should not have silken shirts but hauberks; not luxurious cloaks but broad, stout shields: so that if anyone comes to blows with you, you can give a good account of yourselves. My most dear lords, my kinsmen and our vassals, you should go to church with willing heart and pray to Almighty God to look with mercy on your fears and perils, since I would have you know for certain death is drawing near. Do not forget your sins, and stand with rapt devotion in the presence of the Lord.”

Upon seeing his fellow Burgundians dressed in finery for church, Hagen launches into an abrasive monologue that criticizes his lieges and knights for failing to recognize the danger around them. Kriemhild is dastardly enough to send her knights to kill the Burgundians in church, where they would—in other circumstances—be safe. Hagen recognizes this and advises the others to take caution by arming themselves. He also instructs them to show chivalric piety once they enter the church since God may “look with mercy” on them.

“I have long heard tell how Kriemhild would not forgo her grievance: therefore let us now drink to the dead and so repay the King’s wine—with the young lord of the Huns at first.”

Hagen taunts Kriemhild and Etzel before inciting a massacre. He purposely brings up Siegfried to hurt Kriemhild by reminding her of what she lost and proposes to “drink to the dead.” One would assume that “the dead” refers to Siegfried. However, he brings up Ortlieb, “the young lord of the Huns,” whom he quickly dispatches in a brutal fashion. 

“Numerous worthy knights thus bared their heads of armour and squatted upon the bodies which, thanks to the wounds they had dealt them, had fallen into the blood; for the comfort of the noble guests had been shockingly neglected.”

The poet paints a picture of noble knights left with no choice but to sit among gore and declares that “the comfort of the noble guests had been shockingly neglected.” To say that the knights’ comfort is “shockingly neglected” is an understatement as they were ferociously attacked by their hosts, some of whom rest under their feet as corpses. This quote is significant because it adds dark humor through understatement and paints a vivid picture of the horrors the Burgundians face in the absence of chivalry.

“Etzel’s men were soon ready. They drove those who were still outside back into the hall with javelin-casts and blows, and raised a mighty din: but the kings and their vassals were resolved never to part company, they would not break the bonds of allegiance that bound them one to another.”

The poet demonstrates the camaraderie of the Burgundians in the face of nearly certain death. Etzel’s men drive the Burgundians into the hall with the intention of setting it on fire and killing them all. The Burgundians do not abandon each other in this moment, however. In subscription to chivalry, they are “resolved never to part company” and will gladly face death together. The poet may portray the Burgundians as barbaric in their slaughter, but he also wants the reader to see the civility they have left.

“Alas […] that I have lived to know this, Godforsaken man that I am! I must sacrifice all the esteem, the integrity, and breeding that by the grace of God were mine! Ah, God in Heaven, that death does not avert this from me! Whichever course I leave in order to follow the other, I shall have acted basely and infamously—and if I refrain from both, they will all upbraid me! May He that summoned me to life afford me counsel!”

Rüdiger laments that he must fight for either Kriemhild or the Burgundians as he is bound to both. He knows the rules of chivalry, that once a person is bound to a faction, they must serve it until death. If he were to break the tie that binds him to either party, he would no longer be chivalrous and “must sacrifice the esteem, the integrity, and breeding” that make him as one. He commits a misdeed if he serves either faction while neglecting the other, and he will be chastised and called a coward if he “[refrains] from both.” This monologue serves as a meditation on chivalry and loyalty, two concepts that come under siege throughout the text.