Myths and Legends Lecture

1
Der Nibelunge Nôt

• The second half of the Nibelungenlied was
  probably based on a separate work and only later
  combined with the Siegfried material to form a
  single epic.
• Many of the characters are introduced a second
  time after Chapter 19 Kriemhild, Volker,
  Dancwart, etc.
• The tone changes as well, becomes darker, driven
  by vengeance and fate.

2
Der Nibelunge Nôt 19

• Kriemhild remains with her family at Worms for 3½
  years, avoiding Gunther and Hagen.
• Hagen convinces Gunther to reconcile with
  Kriemhild in order to get Siegfrieds gold!
• Kriemhild makes peace with everyone except
  Hagen (146).
• Kriemhild has Siegfrieds gold brought from
  Nibelungenland to the Rhine (cite 146f.).

3
Der Nibelunge Nôt 19

• Kriemhild uses her wealth to lure warriors to her
  service, which worries Hagen (cite 148).
• Hagen seizes Kriemhilds gold and throws it into
  the Rhine at Locheim imagining that he would
  return one day to put it to use.
• Basis for the Rheingold-legend used by Richard
  Wagner and others.

4
Der Nibelunge Nôt
Modern statue of Hagen on the bank of the Rhein,
casting the Nibelungen gold into the river.
5
Der Nibelunge Nôt 19-20

• Guilt placed on Hagen for hiding the treasure,
  but all the Burgundian kings were accomplices.
• Kriemhild mourns the loss of her treasure as
  greatly as the loss of Siegfried.
• She waits another 10 years before she is
  approached by Rüdiger, envoy of the Heathen King
  Etzel (Atilla the Hun).

6
Der Nibelunge Nôt 19-20

• Etzels court located in Hungary, for the author
  a distant part of medieval Europe.
• Another Wooing-Expedition, led by noble Rüdiger
  of Pöchlarn more comments on clothing and
  decoration (151-153).
• Hagan, again, the only one in Worms who can
  identify the newcomers.
• Rüdiger presents his message (cite 155).

7
Der Nibelunge Nôt
8
Der Nibelunge Nôt 20

• Gunther and his court are in favor of the
  marriage of Kriemhild and Etzel, except Hagen who
  foresees trouble (cite 157).
• Kriemhild still mourning for Siegfried and
  reluctant to remarry, but Rüdiger persuades her
  by swearing oath of vengeance (161f.).
• Kriemhild agrees to the marriage because it
  presents a possibility for vengeance (cite 162).

9
Der Nibelunge Nôt 20-21

• Kriemhild prepares for the journey.
• Strange repetition of Hagen seizing the gold of
  the Nibelungs from Kriemhild so that she cannot
  use it against him.
• The voyage from Worms along the Danube is
  described in great detail most places
  well-known in medieval times.
• An interesting insertion, a stop at Pöchlarn to
  visit Rüdigers family and estate.

10
Der Nibelunge Nôt 22

• As Kriemhild nears his kingdom, Etzel and his
  knights ride out to meet her (171ff.).
• The authors confuses the historical Huns with
  medieval Hungarians or a fantasy heathen land in
  the distant Eastern.
• Etzel and Kriemhild are married in the city of
  Vienna (174), and festivities ensued.
• Kriemhild still mourns secretly for Siegfried.

11
Der Nibelunge Nôt 22

• Kriemhild and Etzel arrive in his castle,
  Etzelnburg, amid glorious festivities.
• Margrave Rüdiger, King Dietrich of Verona,
  Hildebrand, Bloedelin of Hungary, King Gibech
  (Gjuki) part of Etzels court.
• Germanic epic cycles associated with Dietrich
  (Theoderich) and Hildebrand.

12
Der Nibelunge Nôt 23

• Kriemhild and Etzel live together in splendor for
  7 years nothing happens.
• Kriemhild has a son, named Ortlieb (177).
• In her 13th year, she has control over the court,
  and begins musing on revenge against Hagen (cite
  177).
• Author attributes Kriemhilds plotting to the
  influence of the foul fiend (177).

13
Der Nibelunge Nôt 23

• Kriemhild asks King Etzel to invite her relatives
  to his court erotic manipulation of the
  guileless Etzel (178f.).
• Etzel send his favorite minstrels to deliver the
  invitation to Worms (Swemmel and Werbel).
• Kriemhild speaks secretly with the minstrels,
  ensuring that Hagen comes along (cite 180).

14
Der Nibelunge Nôt 24

• The Minstrels arrive safely in Worms and present
  their invitation (183f.).
• Gunthers courtiers want to accept, only Hagen
  opposes the invitation (cite 184f.).
• Giselhers taunt that Hagen alone is afraid of
  Kriemhild prompts him to go anyway.
• Hagen proposes that they go well armed, ready for
  a fight (186). Over 4000 knights.

15
Der Nibelunge Nôt 24

• Hagen does not let the minstrels depart he
  gives Kriemhild no advance warning! (187)
• Brunhild refuses to see the envoys, since she
  still resents Kriemhild! (Brunhild plays little
  role in the second half of the epic).
• The envoys finally return to Etzel.
• Kriemhild is wickedly pleased to hear that her
  dear friend Hagen is coming (189).

16
Der Nibelunge Nôt 25

• How the Nibelungs journeyed to Hungary the
  names are confused here.
• The Burgundians have taken the name of
  Siegfrieds land, and the Huns have taken the
  territory of the later Magyars.
• Queen Uote has an ill-boding dream (190).
• Rumold entrusted with running the kingdom while
  all the Kings are visiting Etzel (191).

17
Der Nibelunge Nôt 25

• The Burgundians take leave of their women and
  depart for Hungary/Hunland.
• They find the Danube river swollen and impassable
  (192f.) Hagen goes ahead to find a ford or a
  ferryman for their crossing.
• Hagen discovers water-fairies (nixies) who can
  tell the future he takes their clothes to
  extort a prophesy from them (cite 193f.).

18
Der Nibelunge Nôt 25

• One of the water spirits (swan maidens?) tells
  Hagen the truth only the Kings Chaplain will
  survive the trip (194).
• The fairies tell Hagen how to find the ferryman,
  and to beware Gelpfrat, the Bavarian.
• The ferryman refuses to row Hagen across the
  Danube, so Hagen kills him and takes the boat for
  himself (cite 195f.).

19
Der Nibelunge Nôt 25

• Hagen ferries thousands of warriors across the
  Danube.
• Hagen decides to test the fairy prophesy he
  throws the chaplain overboard (197f.)!
• Hagen even pushes the poor chaplain underwater,
  but he swims back to the shore.
• Hagen knows the prophesy is true These knights
  are doomed to die, thought he (198).

20
Der Nibelunge Nôt 25-26

• Hagen destroys the ferry so that no cowards can
  retreat later only the chaplain has made it
  back across the Danube.
• Hagen confesses why he tried to drown the poor
  chaplain (cite 199) we must fight!
• Gelpfrat hears of the murdered ferryman and
  chases after the Nibelungs/Burgundians.
• Hagen challenges Gelpfrat, and a fight quickly
  ensues (cite 201f.).

21
Der Nibelunge Nôt 26

• Hagens brother Dancwart comes to his aid and
  kills Gelpfrat. Bavarians withdraw.
• 4 Burgundians die compared to 100 Bavarians.
• They pass from Bavaria to Passau, and on to
  Pöchlarn (home of Etzels knight Rüdiger).
• Eckewart is asleep while guarding the
  borderHagen takes his sword, but recognizes him
  and chivalrously returns it (204).
• Thidrekssaga reveals authors changes (375f.)

22
Der Nibelunge Nôt 26-27

• Eckewart announces the arrival of the Burgundians
  to Rüdiger, who greets them graciously. A final
  pause before the storm.
• Rüdiger has his wife and daughter present each of
  the guests with a ceremonial kiss Giselher is
  attractive, but not Hagen (207).
• The Burgundians are smitten with Rüdigers
  daughter Hagen suggests a marriage with
  Giselher and all agreed (cite 209).

23
Der Nibelunge Nôt 27-28

• Rüdiger (the perfect host) presents the
  Burgundians with more presents before they leave
  ironic touches (cite 211).
• Dietrich and Old Hildebrand are now introduced
  an exiled king and his famous knight at residence
  in Etzels court.
• Historical figure (Theoderich of Verona).
• Dietrich knows Hagen, warns him that Kriemhild is
  still mourning for Siegfried!

24
Der Nibelunge Nôt 28

• Despite Dietrichs warnings, the warriors of
  Burgundy decide to face their fate bravely.
• Kriemhild greets them at Court (cite 216).
• Kriemhild asks haughtily if Hagen has brought her
  back the Nibelung treasure.
• Flyting between Hagen and Kriemhild he does not
  bother with deception (cite 216f.).
• Danger of hostilities. Tension building.

25
Der Nibelunge Nôt 28-29

• Only Dietrich is able to stand up to Kriemhild
  and prevent violence.
• Kriemhild promises money to the Hun who will kill
  Hagen! not enough volunteer, so she tells them
  to wait (220).
• Hagen and Volker the Minstrel taunt Kriemhild
  serene and unafraid (cite 222)
• The Hunnish warriors too afraid to strike.

26
Der Nibelunge Nôt 29-30

• Kriemhild is disgusted with the cowardly Hunnish
  warriors, plots to force the action.
• Etzel receives his guests with great openness and
  courtesy (224).
• Unlike the Volsunga saga, Etzel is a noble king
  with no desire for their treasure.
• Hagen and Volker keep watch that night Volker
  plays a lullaby Huns too afraid to attack the
  guarded hall.

27
Der Nibelunge Nôt 30-31

• Hagen advises the Burgundians to go to church
  armed, just in case (232).
• A Christian mass is celebrated along side the
  Heathen rites of Etzels men.
• After church, the Burgundians start the Bohort
  other leaders refrain from jousting because they
  know it could lead to violence.
• Volker cant resist killing a dandy young Hun
  (234). Cheating or prowess?

28
Der Nibelunge Nôt 31

• Etzel stops the Huns bent on vengeance against
  Volker (235). Obligation of the Host.
• Kriemhild approaches Hildebrand and Dietrich, but
  they refuse to help her.
• Kriemhild promises Bloedelin land, money and a
  beautiful girl, and he agrees (cite 236).
• Etzels son Ortlieb introduced his first
  encounter with Hagen (cite 236f.)

29
Der Nibelunge Nôt 32-33

• Bloedelin and his warriors attack Dancwart the
  Marshall and the Squires (238).
• Dancwart quickly decapitates Bloedelin!
• The Huns take furious vengeance and, being
  reinforced, kill every Burgundian squire.
• Dancwart survives, fights his way back to the
  court (cite 240f.).
• Dancwarts arrival causes an uproar (242).

30
Der Nibelunge Nôt 33

• Hagen is furious, kills Prince Ortlieb and his
  tutor, maims the minstrel (cite 243).
• Fighting in the hall becomes general Volker and
  Hagen kill many Huns.
• Gunther, Gernot and Giselher join in the action
  general slaughter (244f.).
• Kriemhild appeals to Dietrich, and he provides
  safe conduct for her and Etzel (cite 246).

31
Der Nibelunge Nôt 33-34

• Rüdiger and his men are also allowed to leave the
  hall under safe conduct.
• Outside, Etzel complains of Volker the Minstrels
  dreadful music (247).
• All the Huns in the hall are butchered.
• To prevent clutter, Hagen and Volker throw 7000
  Hun corpses from the hall.
• Hagen taunts Etzel and Kriemhild (250f.).

32
Der Nibelunge Nôt 35

• Margrave Iring of Denmark challenges Hagen
  beginning of the individual duels.
• Iring attacks Hagen, then Volker, then Gunther,
  then Gernot, then kills 4 men (253).
• Giselher attacks Iring and stuns him, but he
  leaps up, injures Hagen and escapes (253f.).
• Iring enters the hall a second time, battles with
  enraged Hagen (cite 255), and dies.

33
Der Nibelunge Nôt 35-36

• After Irings death, his countrymen want
  vengeance, but they are routed by the
  Burgundiansblood flows in torrents (257).
• Burgundians ask Etzel for a truce they want
  leave to fight in the open, to die quickly
  instead of slowly in the besieged hall.
• Kriemhild prevents their leaving (cite 260f.).
• Kriemhild orders the hall be set on fire.

34
Der Nibelunge Nôt 36

• The thirsty Burgundians drink blood from the
  corpses to sustain themselves (261f.).
• After an evil night of fire and torment, 600
  Burgundians survive until the morning.
• Impasse neither side is able to gain a
  meaningful advantage, despite all the killing.
• Previously neutral characters Dietrich and
  Rüdiger feel helpless to intervene.

35
Der Nibelunge Nôt 37

• Rüdiger caught between conflicting allegiances
  cannot be a coward (265), but cannot fight
  honorably against either group.
• Kriemhild reminds him of his early oath to avenge
  any insult to his Queen (cite 266ff.).
• Heroic Tragedy a good and noble knight given no
  honorable choice except to die.
• Irony Giselher thinks Rüdiger in armor is coming
  to their aid! (268f.).

36
Der Nibelunge Nôt 37

• Rüdiger enters the hall the Nibelungs try to
  dissuade him to no avail (cite 269f.).
• Rüdiger gives his shield to Hagen a final gift
  as a token of respect and mutual ties.
• Hagen and Volker declare they will not fight him,
  no matter the outcome.
• Rüdiger attacks kills many valiantly before
  Gernot confronts him with his own sword they
  kill each other (274).

37
Der Nibelunge Nôt 37-38

• After Rüdigers death, his men are slowly killed
  off Pöchlarn emptied of its knights.
• The lamentation for Rüdiger reaches the ears of
  Dietrich, who sends a messenger to learn the
  cause.
• Dietrich sends Old Hildebrand to inquire about
  Rüdigers fate (277f.).
• Hildebrand asks for Rüdigers body so that they
  can render final homage (279).

38
Der Nibelunge Nôt 38

• Volker retorts that true warrior homage would be
  taking the body, not begging for it.
• Volker provokes Dietrichs men to action
  Hildebrand cannot prevent the killing (280).
• Heroes against Heroes heroic vengeance for
  Rüdiger. Old Hildebrand fights as if he had gone
  berserk! (cite 281).
• Old Hildebrand kills Volker the Fiddler.

39
Der Nibelunge Nôt 38

• The nameless warriors on both sides soon finish
  each other off only heroes left alive.
• Helpfrich slays Dancwart, the brother of Hagen
  (282).
• Wolfhart and King Giselher kill each other (282).
• Hildebrand escapes Hagens wrath leaves only
  Hagen and Gunther alive in the hall.

40
Der Nibelunge Nôt 38-39

• Old Hildebrand informs Dietrich of the sad news
  Rüdiger is dead as are all of his own men (284)!
• Dietrich laments his luckless destiny (284f.).
• Dietrich and Hildebrand face off against Hagen
  and Gunther the only warriors that still remain
  alive!
• Noble Dietrich makes an offer of settlement,
  which Hagen bluntly refuses (cite 287).

41
Der Nibelunge Nôt 39

• Hagen attacks Dietrich, but is overcome, captured
  and bound (288).
• Dietrich delivers Hagen to Kriemhild, who finally
  enjoys a moment of true bliss!
• Gunther rushes out to meet Dietrich in battle
  only to meet Hagens fate, captured and bound and
  delivered to Kriemhild (289).
• Dietrich pleads for an honorable settlement with
  the last of the Nibelungs.

42
Der Nibelunge Nôt 39

• Kriemhild demands her treasure from Hagen he
  cannot reveal its location as long as any
  Burgundians remain alive (cite 290).
• Kriemhild finishes off the line of Nibelungs
  first having her brother killed and then slaying
  Hagen with Siegfrieds old sword, Balmung (290).
  Vengeance is finally hers!
• Hildebrand is outraged that a woman could slay
  Hagen, so he kills Kriemhild (291).

43
Der Nibelunge Nôt 39

• There lay the bodies of all that were doomed to
  die (291). All are dead now except Etzel,
  Dietrich and Hildebrand.
• History of the destruction of Huns and
  Burgundians.
• Nothing left but lamentation
• Ine kán iu niht bescheiden, waz sider dâ
  geschach
• wan ritter unde vrouwen weinen man dâ sach,
• dar zuo die edeln knehte ir lieben friunde tôt.
• hie hât das mære ein ende das ist der
  Nibelunge nôt.

44
Der Nibelunge Nôt

• What is the meaning of the epic?
• Unusual medieval epic with no hint of hope or
  recovery at the conclusion.
• A decidedly unchristian epic despite the
  inclusion of a Christian façade.
• Pride, arrogance, greed, desire, power, wealth,
  prestige, honor and vengeance a cautionary
  tale?
• A celebration of heroic honor and prowess?
• A national epic, a tale of cultural identity?