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.
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 Siegfried’s gold!
• Kriemhild makes peace with everyone –
except Hagen (146).
• Kriemhild has Siegfried’s gold brought from
Nibelungenland to the Rhine (cite 146f.).
Der Nibelunge Nôt 19
• Kriemhild uses her wealth to lure warriors to
her service, which worries Hagen (cite 148).
• Hagen seizes Kriemhild’s 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.
Der Nibelunge Nôt
Modern statue
of Hagen on the
bank of the
Rhein, casting
the Nibelungen
gold into the
river.
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).
Der Nibelunge Nôt 19-20
• Etzel’s 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).
Der Nibelunge Nôt
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).
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 Rüdiger’s family and estate.
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.
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
Etzel’s court.
• Germanic epic cycles associated with
Dietrich (Theoderich) and Hildebrand.
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 Kriemhild’s plotting to the
influence of “the foul fiend” (177).
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).
Der Nibelunge Nôt 24
• The Minstrels arrive safely in Worms and
present their invitation (183f.).
• Gunther’s courtiers want to accept, only
Hagen opposes the invitation (cite 184f.).
• Giselher’s 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.
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).
Der Nibelunge Nôt 25
• “How the Nibelungs journeyed to Hungary”
– the names are confused here.
• The Burgundians have taken the name of
Siegfried’s 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).
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.).
Der Nibelunge Nôt 25
• One of the water spirits (swan maidens?)
tells Hagen the truth: only the King’s
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.).
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).
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.).
Der Nibelunge Nôt 26
• Hagen’s 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 Etzel’s knight Rüdiger).
• Eckewart is asleep while guarding the
border–Hagen takes his sword, but recognizes
him and chivalrously returns it (204).
• Thidrekssaga reveals author’s changes (375f.)
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 Rüdiger’s
daughter – Hagen suggests a marriage with
Giselher and all agreed (cite 209).
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 Etzel’s court.
• Historical figure (Theoderich of Verona).
• Dietrich knows Hagen, warns him that
Kriemhild is still mourning for Siegfried!
Der Nibelunge Nôt 28
• Despite Dietrich’s 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.
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.
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.
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 Etzel’s men.
• After church, the Burgundians start the Bohort –
other leaders refrain from jousting because they
know it could lead to violence.
• Volker can’t resist killing a dandy young Hun
(234). Cheating or prowess?
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).
• Etzel’s son Ortlieb introduced – his first
encounter with Hagen (cite 236f.)
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.).
• Dancwart’s arrival causes an uproar (242).
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).
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
Minstrel’s 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.).
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.
Der Nibelunge Nôt 35-36
• After Iring’s death, his countrymen want
vengeance, but they are routed by the
Burgundians–blood 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.
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.
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.).
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).
Der Nibelunge Nôt 37-38
• After Rüdiger’s 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 Rüdiger’s fate (277f.).
• Hildebrand asks for Rüdiger’s body so that
they can render final homage (279).
Der Nibelunge Nôt 38
• Volker retorts that true warrior homage
would be taking the body, not begging for it.
• Volker provokes Dietrich’s 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.
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 Hagen’s wrath – leaves
only Hagen and Gunther alive in the hall.
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).
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 Hagen’s fate, captured and
bound and delivered to Kriemhild (289).
• Dietrich pleads for an honorable settlement
with the last of the Nibelungs.
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 Siegfried’s old sword,
Balmung (290). Vengeance is finally hers!
• Hildebrand is outraged that a woman could
slay Hagen, so he kills Kriemhild (291).
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,
wan ritter unde vrouwen
dar zuo die edeln knehte
hie hât das mære ein ende:
waz sider dâ geschach:
weinen man dâ sach,
ir lieben friunde tôt.
das ist der Nibelunge nôt.
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?