der nibelunge nôt the second half of the nibelungenlied was probably based on a separate work and...
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
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.
![Page 2: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
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.).
![Page 3: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
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.
![Page 4: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Der Nibelunge Nôt
Modern statue of Hagen on the bank of the Rhein, casting the Nibelungen gold into the river.
![Page 5: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
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).
![Page 6: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
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).
![Page 7: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Der Nibelunge Nôt
![Page 8: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
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).
![Page 9: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
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.
![Page 10: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
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.
![Page 11: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
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.
![Page 12: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
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).
![Page 13: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
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).
![Page 14: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
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.
![Page 15: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
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).
![Page 16: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
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).
![Page 17: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
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.).
![Page 18: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
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.).
![Page 19: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
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).
![Page 20: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
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.).
![Page 21: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
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.)
![Page 22: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
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).
![Page 23: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
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!
![Page 24: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
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.
![Page 25: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
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.
![Page 26: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
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.
![Page 27: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
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?
![Page 28: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
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.)
![Page 29: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
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).
![Page 30: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
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).
![Page 31: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
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.).
![Page 32: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
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.
![Page 33: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
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.
![Page 34: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
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.
![Page 35: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
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.).
![Page 36: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
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).
![Page 37: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
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).
![Page 38: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
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.
![Page 39: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
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.
![Page 40: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
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).
![Page 41: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
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.
![Page 42: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/42.jpg)
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).
![Page 43: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/43.jpg)
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.
![Page 44: 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](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e895503460f94b8df2f/html5/thumbnails/44.jpg)
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?