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.

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.).


• 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).


• 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


• 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).


• 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.


• 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.


• 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.


• 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).


• 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).


• 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.


• 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).


• “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).


• 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.).


• 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.).


• 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).


• 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.).


• 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.)


• 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).


• 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!


• 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.


• 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.


• 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.


• 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?


• 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.)


• 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).


• 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).


• 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.).


• 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.


• 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.


• 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.


• 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.).


• 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).


• 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).


• 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.


• 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.


• 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).


• 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.


• 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).


• “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.

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?

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.

Documents

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