THE

NIBELUNGENLIED
OBJECTIVES:

• RELATE THE STORY TO THE THEME

• ABLE TO USE VOCABULARIES TO

SENTENCES

• LEARN A VALUABLE LESSON FROM THE

STORY
INTRODUCTION:

• The Nibelungenlied is a German epic poem which was

written sometime around 1200, probably in what is today
Austria. The title means "Song of the Nibelungs
• "Nibelung," which refers to a dynasty which is conquered
by the hero or protagonist of the epic, the dragon-slayer
Siegfried.
• The word "lied" means "lay," which is a Germanic word
for a song, poem, or lyric. The poem exists in more than
thirty manuscripts, but three main versions represent the
story as we know it
VOCABULARIES:
 MOTIVE QUESTIONS:

WHAT WILL YOU DO IF YOUR

FRIEND BETRAYED YOU?
 CHARACTERS:

• SIEGFRIED
• Lord of the Netherlands,
Norway, and Niebelungland
who married Kriemhild,
princess of Burgundy.
• Siegfried assists King
Gunther in his pursuit of the
Queen Brunhild's hand in
marriage and is ultimately
taken out by Hagen.
• KRIEMHILD
• Princess of
Burgundy and
loved by Siegfrid.
• Revenge is taken
against Hagen
using the sword of
Siegfried, but
ultimately dies at
the hand of
Hildebrand.
• GUNTHER
• The king of Burgundy who
wins the hand of Brunhild
with assistance from
Siegfrid.
• Before too long,
however, he bears some
responsibility for the
death of Siegfried and is
ordered to be killed by
Kriemhild.
• Before that can happen,
however, he and Hagen
wipe out a great deal of
Huns in Etzel’s Hall.
BRUNHILD
• Brunhild is Queen of Iceland,
a maiden renowned not only
for her great beauty, but also
for strength and athletic
ability surpassing that of any
man who has tried to win her.
• She demands that her suitors
defeat her in three contests
javelin throwing, weight
throwing, and leaping in order
to gain her hand.
• HAGEN
• Lord of Troneck, brother of
Dancwart, son of Aldrian and
chief vassal of the kings of
Burgundy.
• As if that weren’t
enough, Hagen is also
held hostage at Etzel’s
court, is responsible for
the death of Siegfried
and becomes target of
a revenge plot by
Kriemhild.
ETZEL
• King of the Huns.
Perhaps better
known by another,
more familiar name:
Attila.
ALBRIC
• A dwarf who
becomes the
former owner of
the cloak of
invisibility after a
run-in with
Siegfrid.
SETTINGS
 PLOT
 son of King Siegmund, forges a sharp sword and hears stories from the locals about
Princess Kriemhild. He decides to go to Worms to win Kriemhild. Along his journey, he kills
a dragon and baths in its blood to become invincible.
 Canto 2: How Bolker, the Bard, Sang of Siegfried in Front of Kriemhild and How Siegfried
Came in Worms: Siegfried fights and defeats the dwarf King of the Realm of the
Nibelungen Alberich that was wearing his wonder cap that makes the user unseen or in
whatever form he wishes. Alberich asks Siegfried to spare his life and in return he gives
the Treasure of the Nibelungen and the Balmung sword. Siegfried makes twelve kings as
his vassals, and when he asks the hand of Kriemhild to her weak brother King of
Burgundy Gunther, he advises that he would accept is Siegfried helps him to win the
strong Queen of Iceland Brunhild.
 How Siegfried Won Brunhild for Gunther: Siegfried wears the invisible helmet and helps
Gunther to win Brunhild in the proofs of throwing stones and spear and jumping.
 Canto 4: How Brunhild Enters Worms and How the King Celebrate Their WedThe
magnificent poetic saga of Siegfried is told through seven cantos: Canto 1: How
Siegfried Slayed the Dragon: Siegfried, the ding: Brunhild tells Gunther that she is her
captive but not his bride. Gunther asks Siegfried to help him again in his wedding night,
and Siegfried takes his form and accidentally brings Brunhild's armlet with him.
• How After Half a Year, Siegfried's Gift to His Bride, The Nibelungen Treasure,
Arrives in Worms and How the Two Queens Quarrel With Each Other: When
Kriemhild finds Brunhild's armlet, Siegfried tells her how her brother won the
queen. While going to the mass, Kriemhild and Brunhild quarrel and the
offended Kriemhild discloses the truth to her brother”s wife
• How Gunther Betrayed Siegfried: Brunhild lies to Gunther and tells him that she
lost her virginity with Siegfried. Gunther organizes boar hunting in the
Odenwald Forest and asks Hagen Tronje to slain Siegfried. Hagen lures
Kriemhild and she tells the vulnerable part of Siegfried's body where the lime
leaf has fallen. Brunhild fasts, Gunther betrays Siegfried, and Hagen impales
him with a spear.
• How Kriemhild Swears Revenge to Hagen Tronje: Brumhild tells Gunther that
she lied and he killed his only loyal friend. Then she dies of starvation. Kriemhild
swears revenge to Hagen.
 CONFLICT
• Siegfried tricked Brunhild into marrying
Gunter with the invisibility cloak. She
vowed revenge after she realized she
was tricked.
• Brunhild had her loyal servant
Hagen plan a hunt that Siegfried
would attend so he could kill him.
POINT OF VIEW
THEME

• DON’T TAKE PEOPLE FOR GRANTED EVEN IF

KNEW THAT YOU DID A LOT OF THINGS FOR
THEM.
• DO NOT BETRAY A FRIEND OR FAMILY