Nibelungenlied

The Burgundians begin to dock in Isenstein, and Gunther sees “troops of lovely maidens standing at the windows above” (60). Siegfried asks Gunther which woman he prefers, and Gunther unknowingly points out Brunhild. Siegfried, Gunther, Hagen, and Dancwart disembark from the ship as the women watch. Siegfried leads Gunther’s warhorse off the ship by bridle while Gunther mounts it. The men enter the fortress and are asked to relinquish their weapons. Hagen refuses to do so until Siegfried declares that unarming oneself in a palace is an Icelandic custom.

Brunhild asks a court member about their guests, and they say that one of them looks like Siegfried. Brunhild greets her guests, addressing Siegfried in particular. Siegfried plays the role of a vassal and shifts Brunhild’s focus to Gunther. Brunhild challenges Gunther to an athletic competition under the condition that she will marry him if he wins and kill him and his men if he loses. She explains that he “will have to cast the weight, follow through with a leap, and then throw the javelin with [Brunhild]” (63).

Brunhild readies herself for the challenge by donning armor, and Siegfried runs to the Burgundians’ ship to grab his cloak of invisibility, which makes him invisible and gives him the strength of 12 men. Gunther, Hagen, and Dancwart express genuine fear once they see Brunhild holding her spear, but Siegfried—hidden by his cloak of invisibility—tells Gunther not to worry. Siegfried asks for Gunther’s shield and says, “Now, you go through the motions, and I shall do the deeds” (66).

Siegfried uses the cloak’s powers to best Brunhild by throwing a boulder. She is angry, but concedes to Gunther, whom she believes is responsible for the feat, and agrees to marry and surrender her territory to him. Siegfried makes for the ship to hide his magic cloak and returns to the fortress as if he missed the contest.

Brunhild says she cannot go to Burgundy without calling upon her kinsmen and vassals to hear of her marriage. The prospect of Brunhild’s kinsmen attacking the Burgundians unnerves Gunther, Hagen, and Dancwart—and Siegfried sets off to recruit backup should they prove dangerous.

Siegfried dons his magic cloak and commandeers a ship by the seaside. He reaches Nibelungland and pounds on a castle gate. Siegfried awakens a giant who lashes out at him—only to be bound. Alberich, the dwarf who gifted the magic cloak, joins the fight, but Siegfried grabs him by the beard and drags him into submission. Once Alberich realizes who Siegfried is, he proclaims that he is “indeed fit to be a sovereign lord” (71) of Nibelungland.

Siegfried commands Alberich to summon 1,000 Nibelungs but does not disclose what he plans to do with them. Alberich puts together an army; Siegfried and the Nibelungs “[arrive] in Brunhild’s country with much pomp” (72). Brunhild asks Gunther if she should greet them, and he instructs her to do so.

The Burgundians wish to return to Worms, and Brunhild asks for someone to distribute her treasure. Dancwart volunteers and hands out so many riches that “all who were poor and needy could live happily on it” (73). Brunhild cries out that Dancwart is squandering her treasure, but Hagen assures her that she will be given more possessions when she arrives in Burgundy. Brunhild disagrees and proceeds to fill 20 trunks with treasure by herself. Before leaving Iceland, Brunhild appoints her maternal uncle as regent. With Brunhild’s affairs settled, the Burgundians sail home; the poet notes that Brunhild shows no physical affection towards Gunther.

After voyaging for nine days, Gunther decides to send a messenger to deliver the good news to his court. He asks Hagen to be the messenger, but the vassal declines and suggests Siegfried deliver the message as “he is the man to carry out this mission with courage and energy” (76). Siegfried initially refuses, but Gunther manages to persuade him by imploring, “Please ride there for my sake […] and for that of comely Kriemhild, so that the noble girl and I will be beholden to you” (76).

Siegfried arrives alone, and the Burgundian women fear that he is the lone survivor of Gunther’s quest. Siegfried meets with Giselher and informs him that Gunther survived and won Brunhild. After reassuring Giselher, Siegfried delivers Gunther’s message to Kriemhild and Uote. Kriemhild gives Siegfried bracelets as tokens of gratitude, but he hands them out to her maidens.

Siegfried tells the women that Gunther and Brunhild are on their way, and a festive welcome is in order. He also instructs Kriemhild to ride out to meet Gunther and his new bride, and she promises she will.

Gunther’s vassals prepare the festivities, and the Burgundian women put on their best finery in preparation to meet Gunther and their new queen.

Gunther and his guests arrive in Worms and are received by Kriemhild, Uote, and “a host of knights and maidens” (82). Kriemhild and Brunhild meet and kiss, as is custom. The knights of Burgundy observe both women and judge their beauty, with many claiming that Kriemhild’s surpasses Brunhild’s.

Everyone returns to the palace, where Siegfried reminds Gunther of their earlier bargain regarding Kriemhild. Gunther summons Kriemhild and states, “I swore to give you to a warrior, and if he becomes your husband you will have done my will most loyally” (85). Kriemhild agrees to marry Siegfried.

Brunhild begins to cry upon learning of Siegfried and Kriemhild’s betrothal, still thinking that Siegfried is only Gunther’s vassal and beneath Kriemhild. Gunther explains, “He has cities and broad lands quite as good as mine, for rely on it, he is a mighty king!” (86). However, Brunhild cannot be consoled.

Once the festivities end, Gunther and Siegfried go to their chambers to consummate their marriages. Siegfried and Kriemhild have a night of passion and tenderness while Gunther struggles to make love to Brunhild as she refuses to do so until Gunther tells her the truth about Siegfried. Gunther attempts to take Brunhild by force, but she binds him with her girdle and leaves him tied up throughout the night. She sets Gunther free the next morning when he promises not to “lay hands upon [her] attire” (88). Gunther’s failure to conquer Brunhild in bed leaves him feeling dejected.

Gunther laments to Siegfried that Brunhild embarrassed him, and Siegfried promises to amend the situation. That night, Siegfried goes to Gunther’s chamber dressed in his cloak of invisibility and lies in bed with Brunhild. He attempts to hold her, but she—thinking that he is Gunther—flings him from the bed. The two struggle for control, with Brunhild outmatching Siegfried in strength until he becomes enraged and summons more power. He finally subdues Brunhild and takes her girdle and ring to give to Kriemhild. Siegfried leaves the chamber, and Gunther finally engages in intercourse with Brunhild and causes her to lose her strength.