The Nibelungenlied (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- First Published: 1200
- Type of Work: Poetry
- Type of Plot: Epic
- Time of Work: The Siegfried story is legendary. The Burgundian story is based on historical events of about 437
- Setting: North-central Europe
- Genres: Poetry, Epic, Narrative poetry
- Subjects: Murder or homicide, Europe or Europeans, Marriage, Jealousy, envy, or resentment, Revenge, Kings, queens, or royalty, Heroes or heroism, Weddings, Middle Ages, Sixth century, Knights or knighthood, Rings, Princes or princesses, Fifth century
- Locales: Europe
Characters Discussed
Siegfried (ZEEG-freed), a prince of Niderland whose heroic achievements include the winning of the great treasure hoard of the Nibelung. Having bathed in the blood of a dragon he slew, Siegfried is invulnerable except for a spot between his shoulders where a linden leaf had fallen. He goes to Burgundy and there wins Kriemhild as his wife. Later, he is treacherously killed by a Burgundian knight.
Kriemhild (KREEM-hihlt), the beautiful sister of the king of Burgundy. She marries Siegfried and is subsequently tricked into revealing the secret of his...
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