Student Question
Who are the characters in Nibelungenlied and how would you describe them?
Quick answer:
Nibelungenlied features several key characters: Siegfried, a German prince and husband of Kriemhild; Gunther, the senior king of Burgundy; Etzel, King of the Huns and Kriemhild's second husband; Hagen, a lord known for his loyalty and martial prowess; and Kriemhild, Siegfried's wife who later marries Etzel. Other notable figures include Dietrich, a hero of upper Germany, and Volker, a musician and Hagen's ally.
Nibelungenlied is a German epic about the German prince Siegfried.
Here are many of the main characters:
Dietrich: He is the hero of upper Germany, fiance to Herrat
Herrat: daughter of Nantwin and Dietrich's fiance
Gunther: He is the senior king of Burgundy, son of Dancrat and Uote
Etzel: (Also known as Atilla and King of the Huns) He is the son of Botelung and the husband of Helche
Botelung: He is the father of Etzel.
Helche: She is Etzel's first wife and queen and Herrat's aunt
Hagen: He is the lord of Troneck, used to be held by Etzel's court
Aldrian: He is the father of Hagen and Dancwert.
Volker: Alzei lord and musician, Hagen's comrade
Alberich: Dwarf and Lord Treasurer of the Nibelung Dynasty.
Walther: hero from Spain, used to be held by Etzel, lover of Hildegund
Siegmund: King of Netherlands, married to Sieglind and father to Siegfried
Siegfried: Siegmund's son and Lord of Netharlands and Norway, husband of Kriemhild
Kriemhild: Dancrat and Uote's daughter, wife of Siegfried and later Etzel, mother of Gunther, Ortlieb
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