Nibelungenlied

The poet opens the epic by appealing to the reader’s previous knowledge of heroic tales and promises to present “wonders unending” (17). After this, the poet turns their attention towards action and introduces The Nibelungenlied’s heroine, Kriemhild, a beautiful Burgundian maiden adored by many. Kriemhild’s three brothers—Gunther, Gernot, and Giselher—keep watch of her. The men are “of high race, magnanimous, strong, and brave beyond measure, altogether rare warriors” who eventually “wrought mighty wonders in Etzel’s land” (17). Kriemhild and her brothers reside in Worms, a city near the Rhine. Kriemhild’s brothers possess several vassals: Hagen of Troneck, Hagen’s brother Dancwart, Ortwin of Metz, Gere, Eckewart, Volker of Alzei, Rumold, Sindold, and Hunold.

As a child, Kriemhild dreams about raising a beautiful falcon only to see it killed by two eagles. Distraught, she tells Uote, her mother, about the dream. Uote believes the falcon represents a future lover who “unless, God preserve him, will soon be taken from [Kriemhild]” (17). Kriemhild declares that she has no intention of marrying since it will lessen her beauty, but Uote argues that marrying a virtuous knight will only increase it. The chapter ends with the poet

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