Nibelungenlied

Gunther and Hagen propose to “chase the boar, the bear, and the buffalo” (124). Before leaving for the hunt, Siegfried goes to Kriemhild, who feels unnerved by her conversation with Hagen. Kriemhild tells Siegfried that she had a dream where “two boars chased [him] over the heath and the flowers were dyed with blood” (124). She begs him not to go, but Siegfried promises that he will return. Kriemhild then recounts a second dream where two mountains crush Siegfried. Siegfried does not heed her warnings and rides out.

The hunters split up, and Siegfried kills a tusker, a lion, “a wisent, an elk, four mighty aurochs, and a fierce and monstrous buck” (125) on his own. Siegfried grows bored and releases a live bear in the hunting camp to cause a commotion.

Siegfried grows thirsty, but there is nothing to drink as Hagen sent the butlers to a different location. Hagen mentions a nearby stream and challenges Siegfried to a race to reach it. Siegfried takes off, carrying his equipment to make the race fair. He appears at the spring first, puts down his equipment, and waits for Gunther before drinking. Hagen launches Siegfried’s javelin into the cross on his tunic (stitched by Kriemhild to indicate his weak spot). Siegfried’s blood splashes onto Hagen.

Siegfried attempts to fight back, but Hagen placed his weapons out of reach bar his shield. Siegfried strikes Hagen with his shield but is unable to kill him. Siegfried dies rebuking Gunther and Hagen, and Hagen volunteers to take Siegfried’s body home.

Hagen orders his men to place Siegfried’s body in Kriemhild’s apartment so she can find it on the way to church. A chamberlain comes across the body and points it out to Kriemhild, who recognizes it as her husband. She feels guilty as she told Hagen where to wound Siegfried—but knows that he and Brunhild are ultimately to blame. Kriemhild calls for her chamberlains to wake Siegfried’s vassals and Siegmund. The men rush into Kriemhild’s chamber naked and join the mourning women before realizing that “they ought to have their clothes on” (134). The Nibelungs vow to avenge Siegfried, but Kriemhild tells them to wait until they find indisputable evidence as to who committed the deed.

The next morning, Siegfried’s body is brought to the cathedral. Gunther laments Siegfried’s death, but Kriemhild declares, “If you regretted it, it would never have happened” (136). Suddenly, the wounds on Siegfried’s corpse begin to bleed, and Kriemhild accuses Gunther and Hagen of killing him.

A vigil is held for three days. Before Siegfried’s burial, Kriemhild asks to see his body one last time. She weeps tears of blood and has to be carried away.

After the funeral, Siegmund asks Kriemhild to return to the Netherlands with him. Giselher, however, implores her to stay in Worms with her family and says, “You can dispense with services of those who have distressed you. You can live from my private resources” (141). Kriemhild initially refuses Giselher’s offer as she does not want to be in Hagen’ presence—but concedes.

Kriemhild tells Siegmund that she plans to stay in Burgundy. This saddens Siegmund, and he begs her to come back with him for the sake of her son. Kriemhild stands her ground and implores Siegmund’s knights to take care of the younger Siegfried.

Siegmund announces that he and his knights will “never be seen in Burgundy again” (142). However, his men wish to return should Siegfried’s killer be found. Siegmund’s company leaves without permission or escorts.

Kriemhild laments with only Giselher to comfort her. Meanwhile, Brunhild “[sits] enthroned in her pride” and “never again was she ready to extend loyal affection towards lady Kriemhild” (143).

Count Eckewart assists Kriemhild in her mourning. Gunther, Gernot, and Giselher build Kriemhild a “magnificent house” next to the minster (145), and she carries on with her life of attending church and visiting Siegfried’s grave. She lives in the house for three and a half years and does not interact with Gunther or Hagen.

Hagen advises Gunther to reconcile with Kriemhild by transporting the Nibelung treasure to Worms. Gunther sends Gernot and Giselher to “make friendly overtures to [Kriemhild]” (145). Gernot tells her that Gunther seeks to prove his innocence, to which Kriemhild retorts that Hagen is at fault. Giselher encourages her to receive Gunther, who steps into the room without Hagen. The poet proclaims that Kriemhild “made peace with them all save one, since none would have killed her husband had not Hagen done the deed” (146).

Kriemhild orders the Nibelungs to ferry the treasure over the Rhine. The treasure is “entirely of gems and gold, and even if one had paid all the people in the world with it, it would not have lost a mark in value” (146); the rarest of the treasure is a golden wand with the power to make someone “lord of all mankind” (147).

Hagen grows concerned about Kriemhild using the treasure as an asset for revenge against him, so he sinks all of it in the Rhine. Kriemhild’s depression intensifies, and she lives in despair for 13 years.