# The Nibelungen Lied explained — Bulfinch’s Mythology

> Chapter companion for Bulfinch’s Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch.

## What happens

The chapter recounts the epic Nibelungen Lied, a foundational Teutonic myth from the prehistoric era of Wotan and the Norse gods. It is divided into two parts: first, Siegfried helps King Günther win Brunhild by using a cloak of invisibility, and in return marries Kriemhild. A dispute between Kriemhild and Brunhild leads to Hagan murdering Siegfried. Second, thirteen years later, Kriemhild marries Etzel, invites the Burgundians to a feast, and orchestrates a massacre that ends with her beheading Günther and Hagan, after which she is slain by Hildebrand.

## Themes in this chapter

### Jealousy and Revenge

Kriemhild's boast about Siegfried sparks Brunhild's jealousy, leading to Siegfried's murder; Kriemhild later exacts bloody revenge on Günther and Hagan.

### Mortality and Immortality

Siegfried's mortal vulnerability despite his heroic stature, and the cycle of death and vengeance that consumes the characters.

## Character check-ins

### Siegfried

Youngest king of the Netherlands, woos Kriemhild, aids Günther with his cloak of invisibility, and is murdered by Hagan.

### Odin

Referenced as Wotan, part of the prehistoric Teutonic pantheon worshipped when the epic originated.

### Thor

Mentioned among the gods worshipped in the German forests during the epic's prehistoric era.

## Key lines

> Well-grown and well-compacted was that redoubted guest; Long were his legs and sinewy, and deep and broad his chest; His hair, that once was sable, with gray was dashed of late; Most terrible his visage, and lordly was his gait.

Hagan is described as a formidable, well-built man with long sinewy legs, a broad chest, graying hair, and a terrifying yet lordly appearance.

_Description of Hagan from the Nibelungen Lied, stanza 1789._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-nibelungen-lied
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters