The Nibelungenlied · Chapter
How Gunther Went to Iceland After Brunhilda explained
King Gunther decides to woo the formidable Queen Brunhilda of Iceland, who challenges suitors to three contests with death as the penalty for failure.
What happens
King Gunther decides to woo the formidable Queen Brunhilda of Iceland, who challenges suitors to three contests with death as the penalty for failure. Siegfried agrees to help Gunther in exchange for the hand of Kriemhilda. They swear an oath, and Siegfried reveals his Tarnhelm, a cloak of invisibility that grants him the strength of twelve men. They plan a small expedition of four: Gunther, Siegfried, Hagen, and Dankwart. Kriemhilda prepares fine garments for the journey, and they sail down the Rhine to Isenstein.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
Gunther's quest for Brunhilda and Siegfried's bargain for Kriemhilda drive the plot, linking marriage to peril and alliance.
Power and Wealth
Brunhilda's strength and the stakes of her contest highlight the intersection of physical power and royal status.
Betrayal and Deception
Siegfried's use of the Tarnhelm to deceive Brunhilda sets the stage for future conflict and betrayal.
Characters to notice
- King Gunther
Resolves to woo Brunhilda despite the deadly risks, and negotiates with Siegfried for his aid.
- Siegfried
Warns Gunther of Brunhilda's dangers, agrees to help in exchange for Kriemhilda's hand, and uses his Tarnhelm to gain strength.
- Kriemhilda
Prepares fine clothing for the expedition, showing her loyalty and affection toward Siegfried.
- Hagen
Advises Gunther to take Siegfried along and is chosen as one of the four companions.
- Dankwart
Selected as the fourth member of the small expedition to Iceland.
- Brunhilda
The powerful queen of Iceland, whose deadly contests and beauty are the object of Gunther's quest.
Key passages
“There was a great queen, dwelling, somewhere beyond the sea, Whose like none had seen ever, and ne'er again would see. She was of matchless beauty, and strong withal of make;— She shot with ready warriors, and made her love the stake.”
A powerful queen across the sea, unmatched in beauty and strength, forces suitors to compete in deadly games for her hand.
Introduces Brunhilda's character and the perilous nature of her courtship.
“Giv'st thou to me thy sister, behold, it shall be done! Give me the lovely Kriemhild, the high and noble queen; No guerdon for my labour, save this I care to win.”
Siegfried agrees to help Gunther only if he is promised Kriemhilda as his wife.
Establishes the central bargain that motivates Siegfried's involvement.
“Siegfried his hood of darkness, Tarnhelm yclept, must take: The same that the bold hero, after hard fight, did make His own, from a dwarf wrested, whose name was Alberich.”
Siegfried uses the Tarnhelm, a magical cloak he won from the dwarf Alberich, which grants invisibility and extra strength.
Highlights the magical element that enables the deception of Brunhilda.