The Nibelungenlied · Chapter
How Siegfried Went to Fetch the Nibelungs explained
Siegfried, using his cloak of invisibility, sails alone to the Nibelung land, where he defeats a giant gatekeeper and the dwarf Alberich.
What happens
Siegfried, using his cloak of invisibility, sails alone to the Nibelung land, where he defeats a giant gatekeeper and the dwarf Alberich. After binding them, he reveals his identity and commands Alberich to summon a thousand Nibelung warriors. Siegfried selects the best knights and returns with them to Brunhilda's land, where they are welcomed. Brunhilda, suspicious of the lavish gifts distributed by Dankwart, expresses concern over her wealth. Eventually, she prepares to leave for the Rhineland with a large retinue, including her own chosen warriors and maidens, to marry Gunther.
Themes in this chapter
Power and Wealth
Siegfried demonstrates his power by defeating the giant and Alberich, then commands the Nibelung warriors. Brunhilda's concern over the distribution of her gold highlights the importance of wealth and control.
Loyalty and Friendship
Alberich swears fealty to Siegfried after being defeated, and the Nibelung warriors readily obey Siegfried's summons, showing loyalty to their lord.
Characters to notice
- Siegfried
Siegfried uses his cloak of invisibility to sail to the Nibelung land, defeats the giant gatekeeper and Alberich, and commands a thousand Nibelung warriors to follow him.
- Alberich
Alberich, the dwarf treasurer of the Nibelungs, attacks Siegfried but is overpowered and bound; he later swears fealty and summons the Nibelung knights.
- King Gunther
Gunther explains to Brunhilda that the arriving warriors are his men and later laughs with Hagen at Brunhilda's concern over her treasure.
- Brunhilda
Brunhilda questions the identity of the arriving warriors, expresses vexation at Dankwart's lavish distribution of her gold, and prepares to leave her land with a large retinue.
- Dankwart
Dankwart, brother of Hagen and liegeman of Giselher, takes the key to Brunhilda's treasure and distributes gold and clothing generously, causing Brunhilda's displeasure.
- Hagen
Hagen reassures Brunhilda that King Gunther has enough wealth and laughs with Gunther at her worries.
Key passages
“So thence went Siegfried unto the haven on the strand, Clad in his hood of darkness, to where a boat did stand.”
Siegfried, wearing his invisibility cloak, went to the harbor where a boat was waiting.
Siegfried uses his magical cloak to travel unseen.
“At last he threw the giant, and bound him foot and hand; The tidings soon spread over the whole of Niblung-land.”
Siegfried finally overpowered the giant, tied him up, and news of the fight quickly spread across the Nibelung land.
Siegfried defeats the giant gatekeeper.
“With his strong hands for weapons at Alberich he ran, And by the beard he gripp'd him, that old and grizzly man!”
Siegfried attacked Alberich with his bare hands, grabbing him by his long, gray beard.
Siegfried subdues the dwarf Alberich in hand-to-hand combat.
“Then spake the Queen Brunhilda: 'Right thankful should I be To him who could my silver and gold divide for me Between my guests and Gunther's; an ample store I have.'”
Queen Brunhilda said she would be grateful to anyone who could fairly distribute her silver and gold among her guests and Gunther's men.
Brunhilda seeks a treasurer to manage her wealth.
“She spake, in her vexation: 'Sir King, it seems to me This chamberlain of yours is with all my goods so free He soon will leave me nothing: he throws my gold away!'”
Brunhilda complained to the king that his chamberlain was giving away her goods so freely that he would leave her with nothing.
Brunhilda is angry at Dankwart's generous distribution of her treasure.
