# Adventure XIV: How the Queens Railed at One Another explained — The Nibelungenlied

> Chapter companion for The Nibelungenlied by Anonymous.

## What happens

The public quarrel between Kriemhilda and Brunhilda escalates from a dispute over the status of their husbands to a bitter exchange of insults and accusations. Kriemhilda claims Siegfried is superior to Gunther, while Brunhilda insists Siegfried is Gunther's vassal. The conflict culminates in a confrontation at the minster, where Kriemhilda accuses Brunhilda of being a wanton and claims Siegfried took her maidenhead. She produces a ring and girdle as proof, deepening the enmity. Hagen seizes on the quarrel to plot Siegfried's murder, persuading Gunther to feign a war to lure Siegfried into a trap.

## Themes in this chapter

### Honor and Reputation

The queens' dispute centers on the honor and status of their husbands, with Kriemhilda asserting Siegfried's superiority and Brunhilda defending Gunther's rank.

### Betrayal and Deception

Hagen and Gunther conspire to deceive Siegfried by feigning a war, leading to his betrayal and murder.

### Revenge and Vengeance

Brunhilda's weeping and the quarrel set the stage for Hagen's plot to kill Siegfried, driven by a desire for revenge.

### Gender and Power

The queens' conflict reveals how women's power is mediated through their husbands, and their public dispute triggers deadly consequences for men.

## Character check-ins

### Kriemhilda

Engages in a public quarrel with Brunhilda over the status of their husbands, asserting Siegfried's superiority and accusing Brunhilda of being a wanton.

### Brunhilda

Insists that Siegfried is Gunther's vassal and is deeply wounded by Kriemhilda's accusations, weeping and vowing revenge.

### Hagen

Seizes on the queens' quarrel to plot Siegfried's murder, persuading Gunther to feign a war to lure Siegfried into a trap.

### King Gunther

Initially reluctant to harm Siegfried, but eventually gives in to Hagen's counsel and agrees to the treacherous plan.

### Siegfried

Mentioned as the subject of the queens' dispute; Kriemhilda claims he is superior to Gunther and accuses him of taking Brunhilda's maidenhead.

### Ortwein

Speaks in favor of killing Siegfried, offering to do the deed himself if allowed by his lord.

## Key lines

> Are we to harbour cuckoos? cried Hagen, answering: To gallant knights as we are scant honour that would bring! That he of my dear lady hath bragg'd so scurvily His life shall make atonement; or I myself will die.

Hagen asks if they should tolerate being cuckolds, saying it would dishonor them as knights. He declares that Siegfried's boast about Brunhilda must be paid for with his life, or Hagen himself will die.

_Hagen uses the queens' quarrel to justify his murderous intent, framing it as a matter of knightly honor._

> He'll never know, quoth Hagen, save thou should let it out! I trow that I in secret can bring it so about That for Brunhilda's weeping sore reckoning he shall pay. Yea, verily is Hagen his enemy for aye.

Hagen assures Gunther that Siegfried will never find out about the plot unless Gunther reveals it. He claims he can secretly arrange for Siegfried to pay dearly for Brunhilda's tears, confirming his eternal enmity.

_Hagen reveals his plan to kill Siegfried in secret, exploiting the queens' conflict to achieve his own ends._

> Before the queen a vassal shall ne'er take right of way!

Brunhilda commands Kriemhilda to stop, asserting that a vassal's wife should not precede the queen.

_Brunhilda publicly asserts her superior rank, triggering Kriemhilda's angry response._

> Thou hast disgraced thy beauty and stain'd thy purity: How should a shameless wanton a king's wife ever be?

Kriemhilda accuses Brunhilda of disgracing her beauty and purity, questioning how a shameless wanton could be a king's wife.

_Kriemhilda launches a personal attack on Brunhilda's honor, accusing her of sexual impropriety._

> By this gold ring I'll prove it, which on my hand I wear; 'Twas brought to me by Siegfried when by your side he lay.

Kriemhilda claims the gold ring on her hand proves her accusation, saying Siegfried gave it to her when he lay with Brunhilda.

_Kriemhilda uses the ring as evidence to support her claim that Siegfried took Brunhilda's maidenhead._

## Links

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