The Nibelungenlied · Chapter
Adventure XVII: How Kriemhilda Mourn'd for Her Husband, and How He Was Buried explained
Kriemhilda discovers Siegfried's murdered body and mourns deeply.
What happens
Kriemhilda discovers Siegfried's murdered body and mourns deeply. She identifies Hagen as the killer and prevents Siegfried's men from attacking Gunther's court. Siegfried is buried with great ceremony and almsgiving after three days of mourning.
Themes in this chapter
Betrayal and Deception
Hagen's secret placement of Siegfried's body and the murder itself exemplify betrayal.
Revenge and Vengeance
Kriemhilda and Siegmund's desire for vengeance is a central tension, though restrained.
Love and Marriage
Kriemhilda's profound grief and devotion to Siegfried highlight the theme of marital love.
Characters to notice
- Kriemhilda
Discovers Siegfried's body, mourns him, and prevents immediate revenge.
- Siegfried
Murdered, his body is discovered and buried.
- Siegmund
Grieves for his son and prepares to avenge him, but is restrained by Kriemhilda.
- Hagen
Implied as the murderer, having placed Siegfried's body near Kriemhilda's door.
- King Gunther
Mentioned as a potential target of revenge; his court is implicated.
- Brunhilda
Accused by Kriemhilda of counseling the murder.
Key passages
“If thou wilt not believe me when thou hast heard my tale, With thine own ears 'tis easy to hear Kriemhilda wail; For she and all her people are mourning Siegfried dead.”
If you don't believe me, just listen to Kriemhilda's cries; she and her entire household are grieving Siegfried's death.
The messenger informs Siegmund of Siegfried's murder.
“Ah, if I only knew him! the noble wife did say, No mercy would I show him, in mind or body aye: Such evil would I do him, that if his kith and kin Had not good cause for weeping, 'twould be no fault of mine.”
Kriemhilda declares that if she knew the murderer, she would show no mercy and would cause such harm that his family would have reason to weep.
Kriemhilda vows revenge on Siegfried's killer.
“My lord Siegmund, what dost Thou think to take in hand now? Thou hast not weigh'd the cost. King Gunther hath so many bold warriors at command, That all of ye will perish if ye his knights withstand.”
Kriemhilda warns Siegmund that attacking Gunther would be futile because Gunther has many more warriors.
Kriemhilda restrains Siegmund from immediate revenge.