61 pages 2 hours read

Anonymous

Nibelungenlied

Fiction | Novel/Book in Verse | Adult | Published in 1200

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapters 1-5

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 1 Summary: “Kriemhild”

The poet opens the epic by appealing to the reader’s previous knowledge of heroic tales and promises to present “wonders unending” (17). After this, the poet turns their attention towards action and introduces The Nibelungenlied’s heroine, Kriemhild, a beautiful Burgundian maiden adored by many. Kriemhild’s three brothers—Gunther, Gernot, and Giselher—keep watch of her. The men are “of high race, magnanimous, strong, and brave beyond measure, altogether rare warriors” who eventually “wrought mighty wonders in Etzel’s land” (17). Kriemhild and her brothers reside in Worms, a city near the Rhine. Kriemhild’s brothers possess several vassals: Hagen of Troneck, Hagen’s brother Dancwart, Ortwin of Metz, Gere, Eckewart, Volker of Alzei, Rumold, Sindold, and Hunold.

As a child, Kriemhild dreams about raising a beautiful falcon only to see it killed by two eagles. Distraught, she tells Uote, her mother, about the dream. Uote believes the falcon represents a future lover who “unless, God preserve him, will soon be taken from [Kriemhild]” (17). Kriemhild declares that she has no intention of marrying since it will lessen her beauty, but Uote argues that marrying a virtuous knight will only increase it. The chapter ends with the poet

blurred text

blurred text

Related Titles

By Anonymous

Study Guide

logo

Arden of Faversham

Anonymous

Arden of Faversham

Anonymous

Study Guide

logo

A Woman in Berlin

Anonymous

A Woman in Berlin

Anonymous

Study Guide

logo

Bible (New Testament)

Anonymous

Bible (New Testament): English Standard Version

Anonymous

Study Guide

logo

Bible: Old Testament

Anonymous

Bible: Old Testament: English Standard Version

Anonymous

Study Guide

logo

Diary of an Oxygen Thief

Anonymous

Diary of an Oxygen Thief

Anonymous

Study Guide

logo

Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep

Anonymous

Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep

Anonymous

Study Guide

logo

Homeric Hymns

Anonymous

Homeric Hymns

Anonymous

Study Guide

logo

Lazarillo De Tormes

Anonymous

Lazarillo De Tormes

Anonymous

Study Guide

logo

One Thousand and One Nights

Anonymous

One Thousand and One Nights

Anonymous

Study Guide

logo

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Anonymous

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Anonymous