Kriemhild
Kriemhild is a central figure in the medieval German epic poem known as the Nibelungenlied, which dates back to around 1200. She is also known as Gudrun in other versions of the legend, such as in the Volsunga Saga and the Poetic Edda from Norse mythology.
Character Overview
- Background: Kriemhild is portrayed as a beautiful and noble woman, the daughter of King Dancrat and Queen Uote, and the sister of Gunther, the king of Burgundy. She is the epitome of beauty and virtue in the epic.
- Marriages:
- Her first marriage is to Siegfried, the dragon-slayer, who wins her hand by helping Gunther to woo Brunhild. Their marriage ends tragically with Siegfried's death.
- After Siegfried's murder, orchestrated by Hagen of Tronje due to political machinations involving Brunhild, Kriemhild marries Etzel, also known as Attila the Hun, in a move for revenge against her brothers and Hagen.
- Role in the Nibelungenlied: Initially portrayed as a passive character, Kriemhild's role evolves into one of vengeance. Her transformation from a loving wife to a vengeful widow is a pivotal narrative arc in the story.
Revenge and Tragedy
After Siegfried's death, Kriemhild's life becomes a quest for retribution:
- She uses her second marriage to Etzel as a means to lure her brothers to Hungary, where she plans their destruction.
- Her vengeance culminates in the Battle of the Huns, where almost all the heroes of the Nibelungenlied perish, including her brothers and Hagen.
- Kriemhild's own death is tragic; she kills Hagen, but in turn, she is killed by one of Etzel's vassals, Hildebrand, ending her life in sorrow and bloodshed.
Symbolism and Themes
- Vengeance: Kriemhild's story is emblematic of the destructive power of vengeance in Germanic heroic poetry.
- Loyalty and Betrayal: Her tale explores themes of loyalty to family and the betrayal that can arise from political and personal ambitions.
- Gender Roles: Kriemhild's transformation from a passive figure to an active avenger challenges traditional gender roles within the epic.
Sources
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