Bulfinch’s Mythology · Character

Siegfried

Volsung hero who wins the hoard and slays the dragon Fafner, then finds that a cursed treasure outlives the man who takes it.

supporting

First appearance: i introduction

As a supporting figure in Bulfinch’s Mythology, Siegfried is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Siegfried, hero of the Nibelungen Lied, obtains the Nibelungen hoard, marries Kriemhild, is later murdered by Hagan, and appears in Wagner's Ring as a central figure.

In the storyXL: The Death of Baldur—The Elves—Runic Letters—Iceland—Teutonic Mythology—Nibelungen LiedOpen this moment free

See Siegfried in XL: The Death of Baldur—The Elves—Runic Letters—Iceland—Teutonic Mythology—Nibelungen Lied Book page

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Siegfried stands at the center of the Nibelungen cycle, the dragon-slayer whose strength is matched only by the doom attached to what he wins. Bulfinch's Northern Mythology section places him among the Teutonic counterparts to the Greek heroes — same heroic shape, darker weather. The tension that drives his story is not whether he can kill the dragon but what happens to loyalty and love once the gold changes hands, which is why the saga keeps circling back to him long after he falls.

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The fuller portrait of Siegfried sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Siegfried in i introduction

Character Web

11 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Norse Mythological Figures
Greek and Trojan Heroes
Protagonist
Arthurian and Romance Knights

+6 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional peak of Tristram’s brief reunion with…

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In the story

Siegfried appears across 8 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

XL: The Death of Baldur—The Elves—Runic Letters—Iceland—Teutonic Mythology—Nibelungen Lied
Siegfried, hero of the Nibelungen Lied, obtains the Nibelungen hoard, marries Kriemhild, is later murdered by Hagan, and appears in Wagner's Ring as a central figure.
The Nibelungen Lied
Youngest king of the Netherlands, woos Kriemhild, aids Günther with his cloak of invisibility, and is murdered by Hagan.
The Nibelungen Hoard
Obtained the Nibelungen hoard from the conquered Nibelungs and gave it to Kriemhild as her wedding portion.
Wagner’s Nibelungen Ring
The hero who reforges Nothung, slays the dragon Fafner, wins the ring, marries Brunhild, and is later betrayed and slain.
H
Mentioned as slain by Hagan in the Nibelungen Lied.
K
Husband of Kriemhild.
N
Seized the Nibelungen Hoard from the Nibelungs.
S
Young King of the Netherlands, husband of Kriemhild, slain by Hagan after Brunhild's anger.

Chapter companion notes

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See Siegfried in i introduction

See Siegfried in XL: The Death of Baldur—The Elves—Runic Letters—Iceland—Teutonic Mythology—Nibelungen Lied