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The Nibelungenlied · Chapters

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Chapter companions for The Nibelungenlied by Anonymous.

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  1. Chapter 1

    Editor's Preface

    The preface explains the translator's approach to rendering the Nibelungenlied into English verse, balancing literal accuracy with metrical form. It reviews previous translations, discusses the challenges of translating medieval epic poetry, and outlines the manuscript tradition (A, B, C) with MS. B (the St. Gall manuscript) as the basis. The preface also touches on the poem's legendary origins, historical anachronisms, and connections to Scandinavian sagas.

  2. Chapter 2

    The Nibelungenlied

    The Nibelungenlied is a medieval epic poem that recounts the heroic and tragic tales of Siegfried, Kriemhilda, Gunther, Brunhilda, and Hagen, weaving themes of love, honor, betrayal, and revenge against a backdrop of courtly intrigue and violent conflict.

  3. Chapter 3

    Adventure I: Kriemhilda

    The first adventure introduces Kriemhilda, a noble maiden of Burgundy, and her three royal brothers—Gunther, Gernot, and Giselher—who rule at Worms. The court is served by many valiant knights, including Hagen of Tronjé and his brother Dankwart. Kriemhilda has a prophetic dream of a falcon torn by two eagles, which her mother Uté interprets as a warning about a future husband who will be killed. Despite her resolve to avoid love to escape sorrow, the dream foreshadows her eventual marriage and the tragic vengeance she will exact for her husband's death.

  4. Chapter 4

    Adventure II: Siegfried

    This chapter introduces Siegfried, the young prince of Netherland, son of King Siegmund and Queen Sieglind. It describes his upbringing, his knighting ceremony, and the grand festivities held in his honor. Siegfried is portrayed as a gallant and strong knight, beloved by all, who refrains from taking the crown while his parents live, instead aspiring to defend the land against tyrants.

  5. Chapter 5

    How Siegfried Came to Worms

    Siegfried, son of King Siegmund and Queen Sieglind, resolves to woo Kriemhilda of Burgundy despite his parents' fears. He rides with only eleven companions to Worms, where he challenges King Gunther for his lands and people. Hagen warns Gunther of Siegfried's immense strength and deeds, including his conquest of the Nibelung hoard and dragon-slaying, advising a friendly reception. Gunther and his court welcome Siegfried courteously.

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  1. Chapter 6Adventure IV: How Siegfried Fought the Saxons
  2. Chapter 7How Siegfried First Saw Kriemhilda
  3. Chapter 8How Gunther Went to Iceland After Brunhilda
  4. Chapter 9How Gunther Won Brunhilda
  5. Chapter 10How Siegfried Went to Fetch the Nibelungs
  6. Chapter 11How Siegfried Was Sent to Worms
  7. Chapter 12Adventure X: How Brunhilda Was Received at Worms
  8. Chapter 13Adventure XI: How Siegfried Went Home with His Wife
  9. Chapter 14How Gunther Bade Siegfried to the Festival
  10. Chapter 15How They Journeyed to the Festival
  11. Chapter 16Adventure XIV: How the Queens Railed at One Another
  12. Chapter 17Adventure XV: How Siegfried Was Betrayed
  13. Chapter 18Adventure XVI: How Siegfried Was Slain
  14. Chapter 19Adventure XVII: How Kriemhilda Mourn'd for Her Husband, and How He Was Buried
  15. Chapter 20Adventure XVIII: How Siegmund Went Back to His Own Land
  16. Chapter 21How the Nibelung Hoard Was Brought to Worms
  17. Chapter 22Adventure XX: How King Etzel Sent to Burgundy After Kriemhilda
  18. Chapter 23How Kriemhilda Went to the Huns
  19. Chapter 24Adventure XXII: How Etzel Espoused Kriemhilda
  20. Chapter 25Adventure XXIII: How Kriemhilda Thought to Avenge Her Injury
  21. Chapter 26Adventure XXIV: How Werbel and Schwemmel Did Their Errand
  22. Chapter 27Adventure XXV: How the Lords All Went to the Huns
  23. Chapter 28Adventure XXVI: How Gelfrat Was Slain by Dankwart
  24. Chapter 29Adventure XXVII: How They Came to Bechelaren
  25. Chapter 30Adventure XXVIII: How the Burgundians Came to Etzel’s Stronghold
  26. Chapter 31Adventure XXIX: How He Stood Not Up Before Her
  27. Chapter 32Adventure XXX: How They Kept Watch and Ward
  28. Chapter 33Adventure XXXI: How They Went to Church
  29. Chapter 34Adventure XXXII: How Bloedelin Was Slain
  30. Chapter 35Adventure XXXIII: How the Burgundians Fought with the Huns
  31. Chapter 36Adventure XXXIV: How They Cast Forth the Dead
  32. Chapter 37Adventure XXXV: How Iring Was Slain
  33. Chapter 38Adventure XXXVI: How the Queen Bade That the Hall Be Set on Fire
  34. Chapter 39Adventure XXXVII: How the Margrave Rüdeger Was Slain
  35. Chapter 40Adventure XXXVIII: How Lord Dietrich’s Warriors All Were Slain
  36. Chapter 41Adventure XXXIX: How Gunther and Hagen and Kriemhilda Were Slain
  37. Chapter 42Endnotes