# Brunhilda — The Nibelungenlied character guide

> Brunhilda in The Nibelungenlied by Anonymous.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Queen Brunhilda, Dame Brunhilda, the beauteous Brunhilda, Brunhild

**First appearance:** 0007-adventure-vi-how-gunther-went-to-iceland-after-brunhilda

## Snapshot

The Icelandic queen whose superhuman strength and pride make her Gunther's impossible bride — and whose humiliation at Siegfried's hands plants the seed of the entire tragedy.

## Who they are

Brunhilda is introduced as a queen who will marry only the man who can outdo her in three contests of strength, and she means it: she has killed suitors before. When Siegfried, invisible, defeats her on Gunther's behalf, she is not merely tricked — she is violated in the one arena where she was invincible, and the poem lets her feel the full weight of that. Her later weeping over Siegfried's body, and Hagen's determination to make good her scorn, reveal that she understood the deception long before Kriemhilda exposed it. She is not a villain either; she is the first person in the poem to be wronged, and the wrong never stops echoing.

## Relationships

### [Kriemhilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/kriemhilda)

_rivalry_

Brunhilda and Kriemhilda become bitter rivals over status and the deception surrounding Siegfried's role in Brunhilda's wooing.

### [Kriemhilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/kriemhilda)

_rivalry_

Brunhilda and Kriemhilda become bitter rivals over status and the deception surrounding Siegfried's role in Brunhilda's wooing.

### [Kriemhilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/kriemhilda)

_rivalry_

Brunhilda and Kriemhilda become bitter rivals over status and the deception surrounding Siegfried's role in Brunhilda's wooing.

## In the story

### [Editor's Preface](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/editor-s-preface)

Mentioned alongside Siegfried in relation to the Volsungasaga's account of their earlier history.

### [The Nibelungenlied](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/the-nibelungenlied)

Queen of Iceland, whose quarrel with Kriemhilda sparks the central conflict.

### [How Gunther Went to Iceland After Brunhilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-vi-how-gunther-went-to-iceland-after-brunhilda)

The powerful queen of Iceland, whose deadly contests and beauty are the object of Gunther's quest.

### [How Gunther Won Brunhilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-vii-how-gunther-won-brunhilda)

The queen of the castle who challenges Gunther to athletic contests; displays immense strength and warlike gear.

### [How Siegfried Went to Fetch the Nibelungs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-viii-how-siegfried-went-to-fetch-the-nibelungs)

Brunhilda questions the identity of the arriving warriors, expresses vexation at Dankwart's lavish distribution of her gold, and prepares to leave her land with a large retinue.

### [Adventure X: How Brunhilda Was Received at Worms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-x-how-brunhilda-was-received-at-worms)

Arrives as Gunther's bride; weeps upon seeing Kriemhilda wed to Siegfried; is overpowered in the bridal chamber.

### [How Gunther Bade Siegfried to the Festival](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xii-how-gunther-bade-siegfried-to-the-festival)

Brooding over Kriemhild's pride, she manipulates Gunther into inviting Siegfried and Kriemhilda to a festival.

### [How They Journeyed to the Festival](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xiii-how-they-journeyed-to-the-festival)

Receives Kriemhilda with courtesy, though her gaze hints at jealousy; participates in the welcoming ceremonies.

### [Adventure XIV: How the Queens Railed at One Another](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xiv-how-the-queens-railed-at-one-another)

Insists that Siegfried is Gunther's vassal and is deeply wounded by Kriemhilda's accusations, weeping and vowing revenge.

### [Adventure XVI: How Siegfried Was Slain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xvi-how-siegfried-was-slain)

Gunther's wife whose counsel leads to the plot against Siegfried.

### [Adventure XVII: How Kriemhilda Mourn'd for Her Husband, and How He Was Buried](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xvii-how-kriemhilda-mourn-d-for-her-husband-and-how-he-was-buried)

Accused by Kriemhilda of counseling the murder.

### [Adventure XVIII: How Siegmund Went Back to His Own Land](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xviii-how-siegmund-went-back-to-his-own-land)

Remains arrogantly aloof, showing no remorse or goodwill toward Kriemhilda.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/brunhilda
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters