# King Gunther — The Nibelungenlied character guide

> King Gunther in The Nibelungenlied by Anonymous.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Gunther, noble Gunther, the wealthy Gunther, Lord Gunther

**First appearance:** 0002-adventure-i-kriemhilda

## Snapshot

King of Burgundy, whose desire for Brunhilda's impossible hand sets in motion the deception that will unravel his house and everyone in it.

## Who they are

Gunther is a king who wants what he cannot win alone — Brunhilda's hand, which requires feats of strength only Siegfried can perform — and he accepts the help without fully reckoning what it will cost. He is not cruel, but he is weak in the specific way that matters: he lets Hagen do the things he will not do himself, and he lets Siegfried pay for the victories he claims as his own. When Kriemhilda warns Siegmund's men not to attack because Gunther has too many warriors, she is describing the real problem: her brother's power is borrowed, and the men who lend it to him are not gentle.

## In the story

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

King of Burgundy, involved in the wooing of Brunhilda and the conflict with Kriemhilda.

### [Adventure I: Kriemhilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-i-kriemhilda)

The eldest of the three Burgundian kings, guardian of Kriemhilda, and ruler at Worms.

### [How Siegfried Came to Worms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-iii-how-siegfried-came-to-worms)

Ruler of Burgundy, astonished by Siegfried's arrival and challenge, but advised by Hagen to receive him well.

### [Adventure IV: How Siegfried Fought the Saxons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-iv-how-siegfried-fought-the-saxons)

Receives the war declaration, consults his vassals, and entrusts the campaign to Siegfried while remaining in Worms.

### [How Siegfried First Saw Kriemhilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-v-how-siegfried-first-saw-kriemhilda)

Hosts the Whitsun festival; arranges for Kriemhilda to appear; seeks Siegfried's counsel on the peace treaty.

### [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)

Resolves to woo Brunhilda despite the deadly risks, and negotiates with Siegfried for his aid.

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

Arrives at Brunhilda's castle and selects Brunhilda as his desired bride; participates in the athletic contests with Siegfried's secret aid.

### [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)

Gunther explains to Brunhilda that the arriving warriors are his men and later laughs with Hagen at Brunhilda's concern over her treasure.

### [How Siegfried Was Sent to Worms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-ix-how-siegfried-was-sent-to-worms)

Requests Siegfried to ride ahead as envoy; instructs him to convey greetings and orders for the welcome festivities.

### [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)

Marries Brunhilda; relies on Siegfried's help to consummate the marriage.

### [Adventure XI: How Siegfried Went Home with His Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xi-how-siegfried-went-home-with-his-wife)

Offers Siegfried a share of the kingdom; later has a son named Siegfried with Brunhilda.

### [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)

Reluctantly agrees to Brunhilda's request and sends messengers to Siegfried.

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

Hosts the festival, personally greets Siegfried and Siegmund, and orders preparations for the guests.

### [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)

Initially reluctant to harm Siegfried, but eventually gives in to Hagen's counsel and agrees to the treacherous plan.

### [Adventure XV: How Siegfried Was Betrayed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xv-how-siegfried-was-betrayed)

Participates in the deception; feigns war and later suggests the hunt.

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

King of Burgundy who conspires with Hagen to murder 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)

Mentioned as a potential target of revenge; his court is implicated.

### [How the Nibelung Hoard Was Brought to Worms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xix-how-the-nibelung-hoard-was-brought-to-worms)

Reluctantly allows Kriemhilda to keep the hoard but is persuaded by Hagen to break his oath and take it from her.

### [Adventure XX: How King Etzel Sent to Burgundy After Kriemhilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xx-how-king-etzel-sent-to-burgundy-after-kriemhilda)

King of Burgundy, initially cautious but ultimately agrees to support Kriemhilda's marriage to Etzel.

### [Adventure XXIII: How Kriemhilda Thought to Avenge Her Injury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxiii-how-kriemhilda-thought-to-avenge-her-injury)

Kriemhilda's brother and one of the intended victims of her vengeance; she breaks her friendship with him.

### [Adventure XXIV: How Werbel and Schwemmel Did Their Errand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxiv-how-werbel-and-schwemmel-did-their-errand)

Receives the envoys and deliberates with his men about accepting Etzel's invitation.

### [Adventure XXV: How the Lords All Went to the Huns](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxv-how-the-lords-all-went-to-the-huns)

Leads the Burgundian lords on the journey and questions Hagen about the missing ferryman.

### [Adventure XXVI: How Gelfrat Was Slain by Dankwart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxvi-how-gelfrat-was-slain-by-dankwart)

Asks who will show the way, and later sends Eckewart as messenger to Rüdeger requesting hospitality.

### [Adventure XXVII: How They Came to Bechelaren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxvii-how-they-came-to-bechelaren)

Received as a guest and given a coat of mail by Rüdeger.

### [Adventure XXVIII: How the Burgundians Came to Etzel’s Stronghold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxviii-how-the-burgundians-came-to-etzel-s-stronghold)

Leads the Burgundian party and speaks with Dietrich about the queen's intentions.

### [Adventure XXIX: How He Stood Not Up Before Her](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxix-how-he-stood-not-up-before-her)

Leads the Burgundian retinue to court; greeted warmly by Etzel.

### [Adventure XXX: How They Kept Watch and Ward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxx-how-they-kept-watch-and-ward)

Asks the host for leave to sleep and is given a roomy hall.

### [Adventure XXXI: How They Went to Church](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxxi-how-they-went-to-church)

Present at the feast, though not directly active in the chapter's events; his men are the target of Kriemhilda's revenge.

### [Adventure XXXII: How Bloedelin Was Slain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxxii-how-bloedelin-was-slain)

One of Dankwart's masters, implicated in Siegfried's death and a target of Kriemhilda's vengeance.

### [Adventure XXXIII: How the Burgundians Fought with the Huns](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxxiii-how-the-burgundians-fought-with-the-huns)

Fights alongside his brothers and later negotiates with Dietrich to allow him and his men to leave.

### [Adventure XXXV: How Iring Was Slain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxxv-how-iring-was-slain)

Fights Iring without wounding him, later laments the slaughter.

### [Adventure XXXVI: How the Queen Bade That the Hall Be Set on Fire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxxvi-how-the-queen-bade-that-the-hall-be-set-on-fire)

Pleads for a truce, but accepts the fight when denied.

### [Adventure XXXVII: How the Margrave Rüdeger Was Slain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxxvii-how-the-margrave-r-deger-was-slain)

Gunther is present with the other Burgundian leaders after the battle, mourning Rüdeger.

### [Adventure XXXVIII: How Lord Dietrich’s Warriors All Were Slain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxxviii-how-lord-dietrich-s-warriors-all-were-slain)

Gunther speaks in defense of honoring Rüdeger's body, but refuses to surrender it, maintaining his stance against Dietrich's men.

### [Adventure XXXIX: How Gunther and Hagen and Kriemhilda Were Slain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxxix-how-gunther-and-hagen-and-kriemhilda-were-slain)

Refuses to surrender, fights Dietrich, is captured and bound, then beheaded by Kriemhilda's order.

## Links

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