The Nibelungenlied · Character

Siegfried

The invincible Netherlander whose strength, treasure, and radiant marriage to Kriemhilda make him Burgundy's greatest asset — and its most dangerous guest.

major

Also known as young Siegfried, gallant Siegfried, Sir Siegfried, the Netherlander Siegfried, Prince Siegfried, the hero Siegfried of Netherland

First appearance: Adventure II: Siegfried

As a major figure in The Nibelungenlied, Siegfried is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Referenced in the context of the Volsungasaga providing earlier history of Siegfried and Brunhild.

In the storyEditor's PrefaceOpen this moment free

See Siegfried in Editor's Preface Book page

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Siegfried arrives at Worms as a prince with no court to call his own, winning Brunhilda for Gunther and Kriemhilda for himself through feats no other knight could attempt. His flaw is a kind of shining carelessness: he treats his invulnerability as a fact to be boasted about rather than a secret to guard, and he cannot imagine that the men who feast beside him might one day want him dead. When Kriemhilda lifts his bloodied head from the floor and finds no sword-dint on his shield, the poem's central question becomes not who killed him but which of his friends allowed it.

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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 Adventure II: Siegfried

Character Web

33 connections

A slice of how Siegfried sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Romantic
Rivalry
Family
Other

Character groups

Burgundian and Hun nobility
Protagonist
Supporting characters and minor figures

+28 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where Dietrich, the…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Kriemhilda
romantic · positive
Kriemhilda deeply loves Siegfried as her husband, and his murder drives her to obsessive… How this plays out →
Hagen
rivalry · negative
Siegmund
family · positive
Kriemhilda
romantic · positive
Kriemhilda deeply loves Siegfried as her husband, and his murder drives her to obsessive… How this plays out →
Kriemhilda
romantic · positive
Kriemhilda deeply loves Siegfried as her husband, and his murder drives her to obsessive… How this plays out →
Hagen
rivalry · negative
Siegmund
family · positive
Hagen
rivalry · negative
Siegmund
family · positive

Kriemhilda
Kriemhilda deeply loves Siegfried as her husband, and his murder drives her to obsessive vengeance.
Hagen
Hagen despises Siegfried's strength and status, plotting and executing his murder to protect Gunther's honor.
Siegmund
Siegmund is Siegfried's father, proud of his son and devastated by his murder.
Kriemhilda
Kriemhilda deeply loves Siegfried as her husband, and his murder drives her to obsessive vengeance.
Kriemhilda
Kriemhilda deeply loves Siegfried as her husband, and his murder drives her to obsessive vengeance.
Hagen
Hagen despises Siegfried's strength and status, plotting and executing his murder to protect Gunther's honor.
Siegmund
Siegmund is Siegfried's father, proud of his son and devastated by his murder.
Hagen
Hagen despises Siegfried's strength and status, plotting and executing his murder to protect Gunther's honor.
Siegmund
Siegmund is Siegfried's father, proud of his son and devastated by his murder.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Siegfried in Adventure II: Siegfried

In the story

Siegfried appears across 19 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Editor's Preface
Referenced in the context of the Volsungasaga providing earlier history of Siegfried and Brunhild.
The Nibelungenlied
Central hero of the epic, known for his strength and tragic fate.
Adventure II: Siegfried
The young prince of Netherland, son of Siegmund and Sieglind, who is knighted during a grand festival and shows great strength and virtue.
How Siegfried Came to Worms
Resolves to woo Kriemhilda, rides to Worms with eleven companions, and challenges Gunther for his kingdom.
Adventure IV: How Siegfried Fought the Saxons
Offers his unwavering support to Gunther, leads the army, captures King Ludegast, and defeats King Ludeger in single combat, securing the victory.
How Siegfried First Saw Kriemhilda
First sees Kriemhilda and is overwhelmed by her beauty; vows to serve her forever; remains at court at Giselher's urging.
How Gunther Went to Iceland After Brunhilda
Warns Gunther of Brunhilda's dangers, agrees to help in exchange for Kriemhilda's hand, and uses his Tarnhelm to gain strength.
How Gunther Won Brunhilda
Accompanies Gunther, identifies Brunhilda, and secretly uses the Tarnhelm to help Gunther win the contests.
How Siegfried Went to Fetch the Nibelungs
Siegfried uses his cloak of invisibility to sail to the Nibelung land, defeats the giant gatekeeper and Alberich, and commands a thousand Nibelung warriors to follow him.
How Siegfried Was Sent to Worms
Sent as herald to Worms; delivers news of Gunther's success and Brunhilda's arrival; receives a warm welcome from Kriemhilda.
Adventure X: How Brunhilda Was Received at Worms
Marries Kriemhilda; secretly overpowers Brunhilda in the bridal chamber to help Gunther.
Adventure XI: How Siegfried Went Home with His Wife
Decides to return home with Kriemhilda; becomes king of the Netherlands after Siegmund abdicates; rules the Nibelung kingdom.
How Gunther Bade Siegfried to the Festival
Receives the invitation warmly, consults his men, and decides to attend the festival with a large retinue.
How They Journeyed to the Festival
Leads the journey to Worms with Kriemhilda; welcomed by Gunther and honored with tilting and feasting.
Adventure XIV: How the Queens Railed at One Another
Mentioned as the subject of the queens' dispute; Kriemhilda claims he is superior to Gunther and accuses him of taking Brunhilda's maidenhead.
Adventure XV: How Siegfried Was Betrayed
Unknowingly walks into Hagen's trap; offers to fight Gunther's supposed enemies; agrees to go hunting.
Adventure XVI: How Siegfried Was Slain
The heroic protagonist who is betrayed and murdered by Hagen during a hunt.
Adventure XVII: How Kriemhilda Mourn'd for Her Husband, and How He Was Buried
Murdered, his body is discovered and buried.
Adventure XXII: How Etzel Espoused Kriemhilda
Kriemhilda's first husband, remembered with tears during the wedding festivities.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Siegfried unlock in the free preview.

See Siegfried in Adventure II: Siegfried

See Siegfried in Editor's Preface