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Nibelungenlied

The Nibelungenlied, or The Song of the Nibelungs, is a medieval epic poem in Middle High German, probably composed in the early 13th century and drawing on older oral traditions. It survives in four 13th‑century manuscripts and exists in two principal textual groupings. The narrative centers on the Burgundian kings Gunther, Gernot and Giselher, the dragon‑slayer Siegfried who wins the treasure of the Nibelungs, and the fates of their house as pride, treachery, and vengeance unfold.

The first half recounts Siegfried’s exploits, his alliance with Gunther, and the deception surrounding Brünhild that

Thematically, the work explores honor, feuding, loyalty, treachery, and the collision between a heroic code and

Influence and legacy: the Nibelungenlied is a foundational text of German heroic literature and has shaped

leads
to
Siegfried’s
murder
at
the
hands
of
Hagen.
The
second
half
follows
Kriemhild,
Brünhild’s
sister,
as
she
marries
Etzel
(Attila)
and
pursues
revenge,
culminating
in
a
clash
at
Etzel’s
hall
that
devastates
the
Burgundians
and
the
Nibelung
treasure.
The
poem
ends
with
the
deaths
of
most
principal
characters
and
the
destruction
of
their
line.
evolving
Christian
morality.
It
blends
elements
of
mythic
treasure,
legendary
deeds,
and
courtly
dynamics
with
a
pronounced
sense
of
fate
and
tragedy.
The
style
is
formal
and
formulaic,
employing
extended
speeches
and
set
motifs
typical
of
high
medieval
epic.
later
medieval
writing
as
well
as
modern
adaptations.
Its
tale
of
treasure,
betrayal,
and
vengeance
influenced
composers
such
as
Richard
Wagner,
whose
operatic
interpretations
draw
on
aspects
of
the
Nibelung
legend.
The
work
remains
central
to
studies
of
German
literature
and
medieval
narrative.