Swanhilde

Swanhilde is a character who appears in Richard Wagner's opera cycle, Der Ring des Nibelungen. She is a Valkyrie, a warrior maiden tasked with escorting fallen heroes to Valhalla. Swanhilde is the daughter of Wotan, the king of the gods, and Fricka. She is often depicted as a strong and independent figure, loyal to her father and her sisters. In the opera cycle, she plays a role in the events surrounding the curse of the Ring and the eventual downfall of the gods. Her presence in the narrative underscores the themes of fate, power, and the consequences of ambition. Swanhilde's character, while not as central as some others, contributes to the epic scope and mythological richness of Wagner's masterpiece. Her lineage and role as a Valkyrie connect her to the divine realm and the cosmic struggles within the story.