brunhild

Brunhild is a prominent figure in Germanic heroic legend, most famously appearing in the Poetic Edda and the Volsunga Saga, and later in Richard Wagner's opera cycle, Der Ring des Nibelungen. Her story is often intertwined with that of Sigurd (or Siegfried), the dragon-slayer.

In the Eddic poems, Brunhild is a valkyrie, a shieldmaiden who serves Odin. She is often depicted as powerful and independent, cursed to be reborn as a mortal woman and to marry a man who cannot overcome her in strength. Odin places her in a castle surrounded by a wall of fire, from which only a hero brave enough to pass through the flames can rescue her.

This hero is typically Sigurd, who, with the help of a magical potion or a disguise, manages to defeat her in combat and win her hand. However, Sigurd is often tricked or compelled to break his promise to Brunhild, leading to a tragic chain of events. He may marry another woman, Gudrun, while still being betrothed to Brunhild, or be forced to deceive Brunhild into marrying his foster brother, Gunnar.

The betrayal of Sigurd leads to Brunhild's profound grief and ultimately her suicide. Her death is a pivotal moment in the saga, setting in motion the revenge of Sigurd's children and the downfall of many of the characters involved. Brunhild's character embodies themes of fate, betrayal, honor, and the tragic consequences of broken oaths. Her complex portrayal has made her a lasting and compelling figure in mythological and literary traditions.