Hero of the "Song of the Nibelungs".
Origin of the legend
Siegfried in "The Nibelungenlied"
Siegfried - main character"Songs of the Nibelungs". The prince from the Lower Rhine, the son of the Frankish king Sigmund and the origin of the epic personality of Siegfried is not yet completely clear. Some wanted to see in it an epic reflection of the memories of the historical Cheruscan prince Arminius, the conqueror of Var in the Teutoburg Forest (Gisebrecht, Wigfusson). It is most likely that Siegfried, next to Brunhild and Hagen, is the bearer of the central mythical motif of the saga, which was subsequently joined by other, partly historical elements.
The saga is based on a pan-Indo-European myth (divine or demonic), which is interpreted differently: some see in the hero’s struggle with his opponents a mythical expression of the change of winter and summer, others - light and darkness, day and night; hence the identification of Siegfried either with the god Balder (Lachmann), or with Frey (W. Müller) or Thor - Donar, the god of thunderstorms; depending on this, Brynhild is understood either as spring, or as the sun, or earthly vegetation. There are also scientists (Fischer, Heinzel) who see in the legends about Siegfried the result of the merging of several myths or tales.
It received the form in which the main motif was preserved in the “Nibelungenlied” from the Franks on the Rhine; from here, no earlier than the 6th century, it passed to other Germanic peoples, including Scandinavia, where the Frankish name Sigifrid, incomprehensible there, was replaced by the name Sigurd. There, the legends about his father, Sigmund, and his ancestors, which partly already existed on the mainland, received a rich development. “The saga of the Great King Sieglinde, the conqueror of the Nibelungs, who took possession of their treasure - the gold of the Rhine, is endowed with all the features of an ideal epic hero. He is noble, brave, courteous. Duty and honor are above all for him. The “Song” repeatedly emphasizes his extraordinary attractiveness and physical strength.
Even as a mustacheless youth the prince was brave,And everywhere his praise thundered.
He was so high in spirit and so handsome in face,
That more than one beauty had to sigh for him.His parents raised him well,
Although nature was generous, he was exacted without it.
Therefore, the warrior is rightfully youngHe was considered an adornment of his native country.
In popular culture
To the cinema
- Nibelungen: Siegfried / Die Nibelungen: Siegfried (1924; Germany) directed by Fritz Lang, in the role of Siegfried Paul Richter.
- Ring of the Nibelungs (2004), as Benno Fuhrmann.
Literature
- Gurevich A. Ya. Sigurd // Myths of the peoples of the world: Encyclopedia. - M.: Russian Encyclopedia, 1994. - T. 2. - pp. 432-433. - ISBN 5-85270-072-X.
- // Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg. , 1890-1907.
Write a review about the article "Siegfried"
Notes
Excerpt characterizing Siegfried
Seven years have passed since the 12th year. The troubled historical sea of Europe has settled into its shores. It seemed quiet; but the mysterious forces that move humanity (mysterious because the laws determining their movement are unknown to us) continued to operate.Despite the fact that the surface of the historical sea seemed motionless, humanity moved as continuously as the movement of time. Various groups of human connections formed and disintegrated; the reasons for the formation and disintegration of states and the movements of peoples were prepared.
The historical sea, not as before, was directed by gusts from one shore to another: it seethed in the depths. Historical figures, not as before, rushed in waves from one shore to another; now they seemed to be spinning in one place. Historical figures, who previously at the head of the troops reflected the movement of the masses with orders of wars, campaigns, battles, now reflected the seething movement with political and diplomatic considerations, laws, treatises...
Historians call this activity of historical figures reaction.
Describing the activities of these historical figures, who, in their opinion, were the cause of what they call the reaction, historians strictly condemn them. All famous people of that time, from Alexander and Napoleon to m me Stael, Photius, Schelling, Fichte, Chateaubriand, etc., pass before their strict judgment and are acquitted or condemned, depending on whether they contributed to progress or reaction.
In Russia, according to their description, a reaction also took place during this period of time, and the main culprit of this reaction was Alexander I - the same Alexander I who, according to their descriptions, was the main culprit of the liberal initiatives of his reign and the salvation of Russia.
In real Russian literature, from a high school student to a learned historian, there is not a person who would not throw his own pebble at Alexander I for his wrong actions during this period of his reign.
“He should have done this and that. In this case he acted well, in this case he acted badly. He behaved well at the beginning of his reign and during the 12th year; but he acted badly by giving a constitution to Poland, by making Holy Alliance, giving power to Arakcheev, encouraging Golitsyn and mysticism, then encouraging Shishkov and Photius. He did something wrong by being involved in the front part of the army; he acted badly by distributing the Semyonovsky regiment, etc.”
It would be necessary to fill ten pages in order to list all the reproaches that historians make to him on the basis of the knowledge of the good of humanity that they possess.
What do these reproaches mean?
The very actions for which historians approve of Alexander I, such as: the liberal initiatives of his reign, the fight against Napoleon, the firmness he showed in the 12th year, and the campaign of the 13th year, do not stem from the same sources - the conditions of blood , education, life, which made Alexander’s personality what it was - from which flow those actions for which historians blame him, such as: the Holy Alliance, the restoration of Poland, the reaction of the 20s?
What is the essence of these reproaches?
The fact that such a historical person as Alexander I, a person who stood at the highest possible level of human power, is, as it were, in the focus of the blinding light of all the historical rays concentrated on him; a person subject to those strongest influences in the world of intrigue, deception, flattery, self-delusion, which are inseparable from power; a face that felt, every minute of its life, responsibility for everything that happened in Europe, and a face that is not fictitious, but living, like every person, with its own personal habits, passions, aspirations for goodness, beauty, truth - that this face , fifty years ago, not only was he not virtuous (historians do not blame him for this), but he did not have those views for the good of humanity that a professor now has, who has been engaged in science from a young age, that is, reading books, lectures and copying these books and lectures in one notebook.
Who is Siegfried? What does Scandinavian mythology tell us about him? You will find answers to these and other questions in the article. Siegfried (Sigurd) is one of the most important characters in Scandinavian-Germanic epic and mythology. It is he who is the main character of “The Song of the Nibelungs”.
Mythology
The characters are amazing. Scandinavian Odinism is part of ancient Germanic mythology. The basic source of data about him is the works “Younger Edda” (prose) and “Elder Edda” (poetic) by S. Sturluson of the 12th century AD. e.
Around the same period, in “The Acts of the Danes,” the Danish chronicler Grammaticus Saxo conveys many of the plots of legends. Valuable information about the mythology of Ancient Germany is in Tacitus's "Germania".
Origin of the legend
So who is Siegfried? What does mythology say about him? The question of the starting point of this epic personality has not yet been fully clarified. Some wanted to see in it an epic reflection of the memories of Arminius (the historical prince of the Cherusci), who defeated Varus. It is most likely that Siegfried, along with Hagen and Brünnhilde, is the bearer of the mythical central motif of the saga, which was further joined by other, partly historical details.
The saga is based on a pan-Indo-European myth (demonic or divine), which is interpreted differently: some find in the hero’s struggle with enemies a mythical expression of the change of night and day, darkness and light, others - summer and winter. Therefore, Siegfried is identified either with Thor (Donar) or with Freyer. Brunnhilde, depending on this, is understood either as earthly vegetation, or as spring, or the sun. There are also scientists (Heinzel, Fischer) who see in the tales of Siegfried the result of the merger of several legends and myths.
The Song of the Nibelungs is great. He received the form in which the basic motif was preserved in it on the Rhine from the Franks. From here, no earlier than the 6th century, he passed on to other to the German peoples, including Scandinavia. Here the name Sigfrid, which is incomprehensible to people, was replaced by the name Sigurd. There, the legends about his father, Sigmund, and his ancestors, which existed on the mainland, received a rich development. “The Saga of the Volsungs” connects the hero’s family with Odin, the supreme deity.
Siegfried
What is Siegfried like in mythology? He is the son of the Frankish queen Sieglinde and King Sigmund, a prince from the Lower Rhine. Siegfried is the conqueror of the Nibelungs, who captured their treasure - the gold of the Rhine. He has all the traits of an epic ideal hero. He is courteous, brave and noble. Honor and duty are above all for him. The “Song” constantly emphasizes his extraordinary physical strength and attractiveness.
Plot
The "canticle" we talked about above is an epic medieval poem written by an unnamed author in the 12th-13th centuries. It is among the most famous epic writings of mankind. It tells about the relations of the Germanic tribes of the 5th century and about the desire to establish family ties with the Huns, who at that time were strengthened in Eastern Europe and threatened the banks of the Rhine.
The plot of the poem is based on the marriage of the Frankish legendary hero- “dragon slayer” Siegfried on the princess of Burgundy Kriemhild, his death due to Kriemhild’s quarrel with Brünnhilde, the wife of her brother Gunther. An important point Also, Kriemhild’s revenge, with the help of the ruler of the Huns, Etzel, on her fellow Burgundians for the liquidation of her first beloved husband, Siegfried. The catalyst for all actions is a mysterious third force in the person of the all-knowing and omnipresent villain Hagen.
Dragon Slayer
What are Siegfried's main exploits? In ancient times, Queen Sieglinde and King Sigmund ruled the lower Rhine, in the city of Xanten. They had a son, Siegfried. Since childhood, the boy was distinguished by strength, beauty and courage. Already in early years he showed unprecedented heroism.
One day young Siegfried came to visit the blacksmith Mima, an experienced old craftsman. He saw the master and his assistants working at the anvil, and wished to become a student of the venerable Mima. The blacksmith kept it with him. The next day, the blacksmith brought his newly minted pupil to the forge and ordered him to hit the workpiece with the heaviest hammer.
Siegfried fulfilled his wish, and the anvil went into the ground, and the red-hot workpiece shattered into pieces. The assistants were surprised, and the disgruntled blacksmith refused to train Siegfried. But the young man told the master that he would moderate his strength, and the blacksmith kept him with him.
Soon Siegfried began to quarrel with the apprentices, and the blacksmith regretted his decision. The assistants threatened to leave the forge if the newcomer remained. Then the owner decided to get rid of Siegfried. He sent him to the forest to prepare charcoal. And in the forest under the linden tree lived a mighty dragon. The master thought that the monster would swallow the young student.
And so Siegfried went into the forest and began to cut down trees. He did his job, lit the fire, and sat down on a stump and began to watch the fire. Suddenly, a huge monster with a huge mouth crawled out from under the roots. The dragon approached Siegfried and began to sniff. Siegfried immediately grabbed a burning tree from the fire and began to beat the dragon with it until it fell down dead.
Smoking dragon blood flowed in a stream. Siegfried dipped his finger into it and saw that the finger was so hardened that no sword could cut it. Then he undressed and bathed in this blood. Siegfried became all horny, with the exception of a small area between the shoulder blades on his back, where a linden leaf fell. Next, the young man got dressed and went to his parents’ castle.
Division
Let's consider another major feat of Siegfried. He did not stay at home, often traveled in search of adventures and performed many miracles, since he was very strong. One day Siegfried found himself in the forest, where he saw noble men carrying an impressive treasure out of a cave. These were the treasures of the Nibelungs. Siegfried had never seen such wealth before.
Schilbung and Nibelung - two kings were going to divide the treasure. Siegfried approached them. The kings greeted him and asked him to divide the treasure fairly. They had so much gold and precious stones that even a hundred carts could not carry them. As a reward, the kings gave Siegfried the sword Balmung, which belonged to the Nibelungs.
Siegfried began to divide the treasure, but each of the kings decided that he had been deprived. Before the knight had time to complete the section, the kings attacked him. But Siegfried destroyed the disputants with the glorious sword Belmung.
The powerful dwarf Alberich saw this. He decided to take revenge for the death of his masters. The dwarf had an invisibility cloak that gave the strength of twelve warriors. He threw it over himself and rushed at Siegfried. The knight defeated the dwarf in a fair fight, then took away his invisibility cloak and took all the treasures of the Nibelungs.
So Siegfried defeated the overseas knights, became the ruler of the land of the Nibelungs and the owner of their treasures. Siegfried ordered the treasure to be taken back to the cave, assigned the dwarf Alberich to guard it and took an oath from him to be a faithful servant.
Brunnhilde
So, you know what mythology says about Siegfried. Who is Brünnhilde? She is the heroine of Scandinavian-Germanic mythology. Brynhild or Brunnhilde (“duel”) is the most beautiful and warlike Valkyrie who challenged Odin: she gave victory in battle not to the one for whom God had prepared it. The Almighty, as punishment, put her into sleep and sent her to earth, where Brynhild had to sleep on Hindarfjall hill, surrounded by a wall of fire.
Only Sigurd (Siegfried in the German epic) could break through the raging flames, famous hero, who defeated the dragon Fafnir. What does the legend of Siegfried and Brünnhilde say next? Siegfried woke up the beautiful Brünnhilde and promised to marry her. He left the warlike beauty the ring of the dwarf Advari as collateral, not knowing that a curse hung over this ring.
The witch Grimhild gave Siegfried the nectar of oblivion, and he, forgetting about his bride, married the witch's daughter, the beautiful Gudrun (in German legends, Kriemhild). When his memory returned, Siegfried's heart was filled with sadness, shame and suffering.
Meanwhile, Kriemhilda's brother, the Burgundian king of the Burgundians (in German legends Gunther), wooed Brunhilda. But the Valkyrie vowed to marry the one who would pass through the wall of fire surrounding her, which only Siegfried could do.
Siegfried expressed his readiness to help Gunther. During the marriage test, he changed his appearance with Gunther and went through the fire in his place. Brünnhilde was forced to become Gunther's wife. When the deception was revealed, the embittered Brünnhilde demanded that her husband kill Siegfried. As a result, Gunther and his brother Hagen mortally wounded Siegfried while hunting. The traitor Hagen, aiming between the shoulder blades, threw a spear at the unarmed hero. He managed to get to exactly the place that had once been covered by a fallen linden leaf.
Dying on his deathbed, Siegfried called his beloved Brünnhilde to him. The beauty could not bear the remorse of conscience and killed herself in order to be with her lover even in the grave.
Only after death did Siegfried and Brünnhilde find peace in love, previously destroyed by vile intrigues. And the anathema of the dwarf Andvari, together with the ring received as an inheritance, passed on to Hagen and Gunther. Later, they both died a painful death, but the secrets of the ill-fated Nibelungen treasure were not revealed.
Symbolic meaning
Siegfried's slaying of the dragon Fafnir can be interpreted as the act of a culture hero defeating the forces of chaos. In a large number of legends that have a deep symbolic meaning, the dragon appears precisely in this meaning - a primeval enemy, the battle with which represents the highest test.
Thus, the patrons of chivalry, the holy archangel Michael and righteous George, are depicted at the moment when they kill the monster. The dragon symbolizes disasters that plague a person or country.
The plot, when Siegfried wakes up Brünnhilde, is a symbol of seeking out the path of the soul and freeing it from prison.
Legend Meaning
So, you already know the characteristics of Siegfried. The myth about him became one of the main texts for the Germans, and its different versions go back to the pagan period. For Germany, Siegfried is a cult figure. In the worldview of the people of this country, it is presented as the ideal of balance of body and spirit.
With the help of the legend of Siegfried, images were created that have become archetypal in world culture. Ancient German-Scandinavian legends in the 19th and 20th centuries occupied an important place in the cultural consciousness of Europeans and became its significant component.
Lavnichenko Maxim
Siegfried
Summary of the myth
Sigurd and Brunhild -
Arthur Rackham
Siegfried(German: Siegfried, Middle High: Sivrit) or Sigurd(Old Norse Sigurðr, from sigr - “victory”) is one of the most important heroes of German-Scandinavian mythology and epic.
Scandinavian and German epic works give different versions of the legend of Sigurd, reflecting the stages of its formation in oral tradition, in changing cultural and social conditions. IN general outline The myth of Sigurd can be retold as follows.
The sorcerer-blacksmith Regin, brother of the dragon Fafnir, guarding the cursed golden treasure of the dwarf Andvari, found the baby Siegfried in a glass vessel on the river bank and began to raise him. When Siegfried grew up, Regin forged the sword Balmung for the hero.
In the Edda the sword is called Gram. Before this sword was called Gram, it was called Barnstock, taken out, because. Sigmund (Siegfried's father) took it out of the tree trunk. According to another version, Siegfried himself found the fragments of his father’s sword and chained them.
Siegfried in Regina's forge
W. von Hanschild, 1880
The blacksmith told Siegfried about the dragon Fafnir, who guards the treasure. Regin incited the young man to kill the dragon, since he himself sought to take possession of the fatal wealth. To all of Regina's requests, Siegfried replied that he must first take revenge on the murderers of his father, and only then he could fight for the gold. Soon Siegfried avenged his father's death and, together with Regin, went to Mount Gnitaheid, where Fafnir lived. But they didn’t find the dragon there, but they saw its trail, which Fafnir left behind him, crawling to the watering hole. Then Siegfried decided to use a trick and dug a hole near the road along which Fafnir crawled. As Fafnir crawled back over the pit, Siegfried thrust a sword into his heart. Fafnir's blood fell on his tongue, and he began to understand the language of birds. This is how he learned about the blacksmith’s plan to kill him. Some sources mention that Siegfried washed himself in the blood of a dragon and became invulnerable. But when he washed himself in Fafnir’s blood, a linden leaf stuck to his shoulder blade, and this became his weak spot - hence the expression “horny Siegfried.” Then, having killed his “foster father” and stolen Fafnir’s treasure, the hero ended up on the top of Hindarfjall hill, where the Valkyrie Brunhild, surrounded by fire shields, rested, put to sleep by Odin for giving victory in the battle to someone who was not intended by God.
Having awakened the Valkyrie, Siegfried received wise advice from her and became engaged to her. Then the hero came to the kingdom of the Burgundians, where the mother of King Gunnar (Gunther), Grimhild, gave him the drink of oblivion to drink. Siegfried forgets about his bride and marries Grimhild's daughter, the beautiful Gudrun (Kriemhild).
The murder of Siegfried while hunting - drawing by S. Borin
Meanwhile, Gunnar wooed Brunhilda. But the Valkyrie vowed to marry only the one who would overcome the fire surrounding her, and only Siegfried could do this. Siegfried agreed to help Gunnar. During the marriage test, the hero changed his appearance with Gunnar and went through the fire in his place. Brunhild was forced to marry Gunnar. But later, when the deception was revealed, the angry Brunhilda demanded that her husband kill Sigurd. Instigated by his wife, who wanted to restore her honor, and also wanting to take possession of Siegfried's treasure, Gunnar and his brother Hogni (Hagen) mortally wounded Sigurd while hunting.
On his deathbed, dying, Sigurd called to his beloved Brunhild. Unable to bear the remorse of her conscience, Brunhilda committed suicide so that at least in the grave she could be with her loved one.
Images and symbols of myth
Siegfried challenges to a fight
Konstantin Vasiliev
Siegfried represents the ideal image of a beautiful hero who is destined for an early death (just like Gilgamesh, Achilles, Cuchulainn). At the same time, Siegfried’s involuntary guilt is interpreted as a consequence of evil fate. Ancient heroic ballads depict him as the conqueror of giants and dragons. Stories about young hero, which is endowed with “sunny” features, imbued with magic; his life ends as a result of heinous atrocities, but he finds revenge through the cunning actions of his widow. Siegfried is endowed with all the features of an ideal epic hero. He is noble, brave, courteous. Duty and honor are above all for him. The authors of the "Song of the Nibelungs" emphasize his extraordinary attractiveness and physical strength. His very name, consisting of two parts (Sieg - victory, Fried - peace), expresses the national German identity at the time of medieval strife.
In the rootlessness of Siegfried it is permissible to see a relic of ideas about the hero-ancestor, the “first man.”
Sword, As a rule, symbolizes spiritual activity, or the courage of the hero, a broken sword serves as a symbol of the same qualities in a state of destruction. However, like the “buried sword,” it more often appears in medieval legends as an inheritance that must be won through personal valor. Thus, in his youth, Siegfried finds the fragments of Balmung's sword, which Odin was said to have given to his father.
Interesting and image of Fafnir's treasure. According to legend, the treasure went to Fafnir after he killed his own father Hreidmar, and the latter received it from the Aesir (gods) as a ransom for Hreidmar’s son, Otr, who was killed by them. The Ases obtained these treasures from the dwarf Andvari, and he placed a curse on the gold: it will destroy anyone who owns it. Thus, the magical means of abundance - the treasures of dwarfs and gods - turns into fatal wealth, bringing misfortune to its owners.
Sigurd defeats the dragon
Fafnira. Wood carving
Norway, XII century
Siegfried's main feat was the slaying of the dragon Fafnir. This feat can be interpreted as the act of a culture hero defeating the forces of chaos. In a large number of legends with deep symbolic meaning, the dragon appears precisely in this meaning - a primeval enemy, the battle with which is the ultimate test. Thus, the patron saints of chivalry - St. George and St. Archangel Michael are depicted just at the moment when they kill the monster. Dragons symbolize disasters plaguing a country or a person.
Mythological in origin, the plot of Siegfried waking Brunchhilde (the story of Sleeping Beauty) appears in pagan and Christian legends and in books about knights errant.
Brunnhilde frame
from the movie "The Ring"
Nibelungs"
Can be found a large number of examples of the liberation of girls by knights, which was considered perhaps their main mission. The plot is a symbol of the search for the spiritual path and its liberation from captivity.
In modern times, the Valkyrie Brunhilda has gained particular fame, who plays a tragic role in the “Song of the Nibelungs”, leading to the death of the hero who invisibly fought for King Gunther. In the German epic, Brunhild acts as the ruler of the fairy-tale country of Iceland, where marriage trials take place. Brunhild is the image of a strong woman.
Image of Kriemhild(Gudrun) can be described as the ideal of femininity. She has not only physical beauty, but also tall moral qualities. Consequently, in the image of Kriemhild we see a reflection of the cult of the “Beautiful Lady”, which is characteristic feature knightly romance.
Communicative means of creating images and symbols
The exploits of Sigurd. Fragment of a runic stone from the 11th century. from Upland (Sweden)
The main means of transmitting the myth of Siegfried was the Old Norse epic. The exploits of Siegfried are sung in the songs of the Elder Edda (“The Prophecy of Gripir”, “The Speeches of Regin”, “The Speeches of Fafnir”), his death is described in the “Excerpt of the Song of Sigurd”, “The First Song of Gudrun”, “A Short Song of Sigurd” , “Brynhild’s Journey to Hel” (“Elder Edda”). The Prose Edda, the Volsunga Saga, the Thidrek Saga and Scandinavian medieval ballads tell about Sigurd. Siegfried is also the central character of the first part of the German “Song of the Nibelungs”; he is also mentioned in Middle High German epic poetry, in the “Song of the Horned Siegfried”.
Despite the fact that the image of Sigurd is most likely completely fictional, in Iceland he is revered as a real hero. The modern Icelandic historian Einar Olgeirsson in his book “From the Past of the Icelandic People” writes: “To this day, every Icelander can easily trace his family back to Sigurd.”
Siegfried kills Favnir -
monument in Bremen
One more important means The transmission of the myth was traditional Scandinavian wood and stone carvings depicting scenes of Siegfried's exploits. There was also an oral form of transmission of the myth with the help of minnesingers and truvères - poets who sang the exploits of the glorious Siegfried.
There are also modern communication means that convey the myth of Siegfried. So in Germany, in the city of Worms, a museum named after Siegfried was opened. His image is depicted in many literary works, films and painting. Composer Richard Wagner used the epic in his opera tetralogy, The Ring of the Nibelung. His motives are reflected in Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.
Blond, with blue eyes, Siegfried found his place among the idols of the German nationalist forces. Back in 1755, when the manuscript of the “Song of the Nibelungs” was found, it was elevated to the rank of “Iliad of the North,” which brought back “German glory.” When Prussian troops entered Paris in 1871, Chancellor Bismarck was called two parts of Siegfried's name "Siege - Fried", i.e. "victory is peace." First world war On the instructions of Kaiser Wilhelm II, a defensive strip, the Siegfried Line, was built on the border with France, improved by Hitler in 1936-39. For the Nazis, Siegfried the Hun was a symbol of the superiority of the German race over other peoples.
Social significance of the myth
The exploits of Sigurd
Wood carving
Portal of the Church of the 12th century.
in Urnes (Norway)
Of course, the myth of Siegfried became one of the most important texts for the Germans, and its various options go back to the pagan era. For Germany, Siegfried is a cult figure. In the German worldview, Siegfried is the ideal of balance between spirit and body.
The “Elder Edda” and “Younger Edda,” which describe the exploits of Siegfried, became great cultural monuments of the Icelanders, whose work preserved the most ancient traditions of the peoples of Northern Europe to the world.
In the art of Scandinavia, the image of Sigurd found its vivid artistic embodiment. In Norway, wood carving has always been an important means of artistic expression. Thus, many fragments of wood carvings in the Scandinavian style depicting the exploits of Sigurd have survived to this day.
It should be noted that with the help of the myth of Siegfried, images were formed that have become archetypal in world culture. Ancient German-Scandinavian legends in the 19th and 20th centuries. took an important place in European cultural consciousness and became a significant component of it.
I learned about Germany gradually, over the years. First, books with funny pictures and poems about Fritz and Maurice, at school foreign language was German. Then the war when it began to evoke completely different feelings. And later Heine, Goethe, Schiller, and much later the books of Remarque, Behl, Segers. That's probably all. And only over many years of residence did Germany become clearer and revealed from different sides. And since the article has some literary bias, I’ll just note that I was attracted to German folklore. Of course, all fairy tales are similar and there is a theory about the origin of their plots from India. But the Germanic sagas have their own flavor.
In previous issues I introduced you to the Swan Knight and Lorelei. I want to finish this today small cycle the legend of Siegfried.
"Song of the Nibelungs"
The largest monument of the German heroic epic is the “Song of the Nibelungs”. It is based on the tales of Germanic tribes about ancient events that took place during the era of the Migration of Peoples. The historical basis of the poem was the death The Burgundian state, devastated by the Huns.
The legend consists of two parts: the first describes the exploits of Siegfried (I’ll tell you only about a few) and his death, and the second describes the revenge of the hero’s widow.
According to legend, Siegfried son king of the country on the lower Rhine; Since childhood, he was distinguished by extraordinary courage, strength and dexterity. As a young man, Siegfried set off to wander the world. One day he hired himself as a helper in a forge. But from the blows of his hammer, the anvil half went into the ground, and he easily broke the forged weapon with his hands. The blacksmith was afraid of such an assistant and decided to get rid of him. He sent Siegfried to the forest, to the swamp, for firewood, knowing that a terrible snake lived there.
But the young man killed the monster. A lot of blood gushed out and a whole lake began to flow. Siegfried stuck his finger into the blood and felt it harden. And when he ran it along the ax blade, he not only felt no pain, but there were no scratches left on the skin. Siegfried undressed and plunged headlong into the blood of the snake. The prince became invulnerable to any weapon. But he didn’t notice that a leaf that had fallen from a linden tree was stuck to his back between his shoulder blades. And this place remained unwashed (remembered the Achilles heel?).
Siegfried did not return to the forge and went on to wander further. Soon he found himself in the magical land of the Nibelungs. Two giants, possessing immeasurable strength and possessing enormous wealth, were dividing the goods at just that time. They turned to Siegfried for help, and so that he would not refuse, they presented him with a wonderful sword. The prince divided the treasures, but not the way each of them wanted. Then the debaters attacked the young man in rage, but he killed them with the sword he gave him. And then he fought off the guardian of wealth who attacked him, taking possession of his invisibility helmet. Siegfried became the owner of a wonderful sword, a magic helmet and untold riches. He left them underground under the supervision of the dwarf Albericht.
Princesses from Burgundy and Iceland
In ancient times, the German Burgundian tribe settled on the banks of the Rhine and founded a kingdom with its capital in the city of Worms. The state was ruled by three brothers - Gunther, Gernot and Giselcher. And they had a beautiful sister, Kriemhild. She rejected all suitors because she believed in the prophecy: she would have a glorious husband who would die untimely.
Siegfried heard about the beauty of the princess, but before getting married, he decided to make sure the rumor was true and went to Burgundy. He was received with honor, and when the Saxons attacked the country, the knight came out with his hospitable brother kings. The brave warrior fought alongside the Burgundian army and helped win the victory.
But during the whole year of his stay as a guest, Siegfried was never able to look at Kriemhild. And only when the end of the war was celebrated, the mother of the kings and sister were invited to the table. The young people saw each other. And Siegfried thought - if she does not love me, then I will die. And Kriemhild’s heart beat sweetly, feeling reciprocal love. Mother and brothers agreed to the marriage. But Gunther asked Siegfried to do him one favor first.
The king had long wanted to get married. In the Rhine countries they knew about the beauty of the Icelandic mistress Brunhild. She was not an ordinary girl: she surpassed any man in strength, dexterity and courage, and she invited those who dared to ask for her hand to enter into a competition with her. The aliens who failed to defeat the hostess faced an inglorious death. Gunther wanted to woo the proud queen, but was not confident in his abilities and asked Siegfried to help him.
They equipped the ship, and after a few days of travel it reached the rocky northern island, where the proud Brunhilda lived. Siegfried, dressed as a simple knight, introduced the King of the Burgundians: “He has come to ask for your hand.” The maiden looked at the groom with a grin: “My conditions are as follows - we throw spears at each other; then we will throw stones and jump after them - whoever is further. If you emerge victorious, own Iceland and me. But if you fail, death awaits you.”
The test hour was set. The warlike maiden put on armor, took a shield, and three servants brought her a spear - it was so heavy. Siegfried whispered to Gunther: “Don’t be afraid, I will help you.” He put on the invisibility helmet and followed to the battlefield. Brunhilda threw her spear with such force that it should have pierced Gunther right through. But Siegfried put his shield under attack, and then raised his spear and threw it back, but not with the tip, but with the blunt end. It hit the strong armor, Brunhilda swayed and could barely stand on her feet. She got angry, grabbed a huge stone, raised it above herself and, throwing it, jumped after her. Siegfried did not lag behind: the hero’s boulder flew much further. Then the invisible knight picked up the groom and jumped with him, again defeating the warlike maiden. Tears flowed from the beauty’s eyes - Burgundy’s victory was undeniable.
From now on, Iceland and Brunhild belonged to Gunther. The court magnificently celebrated two weddings at once: Gunther married Brunhild, and Siegfried married the desired Kriemhild, to whom he presented all the gold of the Nibelungs for the wedding.
The Taming of the Shrew
The next morning, Gunther complained to Siegfried that he had been tied up by Brunhilda and had been hanging on a hook in the bedroom all night. Only in the morning did she free him. We will teach the shrew a lesson, said Siegfried. When evening came, the newlyweds retired to the bedchamber, and after them Siegfried entered, covered with a magic hat. The virgin turned off the lights and again wanted to tie her husband. Suddenly powerful arms grabbed her and threw her onto the bed. Brunhilda fought fiercely, became exhausted and admitted defeat. The king rejoiced, and Siegfried quietly left the palace, taking the magic belt and ring from the queen. Now deprived of magical powers, Brunhilda has lost her fabulous power.
Ten happy years have passed. And everything would have been fine, but one day before the morning service Brunhild and Kriemhild had an argument - which of them should be the first to enter the temple. The wife of the King of Burgundy (it was in Worms) claimed this, considering Siegfried her vassal. Kriemhild could not bear the insult and told her sister-in-law what had really happened during the competition and in the bedroom. Anger and shame gripped Brunhild, and she demanded an explanation from Gunther and Siegfried.
Wanting to save the honor of his brother-in-law, our hero said that Kriemhild had lied. The scandal stopped, but from then on Gunther had no peace, and he decided to kill Siegfried so that their common secret would die with him. He chose the treacherous Hagen von Tronje, a loyal vassal of the Burgundian kings, as his assistant in this evil deed.
The villain cunningly learned from Kriemhild Siegfried's weak spot. And soon Gunther called him and Hagen to hunt. Before they left, Kriemhild began to cry and said to her husband: “I beg you, don’t go hunting today! Last night I dreamed that two boars tore you to pieces in the forest. My heart senses that something bad will happen to you.” But Siegfried replied: “Don’t worry! Friends cannot wish me harm, and I am not afraid of wild animals.” The hunters shot a lot of game, and then settled down to rest and have lunch. And then it turned out that they had plenty of food, but nothing to quench their thirst. After all, the servants carried out the king’s secret order (at Hagen’s prompting) - not to take any wine or other drink with them.
And then Gunther said: “Since our servants have made such a mistake, we will have to drink water from the stream. It's good that it flows very close. Let's have a competition to see which of us can get there the fastest." And all three rushed off. Siegfried arrived at the stream before his rivals, laid his armor on the grass and, bending over the stream, fell down to the water. Then Hagen stealthily took Siegfried's spear and thrust it with all his might between the shoulder blades. Having accomplished an evil deed, Hagen rushed to run. Siegfried fell to the ground, the flowers that grew around turned scarlet from his blood.
It was announced to everyone that the brave Siegfried had died while hunting from boar tusks. Kriemhild wept sadly over her husband's body. She guessed that his wound was inflicted not by a boar, but by a human hand, and Siegfried was killed by her brother and Hagen. From that moment on, nothing remained in Kriemhild’s soul except grief, hatred and the thirst for revenge. Siegfried was buried in a monastery near Worms, and Kriemhild began to live in one of the cells to be closer to the dear grave. The widow's brothers took possession of her wealth, and Hagen hid it at the bottom of the Rhine.
Revenge of the Hero's Widow
One day an embassy from the country of the Huns arrived in Worms. Their leader was widowed and now asked to give him Kriemhild as his wife. The kings began to persuade their sister to accept the offer. At first she flatly refused, but later she reasoned that, having become the wife of a powerful Hun, she would gain power and strength to take revenge on the murderers of the unforgettable Siegfried, and agreed. Several years passed, and one day Kriemhild said to her husband: “I haven’t seen my brothers for a long time and I want them to come and visit us.” Messengers were immediately equipped. Kriemhild ordered to tell the kings that they would certainly take Hagen with them. He immediately suspected that Kriemhild’s invitation did not bode well and tried to persuade the brother kings not to go, but to no avail. Taking with them a thousand soldiers, the invitees set off and the Burgundians arrived to the Huns.
Kriemhild greeted the brothers and Hagen with a friendly smile. The guests rested from the road and then sat down with their hosts at the table for a feast. Kriemhild gave a sign, and the Huns with swords attacked the newcomers. A battle ensued, and the walls trembled from warlike cries, rivers of blood flowed across the floor. All the Burgundian warriors and younger brother kings died.
Gunther and Hagen were captured and brought before Kriemhild. She said: “The time has come to pay you back for the death of the noble Siegfried.” She ordered the Huns to immediately kill Gunther, and when this was done, she took Siegfried’s sword from Hagen and cut off his head with her own hand. Knight Hilderbrandt, who was not a Hun, but served with them, exclaimed indignantly: “Oh, woe! There is no excuse for a woman to raise her hand against a Warrior. Let me bring trouble upon myself, but the daring will not go unpunished!” With these words, he struck Kriemhild with his sword. She fell dead on the floor, covered in blood. Thus the line of the Burgundian kings ended, and the gold of the Nibelungs remained at the bottom of the Rhine.
Note for tourists
Siegfried is the most popular hero of legends in Germany. The tourist route (Siegfriedstrasse), stretching from Worms through Lorsch to Wertheim, streets and squares in many cities, as well as societies, companies, etc. are named after him. In a number of places there are sculptures and high reliefs of Siegfried and the heroes of the stories. The Nibelungen Museum is open in Wormse, and in Grasselenbache local historians showed us the place where Siegfried was killed. True, it later turned out that other guides showed the same thing in at least two other places. Let's not blame them, because today there are no living witnesses to this drama.
In the morning, Gunther and Hagen cheerfully went into the forest to poison the wild beast. The Burgundians carried a lot of food supplies with them. Without any fears, Siegfried also got ready to set off. He went to say goodbye to his wife; Kriemhild’s heart was restless. She was afraid to admit to her husband that she had revealed his secret to Hagen. The queen's soul was tormented by heavy forebodings. She told her husband that she had had a bad dream and tried to persuade him not to go hunting. Siegfried reassured his wife, promising to return soon alive and well. He said goodbye and hurried after his brother-in-law. Kriemhild never had a chance to see him alive again.
The sovereign Gunther took with him the entire flower of the country, only Gernot and young Giselcher were absent - fun was not on the minds of the two younger kings. Having learned from those close to him that his son-in-law had arrived, the ruler of the Burgundians ordered the hunt to begin. Hagen advised the hunters to split up and hunt one by one, then, they say, let's see who was the luckiest of all. The King of the Netherlands took with him only a skilled hunter and one hound. Siegfried served as an example to everyone in every matter. The game raised by his dog never escaped the well-aimed blow of the knight. He was the first to lay down the prey that morning, and luck was with him all day. The hunters even joked that there would be no game left for them. All the heroes shot a lot of animals, but none of them could compare with the Dutchman. It's time to return to a rest stop to replenish your strength. Siegfried also hurried to the sound of the horn calling the hunters. On the way he came across a bear. The hero caught him alive, tied him to the saddle and brought him to the camp. There he released the beast into freedom. The bear caused a big commotion at the halt, only Siegfried managed to overtake him in the wilderness and kill him with a sword. The Burgundians were amazed to see such strength and dexterity. Then the owner invited the hunters to the table. Gunther arranged a feast for the guests on the green meadow. The treat was a great success, but, due to malicious intent, no wine was served. Siegfried noticed this and told his brother-in-law. With hypocritical regret, the king answered him that the wine would have to be replaced with something, since through Hagen’s fault the convoy with drink was sent to another place. The cunning vassal confirmed the words of his master and invited the Dutch king to show the way to a stream with icy water. Brave Siegfried was completely exhausted by thirst, so he hastened to accept Hagen’s advice. The animals that Sigmund's son managed to shoot were ordered to be sent on carts to the capital. Everyone who saw the prey praised the hunter. On the way to the stream, Hagen suggested that Siegfried check which of them could reach the goal faster. He agreed to the competition. Gunther and his vassal fled like two panthers, but the Dutchman still won, although he fled in armor. Kriemhild's valiant husband was barely alive from thirst, but he kindly gave the Burgundian knight a drink first. The brave man was poorly rewarded for his politeness. As soon as Siegfried leaned towards the spring, Hagen took his sword and bow away, grabbed the hero’s spear and aimed at the cross on his clothes. Here the Dutchman scooped up water with his hand, and the vengeful vassal threw a spear at him. It went right to the knight’s heart, blood from the wound sprayed out onto Hagen. As soon as the wounded hero realized what was wrong with him, he tried to find his weapon in order to punish the traitor with death. Hagen had never run away from anyone so quickly in his life. Due to the serious wound, Siegfried did not find the sword, but managed to throw his shield at the killer. The villain fell to the ground from such a powerful blow; if the Dutchman had had a sword, the traitor would have come to an end. Even before his death, the son of Sigmund was powerful. But then he staggered, suddenly weakened, the hero’s eyes dimmed, and death put its stamp on his brow. He fell on the grass, but, dying, managed to curse his killers. The brave Siegfried said: “Since you have repaid my services and loyalty in this way, shame and eternal shame await your entire family. My blood will be on you and your children."
Then hunters came running to him, every honest knight shed tears for the brave hero. The Burgundian king also began to mourn him. But the wounded man said: “What good is it for the culprit of evil to shed tears about his crime? Feigned sorrow will not hide shameful deeds.” Said the cruel Hagen: “Now there is nothing to mourn. From now on, not a single fighter is dangerous to us. I am glad that I delivered my king from this proud man." Siegfried said barely audibly: “Now it’s easy to boast! If I had known about the betrayal, I would have swept you off the face of the earth long ago. But now I only have to think about the fate of my wife and son. If there is at least a drop of honesty left in you, king, I beg you to take care of Kriemhild and be her protection and support in everything.” After this, the hero’s earthly days came to an end.
When everyone was convinced that he was sleeping in eternal sleep, they laid Siegfried on a gilded shield, and the Burgundians began to think about how they could cheat to hide Hagen’s crime. The nobles decided to say that the Dutchman loved to hunt alone, got lost in the forest and was killed by robbers. Hagen himself volunteered to take the corpse. He wanted the proud Kriemhild to know everything. Siegfried's wife dared to offend the honor of the Burgundian queen, and the vengeful vassal did not want to spare her.
Based on a retelling of “The Song of the Nibelungs” by A. Chanturia
