Nibelungenlied
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˈniːbəˌlʊŋɡənˌliːd/
- Literature
- The Nibelungenlied is considered one of the greatest works of medieval German literature.
- Hagen in the Nibelungenlied
Examples
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The nature of eddic poetry, with its penchant for duologues, means the poets relied upon a small cast of characters, especially when compared to an epic like the Nibelungenlied.
Academic text (2018) -
Much critical attention has been paid to the character of Hagen in the Nibelungenlied, and much ink has been spilt in various attempts to reconcile the murderer of the early part of the poem with the heroic warrior of the latter adventures.
Academic text (2018) -
In contrast, Hagen is closely bound up with the treasure in the Nibelungenlied.
Academic text (2018) -
As in the Nibelungenlied, Hgni's relationship with Gunnarr is dominated by the giving of counsel.
Academic text (2018) -
Whilst he cuts a heroic figure, he is not the hero of the piece, as Hagen may be construed in the latter half of the Nibelungenlied.
Academic text (2018) -
This debate is, however, largely confined to the analysis of the B-version of the Nibelungenlied, which contains the most nuanced and ambiguous presentation of Hagen's character.
Academic text (2018) -
This is especially significant since it is the slaying of Siegfried that acts as the defining moment for Hagen in the Nibelungenlied, cementing his "dark" reputation in later scholarship.
Academic text (2018) -
One could include Hagen in this number in the Nibelungenlied and Þiþreks saga, in both of which he displays the supernatural element so necessary for a "dark figure."
Academic text (2018) -
Throughout the Poetic Edda, Hgni is single-mindedly committed to serving the interests of King Gunnarr in a manner reminiscent of Hagen in the Nibelungenlied.
Academic text (2018) -
Definite pronouncements upon this issue cannot be made, and I would only suggest that the character of Hagen of Troneg was deeply rooted by the time the Nibelungenlied came to be recorded, with a legendary history centered around his youth at the court of King Etzel, while Hgni in the Poetic Edda is less so.
Academic text (2018)
Surface Forms
Etymology
Nibelungenlied means 'song of the Nibelungs'. The name Nibelung comes from Nebel meaning 'mist' and -lied means 'song', so you can think of it as the 'song of the people of the mist', which helps you remember it is an old epic poem about mysterious clans, treasure and tragic events.