submitted by Duchan Caudill
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Toward the end of the twelfth century and the beginning of the thirteenth century, in an age where the literature of the German High Middle Ages blossomed, there appeared an epic, which is considered to be the most famous and best-known literary achievement of that era: "The Nibelungenlied" ("Song of the Nibelungen").
I read A.T. Hatto's prose translation (Penguin Classics) of a work that, in the German version, consists of about 2,400 stanzas of verse. Before this work was written down by an anonymous author, it underwent hundreds of years of an oral passing on, so that the original story was most likely exposed to a metamorphosis. Indeed, the author himself projected the song's sixth to eighth century setting to a contemporary setting, thus falsifying the original setting.
The verses of the epic were set to music, but it's difficult to imagine that the melody or melodies will be reconstructed. "The Nibelungenlied" consists of 39 chapters, and the further a reader proceeds, the more he or she will become attached to a story, which begins at a moderate pace and develops into that caliber of a book, which is difficult to forget.
Heroic, betrayed Siegfried; radiantly beautiful and vengeful Kriemhild; imposing, cold Queen Brunhild; scheming and traitorous Hagen--these individuals are memorable characters. Added to the mix is the fabric of mythology, of legend, of history, of customs (chivalry and retribution), and of love and hate. Your curiosity will be richly rewarded.
The author's attitude toward the characters indicates a lack of favoritism. Fatalism dictates the song's progress. There is an abundant use of hyperbole and of strong dramatic element.
Throughout artistic and cultural history, "The Nibelungenlied" has impacted on its readership. For example, the German composer Richard Wagner created an adaptation of the song, which he called "Der Ring der Nibelungen" ("The Ring of the Nibelungen"), an operatic feat of world renown. Much more controversial than the Wagnerian adaptation is the fact that, during the time of the German Third Reich (1933–1945), Siegfried, the song's hero par excellence, served as an ideal to be emulated by soldiers. (Siegfried seemingly enjoys combat).
As for the title of the work, it has been suggested that it was taken from the last line of the final stanza. But to clarify the meaning of "Nibelungen": they were a race of dwarves, who hoarded an immense treasure of gold and jewels. The treasure, so legend claims, was lowered into the Rhine. And yet, isn't this book the real treasure? It most certainly is.
