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Brunhild
(mythology)
Brunhild
(mythology), in Germanic mythology and literature, a beautiful,
powerful princess and warrior. Her story is recorded in
the 13th-century Eddaic poems and Volsunga Saga
of Iceland and in the medieval German epic poem the
Nibelungenlied (circa 1200).
In the Icelandic writings, she is called Brynhild; she is
Brünnehilde in the German composer Richard Wagner's opera
cycle The Ring of the Nibelungs, based in part on these
legends.
In
the Nibelungenlied, Brunhild is a belligerent queen of Iceland
who swears to marry the man who can better her in combat.
Siegfried is able to defeat her, but wins her for another,
Gunther. Despising Siegfried for his deception, she takes
vengeance by arranging his death.
In
Icelandic sources this character, called Brynhild, is delivered
from eternal sleep by Sigurd, who crosses a wall of fire
that encircles her. They become engaged, but Sigurd resumes
his travels. Later, a magic potion causes him to forget
Brynhild and marry Gudrun instead. He then aids Gudrun's
brother Gunnar in his suit of Brynhild, by disguising himself
as Gunnar. Discovering the deception, Brynhild brings about
Sigurd's death, but is so grief stricken by the news of
it that she takes her own life on his funeral pyre.
"Brunhild
(mythology),"Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia
2001 http://encarta.msn.com
© 1997-2000 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
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