The Lament of the Nibelungen

by Winder McConnell

Appended to most of the major manuscripts of the German national epic poem, the Nibelungenlied, the Diu Klage (Lament) is the first known commentary on this great thirteenth-century poem. Composed in rhyming couplets, the 4360-verse Klage describes the aftermath of the debacle at the court of Attila the Hun and the manner in which news of the catastrophe is carried back to the land of the Burgundians. The poet attempts a fascinating reconciliation of Christianity with a pre-Christian ethos (revenge = loyalty = a place in heaven). Of particular note in this regard is the pro-Kriemhild stance of the Klage's author and the concern demonstrated for continuity at the Burgundian court. The present translation (based on Manuscript B in St Gallen) will provide English-speaking readers with the first opportunity to acquaint themselves with the commentary.

Genres: German Literature

232 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Klage is appended to most manuscripts of the Nibelungenlied and tells of the aftermath of the apocalyptic battle at the end of the Nibelungenlied. The survivors Dietrich, Hildebrand, Attila and the Burgundians left in Worms discuss the questions of guilt, lament the fallen and bury the dead.

The poem is thought to date from the around the years 1210-30 and can be divided into four sections. The first is a summery of events in the Nibelunenlied and who is to be held responsible for the slaughter. Kriemhild is absolved of all responsibility, her revenge is justified because of her true loyalty to her first husband, Siegfried. The second part cover Etzel's laments on the discovery of the dead and their burial. The third section covers the minstrel Swimmells journey to the lands of Rudigar and Worms to spread the news of events in Hunland. On his arrival in Worms, Ute dies of grief and Brunhild crowns her son king of Worms. In the final section of the poem Dietrich, his wife and Hildebrand prepare to leave Etzel's court and head back to retake Bern. It next describes how Bishop Pilgrim as the story of the fall of the Fall of the Burgundians written down in Latin by his scribe, Master Konrad. The poem ends with the statement that no one knows what happened to Etzel after the departure of the Amelungs.

Winder McConnell gives a very good introduction to this obscure poem, the Middle High German text and a great English translation of the poem.

[Mike Bright · Rating 3 out of 5]

My previous book was the text of the Nibelungenlied, so I wanted to read something else about the text. McConnell's book was interesting, but didn't quite hit the spot I was looking for. McConnell seems to want to walk the line between an academic literature study (there are lots of technical discussions and academic references) and a generally available critique of the work (there is lots of non-technical content). I am an academic, but on the engineering/science side, so the technical aspects of literature are not particularly interesting. Also, I have no background in the German middle ages or in German as a language, so much of the book was not useful. I liked the generally available portions, but wanted a bit more on that end.

So it is a fine book, just not the one I was looking for. If you wanted to begin an academic study of the Nibelungenlied, this is probably a good place to start.

[Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best short and cheap introduction to the Nibelunenlied written in English. The first chapter is an introduction to the cultural background of the poem. Other chapters analyse key characters, style and structure and the reception of the epic in Germany. Also includes two appendices on Norse versions of the legend and the metre of the poem. This book is an ideal starting point for anyone wishing to know more about the Nibelungenlied.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

When venturing into new literature sometimes it is best to read an introduction first. This book serves this purpose. It is like Cliff notes on steroids. The authors introduces us the themes of the book then to all the major players and finally place it in historical context both from the High Middle
Ages and now. It is a perfect way to begin a new path in literature.