1. Sigurd the Volsung A Norse Epic Hero

2. Nibelungen Lied Oldest myth of the Teutonic race Separated into four major parts –Das Rhinegold: The history of the treasure –Siegfried: The story of our hero’s father –Die Walkure: the story of the valkyrie Byrnhilde –Gotterdammerung: where all of the stories come together Based on massive treasure hoard –Gold and precious stones obtained from the Nibelungs

4. The Races within the Drama Gods – noblest and highest race Giants – great and strong race, but lack wisdom and hate anything noble Dwarfs (nibelungs) – black, uncouth pygmies, who hate good and the Gods, crafty and cunning

5. Races continued Nymphs – pure, innocent creatures Valkyries – children of the gods, mingled with mortal blood, gather dead heroes Heroes – children of the gods, mingled with mortal blood, destined to become at last the highest race of all, will eventually succeed the gods

7. The Desired Originally a hoard of gold was guarded by the Rhine river nymphs. Andvari, the dwarf, forswears love and gains this gold. Andvarimakes the gold into a magic ring which gives him all power and the ability to gather treasure.

8. Does this ring sound familiar?

9. Norse Rings In Norse legend, this ring is called Draupnir. There are nine sacred rings of power according to Norse legend, all of them forged by dwarves.

10. Three rings for the Elven-kings under the sky, Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone, Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die, One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne, In the land of Mordor where the Shadows lie. One ring to rule them all, One ring to find them, One ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.

12. Building of Valhalla Odin hired the giants to build Valhalla, promising Freya as payment. Gods realize that Freya is the source of their youth. Loki steals the magic ring and treasure, but not before Andvaricurses it.

13. The Payment The gods give the magic ring and treasure to the giants where the curse begins. Otter is killed by Odin, wergild Fafnir, the giant, kills his brother to gain the ring and transforms himself into a dragon to guard his wealth

14. Symbolism of Ring A ring, or circle, is a symbol of power. However, this circle has both good and evil contained within. Consider other circular symbols of power. The circle is also sometimes a symbol of feminine power.

16. Symbolism of the Dragon Dragons are a symbol of greed in northern countries. They are a symbol of luck in the eastern countries

18. The God’s Regret Odin still covets the ring, but he has given his word to never posses it. Odin has a plan to circumvent this oath: creating a hero-race to recover the ring and treasure –The first two members (twins!) of this new race are Siegmund (later known as Sigmund) and Sieglinda.

20. Siegmund’s First Fault After Sieglinda is abducted and married, Siegmund finds her and unknowingly sleeps with his sister but wins Nothung, the great sword. Brunhild, the chief Valkyrie, is ordered by Wotan to slay Siegmund for his sin. She disobeys, but Sieglinda’s husband slays him.

21. Notes Remember that Brynhild is a daughter of Odin. The betrayal of a father by a daughter for love is a common motif.

23. Hiding in the Forest Sieglinda, pregnant with Siegmund’s child, is saved by Brunhild and hidden in the forest. Brunhild is punished by transformation into a mortal woman, left to sleep in a castle with a circular wall of fire.

24. Notes Sigurd (sometimes spelled Siegfried) is born and raised by his stepfather. The orphaned hero is a common motif. While the mother is alive, it is the father who should train the young hero.

26. Symbolism of the Forest Throughout time, the forest is seen as a place of mystery. It is secretive, threatening in its unknown depths, but a refuge from the evils of man.

28. The Mentor Figure The story then picks up as Siegfried (in some versions Sigurd) is reaching adulthood. His mentor, Regin (in some versions Mime), teaches Siegfried how to fight and think. Regin pricks Siegfried’s greed and tells him of the treasure of Fafnir.

29. Remaking the Sword Since Regin is a blacksmith, Siegfried asks him to make a sword able to defeat Fafnir. After two tries, when the new sword fails, Siegfried asks for the pieces of his father’s sword. The new sword is then named Gram.

31. The Tests Siegfried dreams of the golden hoard and eventually works with Regin on a plan to slay Fafnir the Dragon. Siegfried digs a hole and lies in wait for the Dragon to come along his normal walk …. But WAIT

32. How to Survive the Task Siegfried thinks about how the blood gushing out of Fafnir will drown him. Siegfried digs several holes for the blood to drain and a passage for escape.

34. Power of Blood Blood is the life force. Man has shared blood, making fellow warriors brothers in blood. Woman experience the pain of blood each month, but it is also a signal of future life. Even now, we test the pulse as an indicator of health.

35. Regin’s Betrayal As Regin sees Siegfried alive and the Dragon Fafnir, he screams with fury. Regin renames Gram Fafnir’s Bane and asks Siegfried to cut out and roast Fafnir’s heart for him to eat and gain his wisdom.

36. The Song of the Birds Siegfried wanders into the forest as the heart is roasting and hears the birds. Literally!!! Due to tasting the Dragon’s blood, Siegfried can now understand the song of the birds and he learns of Regin’s betrayal.

38. The Next Task Siegfried also hears the birds talk about the House of Flame where the wisest, bravest, most beautiful woman in the world sleeps. Siegfried kills Regin and finds the heart burnt completely.

39. Brynhild Eventually, Siegfried finds Brynhild’s castle, braves the wall of fire and awakens Brynhild. Brynhild tells Siegfried that while she knows of death and sorrow she may not know of anything that is false or lack bravery.

41. Sleeping Beauty The Sleeping Beauty fairy tale can be traced back to this story.

42. The Promise Siegfried tells Brynhild that he wishes to wait to marry her until he has made as great of a name as his father. Siegfried leaves Brynhild, back asleep, and gives her Alberich’s ring as a token of the troth.

46. Gaining a Name Siegfried goes to battle with Giuki, the current king of the Volsungs and fights alongside Gunnar and Hogni, the king’s sons. Grimhild, Giuki’s wife, longs to wed Siegfried and Gudrun, her daughter.

47. The Magic Helmet Siegfried learns that the helmet he took from Fafnir’s hoard can allow him to change forms. Grimhild learns of this and makes a plan.

48. Grimhild, the enchantress Grimhild prepares a potion that causes Siegfried to lose his memory of Brynhild. Siegfried then falls in love with the beautiful Gudrun and marries her.

49. Brynhild and Gunnar Gunnar meanwhile cannot find a wife and hears about the castle of fire. Siegfried agrees to help Gunnar and rides through the wall of fire changed by the helmet into the shape of Gunnar.

51. The Breaking of the Spell Brynhild is confused, but disoriented by her sleep and marries Gunnar. As Siegfried sees Gunnar presents his bride, the spell is broken and Siegfried remembers the love of Brynhild but remains faithful to Gudrun.

52. Brynhild’s Rage Gudrun accidentally tells Brynhild of how she was won, and Brynhild realizes that she was falsely won and is enraged at Siegfried. Brynhild breaks with Gunnar and rejects Siegfried’s atonement but asks Gunnar to kill Siegfried.

54. The Slaying of Siegfried Guttorm, Gunnar and Hogni’s step- brother, has not sworn fidelity to Siegfriend and so he is asked. Guttorm refuses but Brynhild enchants him and he kills Siegfried. Brynhild realizes her error and kills herself on the pyre with Sigurd’s body.

55. Bibliography Pictures from: http://www.artpassions.net/rackham/w agner_ring.html