Virginity and Loss in The Nibelungenlied

The Nibelungenlied is an epic poem written in Middle High German. Telling the story of two marriages, the narrative deals the sexuality of female characters. Both female characters start out as virgins, but their experiences with sex affect them very differently.

Part One of the Nibelungenlied chronicles the story of four main players: Siegfried, Kriemhild, Gunther, and Brunhild. Kriemhild and Gunther are sister and brother. Siegfried wants to marry Kriemhild, but Gunther only agrees to let him if Siegfried helps Gunther marry the legendarily strong warrior-queen Brunhild. Siegfried agrees and uses a magical invisibility cloak that gives the wearer the strength of many men, allowing Gunther to appear to defeat Brunhild in a competition of strength. Having been bested, Brunhild agrees to marry Gunther, and Siegfried marries Kriemheld. Trouble comes when Brunhild refuses to sleep with Gunther. Once again, Gunther enlists the help of Siegfried and his invisibility cloak. The next night, an invisible Siegfried holds down Brunhild while Gunther rapes her. Her loss of virginity results in the loss of her warrior strength.

Not as much detail and attention is given in the narrative to Kriemheld losing her virginity, but the story seems to hint that it was a pleasurable experience, definitely for Siegfried. While there is no direct indication that Kriemheld was also satisfied, she seems to love her husband, and does not show any signs of displeasure.

            Though both Kriemhild and Brunhild start the story as virgins, their experiences with sex and loss of virginity are very different. Before her marriage, Kriemhild is very weak and obedient, “I shall always do as you command,” she tells her brother, “Whatever it is, it shall be done. I will gladly accept whomever you, Lord, have chosen to be my husband.” Brunhild, on the other hand, is strong and defiant. After challenging Gunther to a battle of strength, she tells Siegfried, “If I should win, then all of you will pay with your lives.” It is important to note the personalities of the two before they get married.

            The wording of the text heavily emphasizes the virginity of the women. The men defend Gunther’s choice to risk their lives, saying, “He would gladly compete to win such a beautiful virgin.” The usage of virgin, rather than woman, is interesting here. It is possible that this odd diction could be a translation issue; perhaps there isn’t as much a distinction in the words for unmarried woman and virgin, which is why it gets repeated a lot. indeed there is another moment of telling diction, in the moment immediately after the wedding when both men look forward to sleeping with their wives. The text reads, “they each thought about winning love’s victory over their charming ladies.” The imagery of sex as a victory where the man must defeat the woman is telling, and definitely becomes significant in Brunhild and Gunther’s relationship.

            The moments surrounding the loss of virginity for the two women are in stark contrast as well. For Kriemhild, it reads, “As Siegfried lay with [her], his life became one with hers.” For Brunhild, “[Gunther] had sex with her, which was his right, and she was forced to abandon her anger and her humiliation. She became pale and weak after they had finished.” Along with her virginity, Brunhild loses her super-human-like strength. In the story, she also loses much of her strength of character, acquiescing easily to her husband, and crying about Kreimhild’s insults. Kriemhild, on the other hand seems to gain strength after losing her virginity. She publicly calls Brunhild a concubine, and when Brunhild tells her that she will report her hurtful words to Gunther, Kriemhild responds, “I couldn’t care less. Your arrogant pride has betrayed you. [. . .] You can rest assured that this hurt cannot be repaired. My loyalty and friendship to you are over.” This is a far cry from the woman who was previously meek and obedient.

            The relationship the two women have to sex, and the way in which they experience it, greatly impact their characters and personalities. Brunhild’s tough, strong demeanor is weakened by her forced and violent first sexual experience, while Kriemhild’s meek obedience is rewarded by a gentle first sexual experience, leaving her a stronger and more powerful person after.