KEY CHARACTERS
The characters in Sigurd’s story were first described in the Volsunga
Saga, a Norse text from the 13th century. A German poem, the
Nibelungenlied, which was written at around the same time or soon
afterwards, retells the story, changing the names of the characters:
the Norse dwarf Andvari becomes Alberich; Regin becomes Mime;
Gudrun becomes Kriemhild; and Sigurd
becomes Siegfried. But the characters retain
their essential traits in both versions of the
legend – Sigurd is heroic, Regin is skilled
but envious, and Brynhild is beautiful
and passionate. The characters also
maintain their links with the
world of the gods; Sigurd as a
member of Odin’s family, and
Brynhild as one of the Valkyries.OBJECTS OF POWER
Metal objects such as jewellery and weapons
were believed to be magical in the ancient
cultures of Europe. The skill required to make
such objects involved the apparently magical
processes of smelting, casting, and forging. The
metalworker was perceived to have the ability
to make substances change shape at will as
miraculously as characters such as Loki and
Otr. When a ruler gave a sword or a ring to a
follower, it was regarded as a gift of immense
significance. The owners of such objects trusted
implicitly in their powers, which enhanced their
courage, strength, and endurance – qualities
that were crucial to ensuring success in warfare.Regin
The blacksmith Regin (left) made
two failed attempts at forging
a sword for Sigurd. Here he is
shown testing Sigurd’s new
sword on an anvil.
LEGENDS OF THE RINGGold ring
In ancient Europe, men
were just as likely to
adorn themselves with
jewellery as women.
It was a sign of their
power and wealth.Viking sword and shield
It was important for the Vikings
to possess weaponry of the
highest standard for a good
chance of success on raids.Horned helmet
The horned helmet, unknown
to the Vikings, became common
in later Germanic retellings of
Norse myths and legends.LATER INTERPRETATIONS
Icelandic sagas like the story of Sigurd and the ring were very
popular in the 19th century, being retold by many writers.
William Morris (1834–96) wrote an epic poem Sigurd the
Volsung that came out in 1876. Perhaps the most influential
retelling was in the four operas of the Ring cycle, Der Ring des
Nibelungen, by Richard
Wagner (1813–83). The
first two, Das Rheingold
and Die Walküre, deal
with the back story,
including the forging of
the ring and the laying
of Brynhild to sleep. The
next two, Sieg fried and
Götterdämmerung, cover
Siegfried’s story and its
tragic aftermath.Wotan
In Wagner’s operas, the god Odin
is called Wotan, and he appears
in the first three operas of the
Ring cycle. This photograph
shows actor Franz Betz as Wotan.Fafnir
Like his brothers, Fafnir
was a shape-changer. After
killing his father, Fafnir
turned himself into a dragon
to guard the treasure.Brynhild
The beautiful Brynhild refused the sexual
advances of Odin, who consequently put
her to sleep within a ring of fire. Sigurd
freed her, but their love was doomed.67