The Nibelungenlied (Illustrated)

“Over the sea there dwelt a queen whose like was never known, for she was of vast strength and surpassing beauty. With her love as the prize, she vied with brave warriors at throwing the javelin, and the noble lady also hurled the weight to a great distance and followed with a long leap; and whoever aspired to her love had, without fail, to win these three tests against her, or else, if he lost but one, he forfeited his head.”The Nibelungenlied or The Song of the Nibelungs is the greatest saga from medieval Germany. This epic story of murder, a masterpiece of chivalric drama, formed the basis for Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle.Dragon-slayer Siegfried, a great prince of the Netherlands, wins the hand of the beautiful princess Kriemhild of Burgundy, by aiding her brother Gunther in his struggle to seduce a powerful Icelandic Queen. But the two women quarrel, and Siegfried is ultimately destroyed by those he trusts the most. This newly revised edition for 2015 includes a link to a free unabridged audio recording of The Nibelungenlied as well as an image gallery showcasing classic art commissioned for the work over the years, with stunning illustrations from Johann Heinrich Füssli, Arthur Rackham, Johann Heinrich Füssli and others. Images include: Gunther's wedding night (Johann Heinrich Füssli 1807)."Siegfried's Departure" (Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, ca. 1843).Hagen orders servants to sink the hoard in the Rhine (Peter von Cornelius, 1859).Kriemhild showing Gunther's head to Hagen (Johann Heinrich Füssli, ca. 1805).Kriemhild and Gunther (Johann Heinrich Füssli, 1807).Siegfried blows his horn (1911) by Arthur Rackham."Sigurd proofs the sword Gram" (1901) by Johannes Gehrts.Sigurd and Brunhild (Harry George Theaker).

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