TEST I.

1. In the social milieu depicted in the Nibelungenlied, what personal, social, cultural, and
political roles do women play?
Answer:
 In terms of personal women are emotional and weak but there is a hidden strength this
was proved by Kriemhild.
 In terms of social women are the lady of the house, taking care of the family, being
focused on children and their happiness.
 In terms of cultural women became pawns for male pleasure, and if they disobeyed the
male authority imposed on them, they were subjected to various sorts of maltreatment.
 In terms of political women are unable to express themselves or assert their rights that’s
why men continued to exert their dominance over women.

2. Compare the duties and roles of the women in the epic the
Nibelungenlied of those women in the 21st century.
Answer:
Women are depicted as passive and submissive objects in the Nibelungenlied, and
their identity is predicated on their male partner's sense of self and social rank. Women
became puppets for male gratification, and if they defied male control, they were subjected
to various sorts of maltreatment. Brunhild and Kriemhild were both physically, emotionally,
and sexually mistreated, despite the fact that they were two separate women with differing
social position. Women in the twenty-first century are assertive, sensitive, emancipated,
and enjoy the same rights as males. They are no longer confined to cooking, washing
clothing, performing home chores, and caring for their children and families. They have the
freedom to say whatever they want.

3. Compare and contrast the characters Brunhild and Kriemhild. Are they more alike or
different?
Answer:
Brunhild is different from Kriemhild in that she is a courageous woman who is difficult
to please and athletic. Kriemhild, on the other hand, appears to be an innocent young girl
who grows brave as a result of her hatred towards her husband's killer. It turns out that the
vengeance has devoured her.

4. Siegfried is a helpful and loyal friend to King Gunther besides the fact that he will also
gain Kriemhild’s favor, are you in favor of him helping Gunther all throughout his
pursuit for Brunhild? If you were Siegfried will you do the same knowing you have all
the capacity to help and despite the means?
Answer:
Personally, I am against the idea of Siegfried helping Gunther since it is dangerous and
bad as well. It is not right to pursue a woman in a decisive way, it might lead chaos. If their
love and intention is pure they will not do it, there are different methods to prove their love
to the both women but since they are controlling not giving the girls to decide.
TEST II.

My Synopsis

Kriemhild is a beautiful Burgundian princess. As a child, she experiences a dream in

which she raises a falcon that is killed by two eagles. Years later, bold Prince Siegfried of the
Netherlands comes of age and asks for her hand. Gunther, Siegfried, Hagen, and Hagen's
brother Dancwart sail to Iceland to woo Queen Brunhild of Iceland. Siegfried uses a cloak of
invisibility to help Gunther beat her in javelin, weight tossing, and leaping. Siegfried and
Kriemhild wed, but Brunhild refuses to have sexual intercourse with Gunther and binds him
with her girdle. Siegfried sees this and breaks her spirit by sneaking into her chamber dressed
in his cloak of invisibility and subduing her. Hagen plots to kill Siegfried in order to restore Brun
hild's honor; Gunther tries to stop Hagen but ultimately concedes. Hagen of Burgundy
murdered his brother Siegfried by piercing his weak spot with a javelin as the latter drank from
a stream. Gunther tries to console his sister by bringing Siegfried's treasure from Nibelungland
to Burgundy, but Hagen sinks the treasure in the Rhine out of fear that Kriemhild will use it to
raise an army against him. King Etzel of Hungary wooes her and brings her back to be his
bride 13 years later.

My Reflection

The protagonist of this German epic is Siegfried, who shares Achilles'

immortality. There are catastrophic weaknesses in both of them. I believe it's
natural for us to feel helpless because we're all flawed human beings. The other
part of the story is entirely about Kriemhild's vengeance for her husband
Siegfried. Hagen had assassinated Siegfried, and Kreimhild was resolved to
avenge him. However, they all died in the end. As a result, vengeance isn't the
ideal way to get justice; doing so will simply lead to more misery.