Giselher Character Analysis in The Nibelungenlied

A renowned warrior and king of Burgundy, Giselher is the brother of Kriemhild, Gunther, and Gernot and son of Dancrat and Uote. He rules from Worms beside the Rhine. He is reluctant to enter into Hagen’s plot against Siegfried. He and Kriemhild share an especially close bond. En route to Kriemhild’s festival in Hungary, he is betrothed to Rüdiger’s daughter. However, before he can marry, he is killed by Wolfhart at Etzel’s court.

Giselher Character Timeline in The Nibelungenlied

The timeline below shows where the character Giselher appears in The Nibelungenlied. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Kriemhild is a princess, the sister and ward of the renowned kings Gunther, Gernot, and Giselher, and daughter of Dancrat and Uote. The family rules from Worms beside the Rhine, and... (full context)

Siegfried, too, makes preparations to leave, but Giselher urges him to stay. Siegfried agrees. As a result, he sees Kriemhild daily. It is... (full context)

Hospitality, Gifts, and Exchange Theme Icon

...he vows that Siegfried must pay. Ortwin, Gernot, and Hagen begin plotting Siegfried’s death. When Giselher comes upon this discussion, he defends Siegfried and asks why they are going to such... (full context)

...He reminds her that Siegfried’s crown and realm will be hers. However, her kinsmen, especially Giselher, beg her to remain, promising that she need never see Hagen and that it will... (full context)

...requesting a Burgundian escort. Kriemhild continues to live at Worms in ceaseless lament, with only Giselher able to comfort her. Brunhild, meanwhile, sits “enthroned in her pride,” extending no affection toward... (full context)

...to Burgundy. Gunther agrees to make overtures to Kriemhild through his brothers. After Gernot and Giselher entreat her, she agrees to see Gunther, though Hagen doesn’t dare enter her presence. (full context)

...it isn’t long before the Nibelung treasure, her nuptial dower, is ferried over the Rhine. Giselher and Gernot, along with 8,000 men, travel to Nibelungenland to fetch it from Alberich the... (full context)

...Hagen insists that they will have trouble on their hands if Gunther allows the marriage. Giselher appeals to Hagen to make amends for the harm he’s done Kriemhild by letting her... (full context)

Giselher and Uote appeal to Kriemhild in private, trying to convince her that marriage to Etzel... (full context)

Giselher and Gernot accompany Kriemhild as far as the Danube before tearfully taking their leave. Rüdiger’s... (full context)

...way, she could exact revenge on him. She also dreams of walking with her brother Giselher and kissing him. (full context)

...revenge King Etzel’s queen has a long memory.” Seeing Hagen’s hesitation to go to Hungary, Giselher taunts him that “those that dare” should make the journey. At this, Hagen is determined... (full context)

...Rüdiger’s young daughter attracts the admiration of many knights. After some discussion, it’s agreed that Giselher will take her as his wife, to be escorted back to Burgundy with him after... (full context)

Kriemhild welcomes the men of Burgundy “with perfidy in her heart.” She kisses only Giselher, prompting Hagen to lace his helmet tighter. Kriemhild refuses to greet Hagen personally, instead demanding... (full context)

...back the next morning. They are conducted into a spacious hall filled with expensive quilts. Giselher laments that, in spite of her hospitable treatment, Kriemhild means to do them harm. Hagen... (full context)

Bloedelin takes his squires to the quarters of Giselher’s vassal and Hagen’s brother, Dancwart. Dancwart welcomes him warmly, but Bloedelin replies that Hagen slew... (full context)

When Giselher protests that he has done Kriemhild no wrong and that she should show mercy, Kriemhild... (full context)

Gernot, Giselher, and Dancwart immediately speak up in Hagen’s defense, protesting that they cannot break faith with... (full context)

...blood from corpses’ wounds in order to assuage their thirst, and many of them do. Giselher calls their predicament “a vile banquet my sister Kriemhild has been giving us.” (full context)

...past. Gernot laments having to fight Rüdiger with the very sword he had gifted him. Giselher bewails the fact that Rüdiger will be widowing his daughter before she is even a... (full context)

...Hildebrand fights as if he’s gone berserk and finally kills Volker. Soon after, Wolfhart and Giselher slay one another. Then Hagen, grieving for Volker, wounds Hildebrand. Now Gunther and Hagen are... (full context)