Uote Character Analysis in The Nibelungenlied

Uote is the great Queen of Burgundy, wife of Dancrat, and mother of Kriemhild, Gunther, Gernot, and Giselher. She is largely in the background of the poem. She interprets Kriemhild’s portentous dream at the beginning of the story and counsels her about love. Years later, before the Burgundian men depart for Hungary, she dreams that they will all be killed.

Uote Quotes in The Nibelungenlied

The The Nibelungenlied quotes below are all either spoken by Uote or refer to Uote. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Idealized and Deviant Womanhood Theme Icon

).

Kriemhild dreamt she reared a falcon, strong, handsome and wild, but that two eagles rent it while she perforce looked on, the most grievous thing that could ever befall her. She told her dream to her mother Uote, who could give the good maiden no better reading than this: “The falcon you are rearing is a noble man who, unless God preserve him, will soon be taken from you.”

“Why do you talk to me of a man, dear Mother? I intend to stay free of a warrior’s love all my life. I mean to keep my beauty till I die, and never be made wretched by the love of any man. […] There are many examples of women who have paid for happiness with sorrow in the end. I shall avoid both, and so I shall come to no harm.”

Related Characters: Kriemhild (speaker), Uote (speaker), Siegfried

Page Number and Citation: 18

Explanation and Analysis:

Uote Character Timeline in The Nibelungenlied

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

...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 they are served by many proud... (full context)

...apart by two eagles while she watched. When she recounts the dream to her mother, Uote replies that the falcon represents a noble man who will be taken from her. Kriemhild... (full context)

...mother and Kriemhild accordingly. One hundred vassals and as many ladies-in-waiting escort Kriemhild and Queen Uote to the festival, and the knights jostle to get a good look. (full context)

Hospitality, Gifts, and Exchange Theme Icon

Queen Uote and Kriemhild are escorted to the shores of the Rhine by Siegfried to greet Gunther... (full context)

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

...Burgundians prepare to set out for Hungary in great splendor. Before they can leave, Queen Uote implores her sons not to go; she has just dreamed that all the birds of... (full context)