Brunhild

views updated Jun 27 2018

Brunhild in the Nibelungenlied, the wife of Gunther, who instigated the murder of Siegfried. In the Norse versions she is Brynhild, a Valkyrie whom Sigurd (the counterpart of Siegfried) wins by penetrating the wall of fire behind which she lies in an enchanted sleep; his death comes about because he is later tricked into forgetting her and marrying the Nibelung princess Gudrun.