Constructing Sigfrid: History and Legend in the Making of a Hero
Edward G. Fichtner
Few figures in medieval German literature have received as much attention Sigfrid, the most important figure Nibelungenlied. Not surprisingly, theories about his origin been many and varied. These range from depicting him a product of Germanic mythology (Schroder 13f.) to rep- resenting literary descendant Arminius, warrior hero battle Teutoberg forest (Hofler 22). It is fair say that most, if not all, those who addressed question Sigfrid have, like Hofler, found answer some historical account. How- ever, equation with specific problematic— for two reasons. First, there which model second, it apparent itself unitary, but exhibits traits bear resemblance various figures. Moreover, increasingly recognized variation ac- counts preserved our manuscripts merely result scribal crea- tivity, rather very lively oral tradition has its way into preserved. In this article, spelling used general term forms works he appears: Sivrit Nibelungenlied, Seyfrid Hans Sachs's poem Der hurnen Seyfrid, Sigifridus Latin texts, etc. When texts are cited, form appears will be used. The abbreviation NL refers As NL, we largely dependent on written picture Sigfrid—Sivrit—which nearly 40 manu- scripts or fragments manuscripts. From beginning, raised ques- tion manuscript was, was closest to, original (e.g., Lach- mann, v). method employed techniques textual criticism had developed since Renaissance edition works. This effort culminated work Wilhelm Braune,
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