In The Song of Roland, translated by John O'Hagan, the antagonist, Ganelon, believes he is purposely volunteered by his stepson to go on a suicide mission. As a result, he is greatly angered by this and seeks revenge. In The Nibelungenlied, Kriemhild, the princess of Burgandy, falls in love with and marries a noble prince, who is murdered by her kin. Through the help of heathen kings, both of these characters seek revenge after being wronged by their kin and face a brutal end as a consequence of their actions. First, Ganelon from The Song of Roland, is the stepfather of Roland. Ganelon is nominated by Roland to meet King Marsil. Ganelon states, "What may this rage against me betide? I am thy stepsire, as all men know, And thou doom'st me
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A heathen king named Etzel is told to seek Kriemhild to wed (87). Etzel states, 'How could that be, since I am heathen, and have not received baptism? The woman is Christian … it were a wonder, truly if it came to pass' (88). In this quotation, Etzel's obvious surprise at someone suggesting Kriemhild – a Christian woman definitely emphasizes just how inconceivable this possible marriage would be. He even states that if he did marry her, it would be an oddity. This emphasizes the importance of her marriage to Etzel in the story, as well as in her revenge. Even after Kriemhild gives birth to a a son seven years after she weds, she still thinks of revenge (105-106). Nonetheless, she achieves revenge at the expense of her son – Ortlieb. Etzel speaks of his son, Ortlieb, “... I will give him the lordship of twelve countries … when ye ride back to Rhine... take with you your sister's son ... Rear him in honour till he be a man … if any harry your land, he will help you to avenge it' (145). This quotation is significant because it alludes that if Kriemhild does not get revenge during her lifetime, Ortlieb may in the name of his mother. Hagen insults Etzel by saying his child appears weak and he probably would be useless (145). Despite Hagen's words, he does seem worried about this possibility and chooses to kill him first (148). Despite the soliders that lie dead in the hall from an altercation between the heathens and the christians, Ortlieb's death is the catalyst for the war (149). This war allows Kriemhild to have her revenge; however, she is beheaded by an
A heathen king named Etzel is told to seek Kriemhild to wed (87). Etzel states, 'How could that be, since I am heathen, and have not received baptism? The woman is Christian … it were a wonder, truly if it came to pass' (88). In this quotation, Etzel's obvious surprise at someone suggesting Kriemhild – a Christian woman definitely emphasizes just how inconceivable this possible marriage would be. He even states that if he did marry her, it would be an oddity. This emphasizes the importance of her marriage to Etzel in the story, as well as in her revenge. Even after Kriemhild gives birth to a a son seven years after she weds, she still thinks of revenge (105-106). Nonetheless, she achieves revenge at the expense of her son – Ortlieb. Etzel speaks of his son, Ortlieb, “... I will give him the lordship of twelve countries … when ye ride back to Rhine... take with you your sister's son ... Rear him in honour till he be a man … if any harry your land, he will help you to avenge it' (145). This quotation is significant because it alludes that if Kriemhild does not get revenge during her lifetime, Ortlieb may in the name of his mother. Hagen insults Etzel by saying his child appears weak and he probably would be useless (145). Despite Hagen's words, he does seem worried about this possibility and chooses to kill him first (148). Despite the soliders that lie dead in the hall from an altercation between the heathens and the christians, Ortlieb's death is the catalyst for the war (149). This war allows Kriemhild to have her revenge; however, she is beheaded by an