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Curriculum/The Nibelungenlied/The Nibelungenlied: Murder of Siegfried
The NibelungenliedGrade 7dialectic Stage

The Nibelungenlied: Murder of Siegfried

Hagen deceives Kriemhild into revealing Siegfried's vulnerable spot, pretending he wants to protect her husband. She marks the spot with a cross on his doublet. During a hunt, Hagen murders Siegfried by stabbing him in the back at a spring. The corpse is left at Kriemhild's door; when touched by Hagen, it bleeds anew, revealing the murderer.

The Text

What You'll Learn

1

Comprehension

Describes Hagen deceiving Kriemhild by pretending to want to protect Siegfried

2

Cause & Consequence

Explains how Hagen exploited Kriemhild's love and trust to learn the secret

3

Meaning

Takes a position on whether Hagen's actions were evil or somehow justified by loyalty to Brunhild

4

Evidence

Cites a specific passage (Hagen's deception, the murder, the bleeding corpse)

5

Defense

Maintains or thoughtfully revises their position under challenge

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  • 1.Read the text carefully
  • 2.Answer the tutor's questions in your own words
  • 3.Progress through each stage as you demonstrate understanding
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