The Noblewoman And The She-Devil: A Comparative Study of the Role, Treatment and Characterisation of Women in Vǫlsunga Saga, the Nibelungenlied and Þiðreks Saga Af Bern

Abstract

The infamous Nibelung legend features some of the most impressive female characters in medieval literature. At the heart of this comparative study stand the well- and not-so-well-known women of the Nibelung story-world who through speech and agency actively take part in the events of the narratives and openly oppose the patriarchal world order. Through a close reading of the Nibelungenlied, Vǫlsunga saga and Þiðreks saga af bern the role and characterisation of women is analysed and their treatment in the sources examined. Two forms of womanhood come to the fore, the ideal Noblewoman and the challenging She-Devil, that problematise and shed light on women’s lives, marriage, misogyny and the varying concepts of courtly and uncourtly love.