Nibelungenlied as Epic

The Nibelungenlied draws on two important literary traditions, that of the epic, and that of the romance. As an epic, it celebrates the adventures and achievements of several noble, admirable people. It draws on history, mythology, and legend for its details, and the story is largely advanced through action. The Nibelungenlied also employs elements drawn from the literary romance: the quests of knights, chivalry, and complicated love relationships worked out over time. The romance genre is largely driven by plot or character, as are the romantic sections of Ihe Nibelungenlied. In fact, this work is often regarded as one of the first examples of a new, hybrid form of literature, encompassing elements of both epic and romance. It has also been suggested that the Nibelungenlied also draws on a type of story associated with the romance genre known as the "bridal-quest." This literary model encompasses several...