For centuries, 'The Nibelungenlied' has fascinated readers and writers alike, providing material for grand operas and epic films - from Hans Sachs to Richard Wagner and from Fritz Lang to J.R.R. Tolkien. Yet no work has a greater allure than the greatest German heroic epic of the Middle Ages itself. Here, in the gripping tale of Siegfried's murder and Kriemhild's revenge, we encounter the darker sides of humanity and power in a very direct way: lies and intrigues, betrayal and deception. With numerous annotations, word explanations, and bibliographical references. Featuring contributions from Kindler's Literary Encyclopedia.