Brünnhilde

Daughter of Wotan and Erda. Wife to Siegfried. Sisters are the Valkyrie. Half-siblings are the Wälsungs Siegmund and Sieglinde.

Her stepmother is Fricka.

Brunnhilde is told by Wotan to make sure Sigmund defeats Hunding. However Fricka forces him to order Sigmund's death, as he has committed adultery and twincest with Sieglinde. But when Brunnhilde sees Siegmund's love for his sibling and, knowing Wotan loves his son, the Valkyrie tries to help Siegmund defeat Hunding. However Wotan breaks Siegmund's sword, causing his death. Brunnhilde escapes with Sieglinde and the pieces of the sword Nothung to the mountain where the Valkyries are meeting. The other Valkyries refuse to help them as they fear Wotan. Brunnhilde tells Sieglinde she is pregnant. She gives her the pieces of Siegmund's sword and tells her to hide in the woods to the East as Fafner, now a dragon guards the golden Hoard there and therefore Wotan avoids those woods. She tells Sieglinde to name the child Siegfried. Despite being his favourite daughter, Brunnhilde is put into an enchanted sleep by Wotan for disobeying him, saying she will be taken by the man who wakes her. However she asks that only a hero take her. Wotan has the Fire God Loge surround her with flames so no unworthy man can pass.

Siegfried is told by a bird of Brunnhilde, and passes through the flames for her, breaking Wotan's spear when his way is barred. He wakes her by kissing her and gives her the ring as a token of his love.

Later the Valkyrie Waltrude comes to Brunnhilde and tells her Wotan's spear has been broken and he is sitting in Valhalla with the Gods, awaiting the end. She tells Brunnhilde if she returns the ring to the Rhinemaidens, the curse of the ring will end, but Brunnhilde refuses. Brunnhilde finally commits suicide on Siegfried's funeral pyre and returns the ring to the Rhinemaidens. She has told Wotan's ravens to return to him and they give the signal for Valhalla to be set alight, destroying the Gods.

Ride of the Valkyries

Brünnhilde