Siegfried (Character)

Son of the incestuous union between Siegmund and Sieglinde the twin Walsungs. He is raised by the dwarf Mime after Sieglinde dies soon after giving birth to him. Mime hopes Siegfried will slay the dragon Fafner, enabling Mime to take the ring and rule the world. His grandfather, the God Wotan tells Mime only one who knows no fear can reforge Siegmund's sword Notung, which Mime had failed to do. Siegfried reforges the sword by filing it down and reforming it. Mime takes Siegfried to the lair of Fafner. Siegfried slays Fafner but when tasting the blood he gains the ability to understand birds and is told to take the ring and tarnhelm. He also learns Mime is planning to kill him and kills his foster-father. Siegfried is told by the bird of the Valkyrie Brunnhilde, asleep surrounded by flames. He meets Wotan next to the flames and when Wotan bars his way he breaks the God's spear, destroying Wotan's power. He passes through the flames and wakes Brunnhilde with a kiss, then leaves for further adventures. However Siegfried is given a love potion, causing him to forget Brunnhilde and instead love Gutrune, sister of Gunther. He swears blood-brotherhood with Gunther, then disguises himself with the Tarnhelm and kidnaps Brunnhilde for Gunther, taking the ring. Brunnhilde after her marriage to Gunther sees the ring and realises the deception. With Gunther and his half-brother Hagen, son of Mime's brother Alberich who desires the ring, she arranges Siegfried's death. Siegfried is murdered by Hagen with a spear in the back. When Hagen tries to take the ring after killing Gunther Siegfried's hand rises, scaring him away. Brunnhilde then orders a funeral pyre for Siegfried and throws herself into the flames.