The Nibelungenlied

by

Anonymous

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on The Nibelungenlied makes teaching easy.

Ortwin Character Analysis

Ortwin of Metz is nephew of Hagen and Dancwart, a vassal of the Burgundian kings, and serves as King’s Seneschal in the Burgundian court. He is hot-blooded and wants to take up arms against Siegfried when the latter first arrives in Burgundy. Years later, he eagerly joins in Hagen’s plot against Siegfried.
Get the entire The Nibelungenlied LitChart as a printable PDF.
The Nibelungenlied PDF

Ortwin Character Timeline in The Nibelungenlied

The timeline below shows where the character Ortwin appears in The Nibelungenlied. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 1
Idealized and Deviant Womanhood Theme Icon
Civilization vs. Barbarism Theme Icon
Honor vs. Vengeance Theme Icon
...to a sad end.” Some of these knights include famed warriors such as Hagen, Dancwart, Ortwin, and Volker. (full context)
Chapter 3
Idealized and Deviant Womanhood Theme Icon
Civilization vs. Barbarism Theme Icon
Honor vs. Vengeance Theme Icon
...and his men take counsel over the matter, displeased at Siegfried’s provocations. While some, like Ortwin, call for battle, Gernot urges that the matter be settled courteously. He points out that... (full context)
Chapter 5
Idealized and Deviant Womanhood Theme Icon
Civilization vs. Barbarism Theme Icon
...Burgundy for the great festivity. Meanwhile, Gunther has observed Siegfried’s love for his sister, Kriemhild. Ortwin suggests that Kriemhild should be allowed to appear before the guests. Gunther sends word to... (full context)
Chapter 11
Honor vs. Vengeance Theme Icon
Hospitality, Gifts, and Exchange Theme Icon
Gernot grants Siegfried a thousand knights for his household. Kriemhild wants to take Hagen and Ortwin as her liegemen, but Hagen is incensed at the implication that Gunther can “give” them... (full context)
Chapter 14
Honor vs. Vengeance Theme Icon
Hospitality, Gifts, and Exchange Theme Icon
Fate and Action Theme Icon
...the matter. As soon as he hears the story, he vows that Siegfried must pay. Ortwin, Gernot, and Hagen begin plotting Siegfried’s death. When Giselher comes upon this discussion, he defends... (full context)