Sigurd
or SIGURDR, in Northern mythology, the hero of the Volsunga Saga, on which the "Nibelungenlied" is based.
According to the legend of the Volsungs, Sigurd (the Siegfried of the "Nibelung- SIKHS enlied)" is the posthumous son of Sigmund, son of Volsung, a descendant of Odin. After obtaining the golden treasure by slaying the dragon Fafnir with his good sword, Gram, he eats the monster's heart, and thus acquires the power of understanding the songs of birds. He then rides through a volume of flame surrounding a house in which the fair Brenhyldr (Brunhild) lay asleep. He wakes Brenhyldr, to whom he plights his troth, and then rides to the palace alace of Giuki the Niflung, whose wife gives him a potion potion which causes him to forget Brenhyldr, and he marries Gudrun (Chriemhild), Giuki's daughter. Her brother Gunnar (Gunther) determines to marry Brenhyldr, but is unable to ride through the flames; so his mother by her arts causes Sigurd to go through the flames and bring away Brenhyldr in the form of Bunnar.
Sigurd then resumes his shape, and Brenhyldr is handed over to Bunnar. When Brenhyldr hears the true story of her rescue, her love for the hero turns to hatred, and she seeks to slay him. Sigurd is eventually killed by Gunnar's half broth- His death revives Brenhyldr's love, and she dies of a broken heart. er.