Der ältere Sigenot (ca. 1250)
|
|
Heroic Epic
Der ältere Sigenot (ca. 1250)
Zupitza, J.(ed.): Deutsches Heldenbuch V. Berlin 1870, Reprint Dublin/Zürich 1968.
SigAel-1:
Dietrich has many adventures riding out from Bern. Among them is one extraordinary encounter with the giant Ecke whom he slays eventually. One day he finds a fighter asleep in a forest. The big man is one of the bravest men alive. Dietrich dismounts his horse and binds it to a tree. He hates the idea of killing the giant while he is asleep, therefore he wakes him up.
Motif References:
K 959.2.2 Heroes dislike killing sleeping people
SigAel-4:
The giant recognizes Dietrich as his uncle’s killer. He wants to avenge his uncle’s death and threatens to kill Dietrich.
Motif References:
H 126 Identification by coat of arms
M 161.2 Vow to revenge (king, friends, father, [husband, queen]) (or die)
P 297.3 (Bm) Nephew would avenge his uncle
F 531.5 Giants and men
SigAel-5:
Dietrich regrets that he has awakened the giant. The big man takes his club and hits Dietrich so hard that he falls to the ground. The giant Sigenot threatens to kill Dietrich to take revenge for his uncle’s death. Dietrich confesses that he killed Grîn in self-defense, because his wife pressed him to the ground so heavily that blood came out his ears. The giant takes Dietrich and carries him through a dark forest until he reaches a mountain, where he throws Dietrich into a cave.
Motif References:
R 11.3 Abduction by giant [wild woman]
R 41.3 Captivity in dungeon
F 531.4.5.1 Giant with iron club [pole] as weapon
SigAel-11:
The giant rides in the direction of Bern. He wonders if Master Hildebrand will come to Dietrich’s help. Suddenly, Master Hildebrand appears in full armor. Hildebrand notices Dietrich’s horse and in dismay, he fears that Dietrich has been killed. The giant charges him with his iron club. He wears a hat made of leather.
Motif References:
F 531.4.5.1 Giant with iron club [pole] as weapon
F 531.4.7 Giant’s clothes
SigAel-15:
Hildebrand dismounts his horse and binds it to a tree. He takes his sword and asks the giant whether he has killed Dietrich. The giant answers that Dietrich is probably dead in the cave. He wants to kill Hildebrand too.
Motif References:
F 531.5 Giants and men
H 1561.6 Test of valor: fight with giant [warrior, dwarf-hero, dragon etc.]
SigAel-16:
Hildebrand fights the giant. Eventually he beats him to the ground. However, the giant strikes back, Hildebrand falls to his knees, and the sword slips out of his hand. The giant takes the sword, grabs Hildebrand by his beard, and forces him to walk to the cave that the dwarves have built.
Motif References:
R 11.3 Abduction by giant [wild woman]
F 451.3.4.1 Dwarfs as artificers
P 550.2 (Li) Single combat
K 1111.1 Ogre’s (dwarf’s) [giant’s, hero’s] beard caught fast
SigAel-19:
Hildebrand sees Dietrich’s sword hanging on the wall. He takes the sword and his shield, and he challenges the giant to fight. The giant strikes a blow that breaks the shield band. Hildebrand takes his sword in both hands and cuts the giant in two halves.
Motif References:
P 556.0.1 (Bm) Challenge to single combat [feud]
F 628.2.3 Strong man kills giant
SigAel-25:
Hildebrand approaches the cave, which smells strongly of dragons. He does not recognize Dietrich and asks him whether he is a knight from Bern. When Dietrich reveals his identity, Hildebrand pretends to leave, because Dietrich had ignored his advice. Dietrich asks Hildebrand to help him. Hildebrand answers that he needs a ladder to help him out. Dietrich replies that he should cut his clothes and produce a rope. Dietrich starts climbing the rope, but it breaks, and Dietrich falls down again.
Motif References:
R 211.7 Escape from pit of snakes (dragons) by means of a rope
SigAel-29:
Dietrich wants Hildebrand to leave for Bern to protect his wife and his brother. Hildebrand finds a sleeping dwarf and takes him by his beard. His name is Eggerich. The dwarf wakes up, and Hildebrand threatens him with harsh words to help them out of the cave. The dwarf tells him that there is a heavy ladder in the mountain. It had been Grim’s and the dwarves have created it. Hildebrand takes it and lets it down to Dietrich.
Motif References:
F 451.5.1.7 Dwarfs serve mortals
F 451.5.1 Helpful dwarfs
K 1111.1 Ogre’s (dwarf’s) [giant’s, hero’s] beard caught fast
SigAel-35:
Dietrich climbs out. The one night in the cave seems like thirty years. He is grateful to Eggerich and praises him. Now Dietrich tells Hildebrand that his helmet was broken and that the giant had him by his beard. Hildebrand admits that the same happened to him. Both return to Bern. There is a great welcome and they tell of their adventures.
Motif References:
R 167 Master rescues disciple
|