The Code of Chivalry Essay -- The Lay of the Nibelungs

The epic poem, â€Å"The Lay of the Nibelungs† (1200’s), set to practice the major pillars in the code of chivalry that the Duke of Burgundy in the 14th century eventually condensed and ascribed to the Burgundian Knights: Faith, Charity, Justice, Sagacity, Prudence, Temperance, Resolution, Truth, Liberality, Diligence, Hope, and Valor. Though values bear merit, â€Å"The Lay of the Nibelungs† teaches that true worth and longevity comes from assessing the situation and applying intellect to the code, from submitting to God, and from not cheating the system (the laws and cultural norms of the time that be). A man only bears value based upon his actions or the potential for him to act in a certain manner. However, if an action contradicts that man’s beliefs, then no longer can he be said to possess such ideals. Sivrit embodies the code both through his actions and his beliefs, yet he is still human and thus has shortcomings. Sivrit faulted initially when he came to Burgundy and was clear as to his intentions stating to King Gunther upon his arrival: â€Å"In my father’s land I was told that alongside you here are the boldest warriors that a king ever gained— I’d gladly learn if this is true! I’ve heard a great deal about this. That is why I have come here.† (Anonymous, 14) At this lie or at the very least his hiding the truth of his interest in Kriemhild from Gunther, Sivrit broke an important declaration of the code, which states to all times speak the truth. However, from then onward Sivrit is the noble vassal, who serves his king, and who fig hts for the welfare of all those around him. â€Å"Let that be of little concern to you and rest easy. Do as I ask: let me win honor and gain for you, and ask your knights to come to you aid also. [†¦] I wou... ... Therefore, Hagen reason for killing Sivrit similar to the very modern United States currency can be viewed to have no meaning, they are both merely there as place holders, ideas never fully developed, bubble gum on the bottom of your shoe. And that notion that there might not be any meaning to the text is a troubling scenario for a literary analyst. One reason could be that the book is too short, not lengthwise for it is as long as any short novella at present, but developmentally. The characters come and go, are introduced and killed off, begin to play a crucial role and then disappear. And as for Hagen, who though he stuck around till the very end, at times acted against the Jungian archetype he was written to depict – that of a loyal warrior vassal loyal and submissive— which is problematic only because the author never gave reasons to support Hagen’s actions.