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Sigurd

Mythology
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Norse hero who slays the dragon Fáfnir, acquires a cursed hoard, and embodies tragic fate and heroic courage in the Völsunga saga.

Detailed Definition
Sigurd (or Siegfried in Germanic tradition) is a legendary Norse hero who kills the dragon Fáfnir, bathes in its blood for invulnerability, and wins the Valkyrie Brynhild’s love—only to meet a tragic end due to betrayal and cursed gold. Central to the Völsunga Saga and the Nibelungenlied, Sigurd embodies heroic valor, fate, and the corrupting allure of power. Poets reference him to explore destiny, honor, and the tragic arc of the hero.
Example
Example in poetry:
In the Völsunga Saga, Sigurd slays Fáfnir: “The dragon’s blood made him invulnerable, save for one spot”; The Nibelungenlied recounts Sigurd’s (Siegfried’s) betrayal by Hagen; In Wagner’s Ring Cycle, based on the myth, Sigurd sings of forging his sword Nothung; William Morris’s “Sigurd the Volsung” opens: “Of the deeds of Sigurd, the Volsung, the best of men”; In “The Story of Sigurd,” Andrew Lang renders his lament for Brynhild: “O sweet was her face, and her voice was kind”; Poets use Sigurd to symbolize doomed heroism and the curse of treasure.
Additional Notes
Sigurd (Siegfried in Germanic tradition) is the dragon-slaying hero of the Völsunga Saga and Nibelungenlied. His invulnerability (except for a spot where a leaf landed) and possession of cursed treasure (the Rhinegold) lead to betrayal and death. Wagner’s “Ring Cycle” immortalized his story, blending Norse myth with Romantic tragedy. Poets use Sigurd to explore fate, heroism, and the corrupting nature of power. Students should compare Norse and Germanic versions: the former emphasizes honor; the latter, treachery. Key for studying heroic epic, mythic motifs (dragon hoard, magic sword), and national romanticism. Related terms: cursed treasure, tragic hero, saga tradition.
Also Known As
Norse Dragon-Slayer Völsung Hero Siegfried (Germanic variant) Bearer of Gram
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