IS WALTHARIUS A BACKSTORY TO LEGEND ABOUT THE NIBELUNGS?

Abstract

The article discusses a Latin poem Waltharius (8th–10th centuries) based on a legend about Walther of Aquitaine. The action of the Waltharius take place before that of the legend about the Nibelungs, but having been compared to each other, the plots do not have much in common. Waltharius is not a backstory, it is rather another German epic poem in terms of its plot. There are differences in the ending (wounds of Guntharius and Hagano are not mentioned in the Lay), the character of Hagano is much more elaborated, Guntharius and Hagano belong to the Francs. Nevertheless both texts have similar motives, e. g. there are those of treasure and acquisition of a bride, Guntharius’ character reflects peculiarities of his historical prototype Gundahar, king of the Burgundians.