Skip to main content

Is there a way to compare the theme of revenge in Mibelungenlied with the theme of revenge in Kill Bill?

The simplest comparisons that can be made between these two sagas are the consistent threat of violence throughout the plot and the over-arching theme of revenge.


Within Kill Bill Vols. 1&2, the protagonist Beatrix Kiddo (aka The Bride and/or Black Mamba) seeks revenge against the titular Bill (aka Snake Charmer), her former lover and head of the assassination squad of which she was a member. Her quest begins after she awakens from a coma and...

The simplest comparisons that can be made between these two sagas are the consistent threat of violence throughout the plot and the over-arching theme of revenge.


Within Kill Bill Vols. 1&2, the protagonist Beatrix Kiddo (aka The Bride and/or Black Mamba) seeks revenge against the titular Bill (aka Snake Charmer), her former lover and head of the assassination squad of which she was a member. Her quest begins after she awakens from a coma and seeks out her former comrades by any means necessary in order to draw closer to Bill himself. Kiddo finds and kills many of her former compatriots, severing any ties she had to her past as a professional killer. Revenge is her motivator, and thus allows her the closure she seeks.


The Nibelungenlied contains many instances of betrayal and revenge. Siegfried's many adventures allow him to obtain wealth and prestige that draw him to the side of Gunther. And though he aids King Gunther of Burgundy in wedding (and weakening) Queen Brunhilde, this begins his own downfall. It is Brunhilde that argues with Kriemhild (Siegfried's wife and Gunther's sister) and casts doubt on the future of Gunther's reign. Hagen, a vassal of Gunther, plots and later has Siegfried killed by utilizing the weak point on his back. Later, Kriemhild swears revenge for her late husband and through her marriage to Etzel, King of the Huns (a rough parallel to Attila), invites the Burgundians to Hungary for her own revenge, which has built since Siegfried's death. Due to Hagen's wariness and the tensions between the armies, a great struggle leads to the death of the Burgundians and Kriemhild later decapitates Hagen herself to end her quest for vengeance. 


Revenge in both stories is a powerful character motivation, but places each protagonist in immense danger throughout their journeys. Also, the revenge is taken up in large part by women thought to be weaker than their male counterparts. It can be interpreted that each is a tale of empowerment for the female characters within them, despite the pain and suffering inflicted upon them. Overall, it shows that the desire to have vengeance can bring one back from the brink of death and "balance the scales."

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What are some external and internal conflicts that Montag has in Fahrenheit 451?

 Montag, the protagonist of Fahrenheit 451, faces both external and internal conflicts throughout the novel. Some examples of these conflicts are: External Conflicts: Conflict with the society: Montag lives in a society that prohibits books and critical thinking. He faces opposition from the government and the people who enforce this law. Montag struggles to come to terms with the fact that his society is based on censorship and control. Conflict with his wife: Montag's wife, Mildred, is completely absorbed in the shallow and meaningless entertainment provided by the government. Montag's growing dissatisfaction with his marriage adds to his external conflict. Conflict with the fire captain: Montag's superior, Captain Beatty, is the personification of the oppressive regime that Montag is fighting against. Montag's struggle against Beatty represents his external conflict with the government. Internal Conflicts: Conflict with his own beliefs: Montag, at the beginning of th...
Post a Comment
Read more

In A People's History of the United States, why does Howard Zinn feel that Wilson made a flimsy argument for entering World War I?

"War is the health of the state," the radical writer Randolph Bourne said, in the midst of the First World War. Indeed, as the nations of Europe went to war in 1914, the governments flourished, patriotism bloomed, class struggle was stilled, and young men died in frightful numbers on the battlefields-often for a hundred yards of land, a line of trenches. -- Chapter 14, Page 350, A People's History of the United States Howard Zinn outlines his arguments for why World War I was fought in the opening paragraph of Chapter 14 (referenced above). The nationalism that was created by the Great War benefited the elite political and financial leadership of the various countries involved. Socialism, which was gaining momentum in Europe, as was class struggle, took a backseat to mobilizing for war. Zinn believes that World War I was fought for the gain of the industrial capitalists of Europe in a competition for capital and resources. He states that humanity itself was punished by t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Where did Atticus take the light and extension cord in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with... Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with Jim if that’s what it takes to protect him.  Atticus tells the men that he will make sure his client gets his fair shake at the law.  “Link, that boy might go to the chair, but he’s not going till ...
Post a Comment
Read more