Girdle Power

In both the Nibelungenlied and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight a girdle has a major impact in the action of the story. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight the green girdle almost leads to Gawain's demise, but only ends up being a symbol of his deceit and fear. In the Nibelungenlied Brunhild’s girdle becomes a strong piece of the argument between Brunhild and Kriemhild. It is, of course, this argument that leads to the ultimate destruction.

Why is it that a woman’s intimate garment can cause so much trouble for our medieval friends? While the green girdle does not seem quite as treacherous as Brunhild’s girdle (perhaps because the green girdle was given away and Brunhild’s was forcefully taken…) it is still a source of guilt for Gawain. However the significant difference in treachery seems to be that the green girdle does not come from a monstrous woman, just a lady. And while the green girdle may or may not have magical power, it does not cause problems nearly as severe as Brunhild’s girdle does.

The female presence seems different in the Nibelungenlied compared to Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Of course Morgan swoops in at the end but she’s no Kriemhild. Morgan only fails to kill Guenevere, she does not incite the slaughter-fest of two entire kingdoms. It thus seems that the treachery of Brunhild’s girdle highlights the monstrosity of women who do not fit social expectations and take revenge. The girdle was taken from a quasi-monstrous figure, Brunhild, and ultimately reveals the most beautiful woman in the land, Kriemhild, as monstrous. Perhaps the girdle as an intimate garment is able to reveal the most personal traits.