King Gunther wants to make the beautiful Brunhild his wife and asks for her hand. Brunhild, whose love is still Siegfried, challenges her admirer to a duel. With a trick Gunther succeeds in defeating Brunhild and in doing so finally gets her to become his wife. Burgund is in high spirits and couples Gunther - Brunhild and Siegfried - Kriemhild agree in a double wedding with devastating consequences.