A Drink of Forgetfulness and a New Marriage

Did the drink of forgetfulness make Gudrun agree to marry?

In *The Lay of Gudrun 2*, Gudrun lives in Denmark after losing her husband. Her mother, Grimhild, gives her a cold, bitter drink. It contains enchanted earth, cold seawater, and pig's blood.

After drinking it, Gudrun forgets that her husband was murdered. Her mother tells her that she will gain wealth by becoming Atli's wife. She also promises her the gold and rings her father left behind.

Atli is Brynhild's brother. Gudrun says she will not marry him, but her mother keeps pressing her. At last, Gudrun is forced into an unwanted marriage for her family's sake.

In *The Slaying of the Niflungs*, Atli holds Gudrun's family responsible for Brynhild's death. To settle the quarrel, an agreement is made that Gudrun will become his wife. She is given the drink of forgetfulness before she agrees to the marriage.

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