Story Summary
Discover the tragic legend of Undine, a water sprite who gains a human soul through love, only to face betrayal and a fatal destiny in this classic fairy tale.
In a secluded cottage between a dark forest and a great lake, an old fisherman and his wife raised a foster daughter named Undine. She was a water sprite, beautiful and wild, lacking a human soul until she could marry a mortal. When the knight Huldbrand sought shelter from a storm, he fell under her spell. They married, and as the priest blessed their union, Undine received the gift of a soul, transforming from a flighty spirit into a gentle, loving woman. However, their happiness was shadowed by Undine’s uncle, the powerful water spirit Kühleborn. As they returned to the city, Huldbrand’s heart strayed toward the noble Bertalda. Disturbed by Undine’s supernatural origins, he grew cruel. During a voyage on the Danube, Huldbrand cursed Undine, and she was snatched away by the waves. Believing her gone, Huldbrand prepared to marry Bertalda. But on their wedding night, Undine arose from a courtyard fountain. She entered Huldbrand’s room and, with a kiss of tears, drew the breath from his body, fulfilling the law of the spirits that demanded his life for his betrayal.
The Moral
True love and spiritual bonds carry a weight of responsibility that cannot be discarded without grave consequences.
“I have wept him to death.”
Fun Fact
The name 'Undine' comes from the Latin word 'unda,' meaning wave, and was originally a term used by the alchemist Paracelsus to describe water spirits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of Undine?
The story highlights the price of gaining a soul and the gravity of breaking a spiritual vow. It teaches that love involves profound responsibility and that betrayal often leads to one's own destruction.
What kind of creature is Undine?
Undine is a water elemental or nymph, based on the theories of Paracelsus. These creatures are said to be soulless unless they can bind themselves to a human through marriage.
Why did Undine have to kill Huldbrand?
According to the laws of the water spirits, if a mortal husband is unfaithful to his elemental wife, she is bound by fate to take his life. It is a tragic necessity of her nature rather than an act of revenge.
Who wrote the most famous version of Undine?
The most famous version was a novella by Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué, published in 1811. It became a landmark work of the German Romantic movement.
Is Undine related to The Little Mermaid?
Yes, Hans Christian Andersen was deeply influenced by Undine. Both stories share the theme of a water-dwelling being seeking immortality and a soul through the love of a mortal.
What happens to Undine at the end?
After Huldbrand's death, Undine transforms into a silver spring that flows around his grave. She remains there forever, encircling her lost love in a watery embrace.