Gudrun · Chapter
Tale II: How Hagen Slew the Griffin explained
Hagen, carried off by a griffin as a child, falls from its grasp and hides in a cave where he meets three kidnapped princesses.
What happens
Hagen, carried off by a griffin as a child, falls from its grasp and hides in a cave where he meets three kidnapped princesses. They raise him with wild food until he grows strong. One day, he finds washed-up armor and weapons, slays the griffins, and later persuades a passing ship's earl to rescue them all from the rocky island.
Themes in this chapter
Suffering and Endurance
Hagen endures hunger, isolation, and danger from griffins, growing up in hardship before overcoming his captors.
Fate and Divine Providence
God's protection is repeatedly invoked: Hagen is saved from being devoured, the maidens are preserved, and divine help enables his victory.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“Hagen, falling from the grasp of one of the young griffins, crawls into a cave, where he finds three young daughters of kings, who had also been carried off by the griffins.”
After being dropped by a young griffin, Hagen hides in a cave and discovers three kidnapped princesses living there.
Introduces the setting and the companions who will share Hagen's exile.
“He with strength but youthful the tightened string drew out, And arrows swift and many from the well-bent bow he shot. Alas! he did not hit him; what hope of his ill-luck turning? Then he of the sword bethought him; he heard the maids bewailing him and mourning.”
Hagen shoots arrows at the griffin but misses, then draws his sword and wounds the creature, eventually killing it.
Climactic moment where Hagen proves his bravery and skill, turning from prey to hunter.