# Tale IV: How Hagen Was Met by His Father and Mother explained — Gudrun

> Chapter companion for Gudrun by Anonymous.

## What happens

Hagen is reunited with his parents, King Sigeband and Queen Ute, and reconciles his father with the men who brought him home. He receives the government of the kingdom, marries Hilda from India, and they have a daughter also named Hilda. Hagen becomes a renowned and feared warrior, known as 'the Devil of kings,' and rejects all suitors for his daughter's hand.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Kinship

The reunion of Hagen with his parents and the establishment of his own family highlight the importance of blood ties and lineage.

### Honor and Reputation

Hagen's fierce reputation as 'the Devil of kings' and his refusal to give his daughter to weaker suitors underscore the value placed on martial honor and status.

### Love and Marriage

Hagen's marriage to Hilda from India and his protective stance toward his daughter's suitors reflect the intertwining of love, duty, and power in marital alliances.

## Character check-ins

### Hagen

Reunited with his parents, receives rule of the kingdom, marries Hilda, and becomes a fierce warrior known as 'the Devil of kings.'

### Sigeband

Hagen's father, who forgives the men who brought Hagen home and grants him the government.

### Ute

Hagen's mother, who joyfully welcomes him and provides clothing to the homeless maidens.

### Hilda

The maiden from India whom Hagen marries; she becomes queen and mother of young Hilda.

### Gudrun

Referenced as the daughter of Hagen and Hilda, also named Hilda, whose beauty attracts many suitors.

## Key lines

> The king a friendly welcome into his land soon gave; He said: 'To send men hither did you the boldness have, To say that our queen beloved is in truth your mother? If the words are true you've spoken, so glad as now I am there's not another.'

King Sigeband warmly welcomes Hagen and expresses his joy upon learning that the queen is indeed his mother.

_Highlights the emotional reunion and the king's acceptance of Hagen._

> Rightly his name was Hagen; but later men did own He was 'of kings the Devil;' so came he to be known In every land and kingdom, such was his strength in fighting.

Hagen earned the fearsome epithet 'the Devil of kings' due to his unmatched strength in battle.

_Emphasizes Hagen's martial prowess and fearsome reputation._

> He bade that more than twenty of those sent there be hung; None might wreak his anger, though sore his heart was wrung.

Hagen ordered the execution of over twenty suitors who came to woo his daughter, showing his ruthless protection of her.

_Illustrates Hagen's extreme possessiveness and the high stakes of courting his daughter._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-iv-how-hagen-was-met-by-his-father-and-mother
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