How the Nibelung Hoard Was Brought to Worms explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Betrayal and Deception

  Hagen and Gunther break their oaths to Kriemhilda, seizing the Nibelung hoard under false pretenses.

• Power and Wealth

  The Nibelung hoard represents immense wealth and power; Hagen fears Kriemhilda will use it to gain allies against him.

• Revenge and Vengeance

  Kriemhilda's grief and loss fuel her desire for vengeance, foreshadowing future conflict.

• Loyalty and Friendship

  Giselher and Gernot show loyalty to Kriemhilda, while Hagen's betrayal underscores the breakdown of trust.

Characters to notice

• Kriemhilda

  Mourns Siegfried for years, eventually reconciles with Gunther but not Hagen, receives the Nibelung hoard, and is later robbed of it by Hagen.

• Hagen

  Schemes to bring the Nibelung hoard to Worms, then seizes it from Kriemhilda and sinks it in the Rhine to prevent her from gaining allies.

• King Gunther

  Reluctantly allows Kriemhilda to keep the hoard but is persuaded by Hagen to break his oath and take it from her.

• Gernot

  Helps fetch the Nibelung hoard, later protests Hagen's theft, and suggests sinking the treasure to end the conflict.

• Giselher

  Supports Kriemhilda, threatens Hagen for his ill deeds, and promises to be her guardian.

• Alberich

  Keeper of the Nibelung hoard, reluctantly surrenders it to Kriemhilda's men, lamenting the loss of the Tarnhelm.

• Dame Uté

  Attempts to comfort Kriemhilda in her grief.

• Count Eckewart

  Remains with Kriemhilda after Siegfried's death, serving her faithfully.

Key passages

• “Now may you of this treasure a wondrous story hear: It took a dozen wagons it from the mount to bear; Four days and nights they ceased not to carry it away; And each must make the journey, so laden, thrice a day.”

  The hoard was so vast that twelve wagons were needed, each making three trips daily for four days and nights to transport it all.

  Describes the immense scale of the Nibelung treasure.

• “The oaths that they had taken they reckon’d all for naught. And from the widow’s keeping the mighty hoard they brought, And quietly did Hagen of all the keys get hold.”

  They disregarded their sworn oaths, and Hagen secretly took the keys and seized the treasure from Kriemhilda.

  Highlights the betrayal and theft of the hoard.

• “Before the mighty king came back to his home again, Hagen had meanwhile managed the treasure great to gain. Down in the Rhine at Lochheim he sank it bodily.”

  Before Gunther returned, Hagen took the treasure and sank it in the Rhine at Lochheim.

  Hagen's final act of treachery, hiding the hoard forever.