The Nibelungenlied · Chapter
Adventure XXVII: How They Came to Bechelaren explained
The Burgundian kings and their retinue arrive at Bechelaren, where they are warmly welcomed by Margrave Rüdeger, his wife Gotlinda, and their daughter.
What happens
The Burgundian kings and their retinue arrive at Bechelaren, where they are warmly welcomed by Margrave Rüdeger, his wife Gotlinda, and their daughter. The guests are lavishly entertained, and Rüdeger offers his daughter in marriage to Giselher. Generous gifts are exchanged, including a shield given to Hagen by Gotlinda. After a stay of several days, the party departs for Etzel's court, with foreboding signs of the tragedy to come.
Themes in this chapter
Loyalty and Friendship
Rüdeger's generous hospitality and old friendship with Hagen highlight bonds of loyalty.
Fate and Foreboding
The narrator notes that none of Rüdeger's men return alive, and the women weep, foreshadowing tragedy.
Betrayal and Deception
The friendly reception contrasts with the eventual betrayal and violence at Etzel's court.
Characters to notice
- Rüdeger
As host, he warmly welcomes the Burgundians, arranges hospitality, and offers his daughter to Giselher.
- Gotlinda
The margravine prepares to greet the guests, kisses the kings and Hagen, and later gifts a shield to Hagen.
- Hagen
Greeted as an old friend by Rüdeger; receives a valuable shield from Gotlinda.
- Volker
Greeted by Rüdeger, kissed by the margrave's daughter, and plays his fiddle for Gotlinda.
- Dankwart
Greeted by Rüdeger, kissed by the margrave's daughter, and receives rich apparel.
- Giselher
Betrothed to Rüdeger's daughter during the visit.
- King Gunther
Received as a guest and given a coat of mail by Rüdeger.
- Gernot
Given a sword by Rüdeger, which later proves fateful.
Key passages
“Then kiss'd the margrave's daughter the three kings fittingly, As also did her mother; Hagen was standing by, Her father bade her kiss him; she cast a look at him, And fain had she not done it— she thought he look'd so grim.”
Rüdeger's daughter kissed the three kings and her mother did the same, but when ordered to kiss Hagen, she hesitated because his stern appearance frightened her.
Highlights Hagen's intimidating presence and the tension beneath the courtly greetings.
“She spake unto the warrior: 'I'll give the shield to thee, But would to God in Heaven that still alive were he Who on his arm once bare it! In fight he was laid low, And I must aye bewail him: hence comes, poor me, my woe!'”
Gotlinda agreed to give Hagen the shield but lamented that its previous owner, Nudung, had been killed in battle, causing her ongoing grief.
Reveals Gotlinda's personal sorrow and the shield's symbolic connection to past violence.
“Alive to Bechelaren not one came back again!”
None of the five hundred men who left Bechelaren with Rüdeger survived to return.
A stark foreshadowing of the catastrophic battle to come.