The Nibelungenlied · Chapter
Adventure XXXI: How They Went to Church explained
As morning breaks, Hagen warns the Burgundians to arm themselves fully for church, anticipating Kriemhilda's treachery.
What happens
As morning breaks, Hagen warns the Burgundians to arm themselves fully for church, anticipating Kriemhilda's treachery. At the Minster, Hagen and Volker stand defiantly, refusing to yield space to the queen's retinue. Later, at the feast, Kriemhilda persuades Bloedel to attack the Burgundians by promising him land and Nudung's betrothed. She then brings her young son Ortlieb to the table, where Hagen insults the child, foreshadowing the coming violence.
Themes in this chapter
Betrayal and Deception
Kriemhilda deceives Etzel and the Burgundians by plotting revenge under the guise of hospitality, while Hagen's insult to Ortlieb masks his true hostile intent.
Revenge and Vengeance
Kriemhilda's relentless pursuit of vengeance for Siegfried's murder drives her to manipulate Bloedel and use her own son as a pawn to provoke conflict.
Honor and Reputation
Hagen and Volker's defiant stance at the Minster asserts Burgundian honor, while Etzel's concern for his guests' treatment reflects his own sense of honor.
Power and Wealth
Kriemhilda uses promises of land and gold to secure Bloedel's loyalty, demonstrating how material rewards are leveraged for political and personal gain.
Characters to notice
- Hagen
Warns the Burgundians to wear armor to church, stands defiantly with Volker at the Minster, and later insults King Etzel's son Ortlieb, provoking the king's anger.
- Kriemhilda
Plots revenge against the Burgundians, persuades Bloedel to attack by promising land and a bride, and brings her son Ortlieb to the table to provoke conflict.
- Volker
Stands with Hagen at the Minster, refusing to yield space to Kriemhilda's retinue, and helps maintain the Burgundians' defiant stance.
- Etzel
Questions why the Burgundians are armed, offers to make amends, and is troubled by Hagen's insult to his son Ortlieb, though he remains unaware of Kriemhilda's plot.
- Bloedel
Agrees to attack the Burgundians after Kriemhilda promises him land and Nudung's betrothed, though he fears Etzel's reaction.
- Ortlieb
Kriemhilda's young son, brought to the table by her command; Hagen insults him, sealing the boy's doom.
- King Gunther
Present at the feast, though not directly active in the chapter's events; his men are the target of Kriemhilda's revenge.
Key passages
“So cold I feel my armour: quoth Volker presently, Methinks the night is wearing and soon will ended be; I mark that by the breezes; ’twill very soon be day.”
Volker says his armor feels cold and notes that the night is ending, as the breeze signals dawn.
Volker's observation marks the transition from night to morning, setting the scene for the day's events.
“Ye should, instead of roses, bear weapons in the hand. For caps beset with jewels take shining helms and good; Since we are well-advisèd of wicked Kriemhild’s mood.”
Hagen advises the Burgundians to exchange their decorative attire for weapons and helmets, warning them of Kriemhilda's hostile intentions.
Hagen's pragmatic counsel underscores the impending danger and his distrust of Kriemhilda.
“If unto days of manhood the child should grow and thrive, These thanes, I trow, said Hagen, their trust to him will give. Yet the young king, meseemeth, is of a weakly sort: Folk will not often see me attending Ortlieb’s court.”
Hagen sarcastically remarks that if Ortlieb lives to adulthood, the thanes might trust him, but he dismisses the child as weak and implies he will not serve him.
Hagen's insult to Ortlieb is a deliberate provocation, foreshadowing the boy's death and escalating the conflict.
