The Nibelungenlied · Chapter
Adventure XXXIII: How the Burgundians Fought with the Huns explained
Dankwart bursts into the hall covered in blood, reporting that Bloedel and his men have killed the Burgundian retainers, but that he himself slew Bloedel.
What happens
Dankwart bursts into the hall covered in blood, reporting that Bloedel and his men have killed the Burgundian retainers, but that he himself slew Bloedel. Hagen then kills the young prince Ortlieb and the minstrel Werbel, sparking a massive battle. Volker joins in with his fiddle-bow, and the Burgundian kings Gunther, Gernot, and Giselher also fight. Dietrich of Bern negotiates safe passage for himself, Etzel, and Kriemhilda, and Rüdeger and his men are allowed to leave. The Huns in the hall are all slain.
Themes in this chapter
Revenge and Vengeance
Hagen and the Burgundians exact brutal revenge for the killing of their men, escalating the conflict into a massacre.
Betrayal and Deception
The feast turns into a trap, with Kriemhilda's hidden agenda leading to the slaughter of the Burgundian retainers.
Loyalty and Friendship
Volker and Hagen fight side by side, demonstrating unwavering loyalty to each other and to King Gunther.
Characters to notice
- Dankwart
Enters the hall bloodied, announces the death of the Burgundian retainers and his slaying of Bloedel.
- Hagen
Kills the child Ortlieb and the minstrel Werbel, then leads the slaughter of the Huns.
- Volker
Fights fiercely with his fiddle-bow, killing many Huns and earning Etzel's dread.
- King Gunther
Fights alongside his brothers and later negotiates with Dietrich to allow him and his men to leave.
- Gernot
Fights valiantly with a sword given by Rüdeger, killing many Huns.
- Giselher
Joins the battle and later grants Rüdeger and his men safe passage.
- Lord Dietrich
Negotiates safe exit from the hall for himself, Etzel, and Kriemhilda, and leads six hundred men out.
- Etzel
Leaves the hall with Dietrich, lamenting the destruction caused by Volker.
Key passages
“Bestir thee, brother Hagen, thou sittest all too long! To thee and God in Heaven appeal I in our need: Yeomen and knights together lie in the hostel dead.”
Dankwart urges Hagen to act, reporting that all their men have been killed in the hostel.
Dankwart's cry for help triggers the battle.
“Then the child Ortlieb slew he, Hagen, that warrior good, so that from sword-blade downward flow'd o'er his hands the blood; The infant's head was sever'd and on the queen's lap fell.”
Hagen kills the young prince Ortlieb, causing his head to fall into Kriemhilda's lap.
Hagen's brutal act ignites the full-scale battle.
“Woe for my hand! cried Werbel the minstrel: wilt thou say What evil I have done thee, Lord Hagen of Tronjé? In all good faith I journey'd unto your master's land; The notes how can I finger since I have lost my hand?”
Werbel laments the loss of his hand, protesting his innocence and his role as a messenger.
Hagen's mutilation of the minstrel shows his indiscriminate fury.
“Right evil sound his measures, his strokes are bloody red; Ay, and his tunes have smitten full many a hero dead. I know not what against us this minstrel doth attest, For never have I harbour'd so downright ill a guest!”
Etzel laments that Volker's music is deadly, calling him the worst guest he has ever hosted.
Etzel's perspective on Volker's deadly minstrelsy.
