The Nibelungenlied · Chapter
Adventure XXXIV: How They Cast Forth the Dead explained
After a fierce battle, the Burgundian knights, led by Giselher, Hagen, and Volker, clear the hall of seven thousand dead Huns, casting them outside.
What happens
After a fierce battle, the Burgundian knights, led by Giselher, Hagen, and Volker, clear the hall of seven thousand dead Huns, casting them outside. Volker taunts the Huns for their cowardice and kills a margrave attempting to rescue a wounded kinsman. Hagen and Volker then parley with King Etzel, with Hagen insulting Kriemhild by recalling her love for Siegfried. Enraged, Kriemhild offers a reward of gold and lands for Hagen's death, but Volker mocks the Huns for their hesitation.
Themes in this chapter
Revenge and Vengeance
Kriemhilda's offer of a reward for Hagen's head underscores her relentless pursuit of vengeance for Siegfried's murder.
Honor and Reputation
Volker and Hagen's taunts about cowardice highlight the importance of bravery and honor in battle.
Betrayal and Deception
Hagen's public reminder of Kriemhilda's past love for Siegfried exposes the betrayal underlying her marriage to Etzel.
Characters to notice
- Hagen
Leans on his shield with Volker after battle, follows Giselher's counsel to cast out the dead, and later taunts Etzel and Kriemhild.
- Volker
Stands with Hagen, taunts the Huns as cowards, kills a margrave with a lance, and mocks the Huns for their reluctance to attack.
- Giselher
Orders the removal of the dead from the hall, showing leadership and foresight.
- Etzel
Grips his shield to join the fight but is restrained by Kriemhild, who warns him of Hagen's danger.
- Kriemhilda
Warns Etzel against confronting Hagen, is enraged by Hagen's taunt about Siegfried, and offers a reward for Hagen's death.
Key passages
“Down sat the knights and nobles, by all their labours spent; Before the hall together Volker and Hagen went. These warriors over-weary lean’d on their shields for rest; The while betwixt the couple pass’d many a ready jest.”
The exhausted knights and nobles sat down, while Volker and Hagen stood before the hall, leaning on their shields and exchanging jokes.
Depicts the camaraderie and exhaustion of the Burgundian warriors after battle.
“Now witness I the truth of what hath been told to me: Base cowards are these Hunsmen, they wail like womankind! These sorely wounded bodies they ought to tend and bind.”
Volker declares that the Huns are cowards for wailing like women instead of tending to their wounded.
Volker's taunt emphasizes the theme of honor and the contempt for cowardice.
“Who Hagen, Lord of Tronjé, will do to death,” she said, “And hither at my bidding will bring to me his head, For him the shield of Etzel I’ll fill with ruddy gold, And give him lands for guerdon, and goodly burghs to hold.””
Kriemhilda promises to fill Etzel's shield with gold and grant lands and castles to anyone who kills Hagen and brings her his head.
Highlights Kriemhilda's vengeful determination and the value placed on Hagen's life.