The Nibelungenlied · Chapter
Adventure XXXIX: How Gunther and Hagen and Kriemhilda Were Slain explained
Dietrich of Bern confronts Gunther and Hagen for the deaths of his men and Rüdeger, offering them safe passage if they surrender.
What happens
Dietrich of Bern confronts Gunther and Hagen for the deaths of his men and Rüdeger, offering them safe passage if they surrender. They refuse, leading to a fierce battle where Dietrich defeats and binds both Gunther and Hagen, handing them over to Kriemhilda. Despite Dietrich's plea for mercy, Kriemhilda demands vengeance, first beheading Gunther and then, after Hagen refuses to reveal the Nibelung treasure, killing him with Siegfried's sword. Hildebrand, enraged by the murder of a noble warrior, slays Kriemhilda. The chapter ends with Etzel and Dietrich mourning the fallen, and the tragic conclusion of the Nibelungs' woe.
Themes in this chapter
Revenge and Vengeance
Kriemhilda's relentless pursuit of vengeance culminates in the deaths of Gunther and Hagen, only to be killed herself, illustrating the destructive cycle of retribution.
Betrayal and Deception
Dietrich's offer of safe passage is met with suspicion and refusal, and Kriemhilda's promise to spare the hostages is broken, highlighting themes of mistrust and deceit.
Honor and Reputation
Hagen and Gunther refuse to surrender to preserve their honor as warriors, while Dietrich's concern for his reputation and the memory of his fallen men drives his actions.
Characters to notice
- Lord Dietrich
Confronts Gunther and Hagen, defeats and captures them, then hands them over to Kriemhilda, mourning the loss of his men.
- Hagen
Refuses Dietrich's offer of surrender, fights valiantly, is captured, and defiantly withholds the treasure's location before being slain by Kriemhilda.
- King Gunther
Refuses to surrender, fights Dietrich, is captured and bound, then beheaded by Kriemhilda's order.
- Kriemhilda
Takes revenge on Gunther and Hagen, beheading her brother and killing Hagen with Siegfried's sword, only to be slain by Hildebrand.
- Hildebrand
Assists Dietrich, urges peace, and ultimately kills Kriemhilda in vengeance for Hagen's murder.
- Etzel
Witnesses the slaughter, mourns deeply for Hagen and the fallen, and weeps with Dietrich.
Key passages
“Give up thyself as hostage, thou and thy liegeman there; Then I myself will guard ye with all my greatest care, Lest any of the Hunfolk should do ye aught of ill; In me thou shalt find nothing save faith and all goodwill.”
Dietrich offers to take Gunther and Hagen as hostages, promising to protect them from the Huns and ensure their safe return home.
Dietrich's attempt at a peaceful resolution is rejected, leading to further violence.
“Then will I end the matter! so spake the noble wife, And forthwith bade her liegemen to take her brother's life. They struck his head from off him, which by the hair she bore Before the Tronian hero; then was his grief full sore.”
Kriemhilda orders the execution of her brother Gunther, and she carries his severed head to Hagen, causing him great anguish.
Kriemhilda's vengeance escalates as she personally oversees the killing of her kin.
“She drew it from the scabbard— he could not hinder her— And of his life bethought her to rid that warrior. With both her hands she swung it, and smote his head right off: King Etzel saw her do it, his grief was sore enough.”
Kriemhilda takes Siegfried's sword and beheads Hagen with it, while Etzel watches in sorrow.
The act completes Kriemhilda's revenge, but also provokes Hildebrand's retaliation.
“Old Hildebrand cried: 'Truly she shall no gainer be That she hath dared to slay him! Whate'er befalled me, Although myself but lately to direst straits he brought, For this brave Tronian's murder I'll yet have vengeance wrought.'”
Hildebrand declares that Kriemhilda will not benefit from killing Hagen, and he vows to avenge the hero's death despite their recent conflict.
Hildebrand's sense of honor compels him to kill Kriemhilda, ending her life in turn.
