The Nibelungenlied · Chapter
Adventure XXXV: How Iring Was Slain explained
Iring of Denmark challenges Hagen to single combat, but after a fierce exchange with Hagen, Volker, Gunther, Gernot, and Giselher, he is mortally wounded by Hagen's javelin.
What happens
Iring of Denmark challenges Hagen to single combat, but after a fierce exchange with Hagen, Volker, Gunther, Gernot, and Giselher, he is mortally wounded by Hagen's javelin. His death spurs the Danes and Thuringians to attack, but all are slain by the Burgundians, leaving the hall silent and blood-soaked.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Reputation
Iring's challenge to Hagen is driven by his reliance on honor, and his kinsmen reluctantly allow single combat to preserve his reputation.
Revenge and Vengeance
Kriemhilda's gratitude for Iring wounding Hagen and her grief at his death underscore the cycle of vengeance driving the conflict.
Betrayal and Deception
Volker accuses Iring of falsehood for bringing a thousand men despite swearing single combat, highlighting themes of broken oaths.
Characters to notice
- Hagen
Engages Iring in single combat, is wounded but ultimately kills Iring with a javelin, then slays Haward.
- Iring
Danish margrave who challenges Hagen, fights multiple Burgundians, wounds Hagen, but is killed by Hagen's javelin.
- Volker
Fiddler who fights Iring, kills Irnfried, and stands guard after the battle.
- King Gunther
Fights Iring without wounding him, later laments the slaughter.
- Gernot
Fights Iring and nearly kills him, later fights in the hall.
- Giselher
Strikes Iring down with a blow that leaves him senseless, later fights in the hall.
- Kriemhilda
Thanks Iring for wounding Hagen, weeps over his body, and laments his death.
- Irnfried
Thuringian lord who fights Volker and is killed by him.
Key passages
“I have in all my doings on honour long relied, And in the people's battles oft gain'd the mastery: Now bring to me my weapons; Hagen I will defy!”
Iring declares that his actions have always been guided by honor and he has often been victorious in battle, so he demands his weapons to challenge Hagen.
Iring's motivation for the duel is rooted in his personal honor.
“Now call me not a liar, the liege of Haward said, I'm ready to accomplish what I have promisèd; For fear of no man living will I my word disown; How dread so e'er be Hagen, I'll stand to him alone.”
Iring insists he is not a liar and is prepared to fulfill his promise to fight Hagen alone, regardless of how fearsome Hagen is.
Iring defends his honor against Volker's accusation of deceit.
“I pray thee stint thy weeping, most noble lady mine, For what avails thy sorrow? I must my life resign Because of wounds and damage that have been dealt on me. No more will death allow me Etzel to serve and thee.”
Iring asks Kriemhilda to stop crying, saying her grief is useless because he is dying from his wounds and can no longer serve King Etzel or her.
Iring's final words to Kriemhilda acknowledge his impending death.
