The Nibelungenlied · Chapter
Adventure XXXVII: How the Margrave Rüdeger Was Slain explained
Rüdeger is torn between his loyalty to King Etzel and Queen Kriemhilda and his bonds of friendship and kinship with the Burgundians, whom he himself led to the feast.
What happens
Rüdeger is torn between his loyalty to King Etzel and Queen Kriemhilda and his bonds of friendship and kinship with the Burgundians, whom he himself led to the feast. After being taunted by a Hun, he kills the man, then is beseeched by Etzel and Kriemhilda to fight. Despite his anguish and offers to renounce his lands, he ultimately leads his men into battle against the Burgundians, resulting in the deaths of his entire company and his own slaying at the hands of his son-in-law Giselher's allies. The chapter ends with Etzel and Kriemhilda mourning Rüdeger's death.
Themes in this chapter
Loyalty and Friendship
Rüdeger's internal conflict between his oath to Etzel and Kriemhilda and his friendship and kinship with the Burgundians is the central theme of the chapter.
Honor and Reputation
Rüdeger laments that his honor and noble breeding are lost regardless of his choice, and he is taunted for cowardice before being forced to act.
Betrayal and Deception
Rüdeger feels he must betray his guests and friends to fulfill his oath, and Kriemhilda later falsely accuses him of seeking peace.
Fate and Foreboding
Rüdeger foresees his own death and the loss of his lands and family, accepting that he must perish.
Characters to notice
- Rüdeger
The margrave is torn between his oath to Etzel and Kriemhilda and his bonds with the Burgundians, whom he hosted and gifted. He reluctantly leads his men into battle and is slain.
- Etzel
King Etzel, along with Kriemhilda, kneels to beg Rüdeger to fight, offering him lands and castles. He mourns deeply when Rüdeger is killed.
- Kriemhilda
Queen Kriemhilda reminds Rüdeger of his oath and pleads with him to avenge her. She later accuses him of seeking peace, but mourns him when he is slain.
- Giselher
Giselher, Rüdeger's son-in-law, mourns the margrave's death and calls him 'my lady's father.' He helps carry the body and laments the loss.
- Hagen
Hagen comments on the dire situation after Rüdeger's fall, noting the great injury suffered.
- Volker
Volker defends Rüdeger's honor against Kriemhilda's accusations, stating that Rüdeger served her to the end.
- King Gunther
Gunther is present with the other Burgundian leaders after the battle, mourning Rüdeger.
- Dankwart
Dankwart is among the Burgundian warriors who come to where Rüdeger and his men lie slain.
Key passages
“Now God have pity on me, that I have lived for this! Henceforward all mine honour I must for aye dismiss— My truth and noble breeding that erst from God I got! Woe on me, God in Heaven, that death hath saved me not!”
Rüdeger cries out in despair, saying that he will lose his honor and virtue no matter what he does, and wishes he had died before being forced into this impossible choice.
Rüdeger's lament highlights the tragic conflict between his oath and his moral integrity.
“Lord king, take back whatever from thee I have and hold, Both land and burghs: with neither will I have aught to do, But on my feet departing, will into exile go.”
Rüdeger offers to return all the lands and castles Etzel gave him and go into exile rather than fight his friends.
Rüdeger attempts to avoid the conflict by renouncing his wealth and position.
“To-day, with life, must ransom by Rüdeger be paid For what to me of kindness thou and my lord have shown: For that cause I must perish— and it must now be done.”
Rüdeger accepts that he must die today to repay the kindness Etzel and Kriemhilda have shown him.
Rüdeger resigns himself to his fate, seeing his death as the price of his obligation.
“Not so, alas! the story, most noble queen, I rede; And, dare I charge with falsehood a dame so nobly bred, Thee, devilishly lying of Rüdeger, I heard; For he and his companions from peace have sorely err'd.”
Volker rebukes Kriemhilda for falsely accusing Rüdeger of seeking peace, stating that he and his men fought fiercely and died.
Volker defends Rüdeger's honor after his death, contradicting Kriemhilda's accusation.
