The Nibelungenlied · Chapter
Adventure XXXVIII: How Lord Dietrich’s Warriors All Were Slain explained
The chapter recounts the aftermath of Rüdeger's death, as Dietrich's warriors, led by the aged Hildebrand and the fiery Wolfhart, confront the Burgundians in grief and anger.
What happens
The chapter recounts the aftermath of Rüdeger's death, as Dietrich's warriors, led by the aged Hildebrand and the fiery Wolfhart, confront the Burgundians in grief and anger. Despite Dietrich's attempts to maintain peace, his men arm themselves and demand Rüdeger's body, leading to verbal sparring with Volker and Hagen. The tension escalates as Hildebrand is wounded by Hagen, and Dietrich learns that all his liegemen except himself and Hildebrand have been slain, leaving him in despair.
Themes in this chapter
Loyalty and Friendship
Dietrich's warriors mourn Rüdeger as a faithful friend and exile, and their demand for his body underscores the bonds of loyalty among the Amelungs.
Revenge and Vengeance
Wolfhart and others seek vengeance for Rüdeger's death, leading to armed confrontation and the eventual slaughter of Dietrich's warriors.
Fate and Foreboding
Dietrich's lament that he is 'God-forsaken' and his recognition of inevitable doom highlight the theme of inescapable fate.
Characters to notice
- Hagen
Hagen wounds Hildebrand and remains defiant alongside Gunther, representing the last of the Burgundian resistance.
- King Gunther
Gunther speaks in defense of honoring Rüdeger's body, but refuses to surrender it, maintaining his stance against Dietrich's men.
- Volker
Volker taunts Wolfhart and the Amelungs, provoking them with sharp words and threatening violence.
- Hildebrand
The aged Hildebrand is sent by Dietrich to negotiate, but is wounded by Hagen and flees, reporting the dire news to his lord.
- Wolfhart
The fiery Wolfhart urges armed confrontation, argues with Volker, and is restrained by Hildebrand, embodying the Amelungs' grief and rage.
- Lord Dietrich
Dietrich mourns the loss of Rüdeger and his own warriors, lamenting his fate and the destruction of his retinue.
- Rüdeger
Rüdeger is dead, slain by Gernot, and his body becomes the focal point of the conflict between the Burgundians and Dietrich's men.
- Helfrich
Helfrich is sent by Dietrich to investigate the wailing and returns weeping with news of Rüdeger's death.
Key passages
“Then he of Bern made answer: 'Ye are but served aright! Seeing that ye had heard me swear friendship with the knight, And then ye break the peace-pledge granted to him by me: Would it not ever shame me your life should forfeit be.'”
Dietrich rebukes Hildebrand for breaking the peace he had sworn with the Burgundians, saying that Hildebrand deserves his wound for violating the pledge.
Dietrich emphasizes the importance of sworn oaths and the shame of breaking them, even in grief.
“Then spake the fiddle-player: 'Yonder I see them go, The followers of Dietrich— in semblance of a foe, With weapons and in helmets: us mean they to withstand. I trow for us poor exiles misfortune is at hand.'”
Volker observes Dietrich's men approaching armed and armored, interpreting their hostile appearance as a sign of impending trouble for the Burgundians.
Volker's keen perception foreshadows the violent confrontation to come.
“Then spake the gallant Wolfhart: 'I will myself be gone And ask about the matter, what 'tis that they have done. And then I will report it to you, my master dear, When yonder I discover what mean the cries we hear.'”
Wolfhart volunteers to investigate the loud wailing, promising to report back to Dietrich what has happened.
Wolfhart's eagerness contrasts with Dietrich's caution, setting up the conflict.
