Volker of Alzei is a noble lord known as “the minstrel” because he plays the viol. He is Hagen’s faithful comrade-in-arms throughout the bloodbath in Etzel’s court. On the first night of the festival, he plays lullabies on his fiddle to help the other knights sleep. However, he also wields his fiddle-bow like a sword, making deadly “music.” He provokes Dietrich’s men into entering the fray and is killed by Hildebrand.
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Volker Character Timeline in The Nibelungenlied
The timeline below shows where the character Volker appears in The Nibelungenlied. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 1
...sad end.” Some of these knights include famed warriors such as Hagen, Dancwart, Ortwin, and Volker.
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Chapter 24
...agrees and goes about gathering knights for the State visit. One of these knights is Volker, a noble lord who also plays the viol and so is known as “The Minstrel.”...
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Chapter 26
...and thus has acquired some enemies on the journey. Distressed, the men decide to appoint Volker as their guide through hostile country.
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Chapter 27
...welcoming them with warm promises of hospitality in Pöchlarn, giving special attention to Hagen and Volker. That evening in Rüdiger’s hall, Rüdiger’s young daughter attracts the admiration of many knights. After...
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Chapter 28
...in private. Dietrich reveals that he hears Kriemhild weeping and grieving for Siegfried every morning. Volker points out that there’s no stopping whatever will befall them in Etzel’s court, so they...
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Chapter 29
Hagen asks Volker to accompany him as a comrade-in-arms. As the two sit in the palace courtyard, many...
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...wait until she publicly upbraids him. When he sees the Queen approaching with armed men, Volker promises Hagen his aid. Hagen then insists that the two remain seated when Kriemhild passes,...
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Chapter 30
...that, in spite of her hospitable treatment, Kriemhild means to do them harm. Hagen and Volker offer to keep watch so that the rest can sleep.
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The two take their stand outside the building, and Volker plays lullabies on his fiddle to help the other knights sleep. Overnight, Kriemhild tries to...
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Chapter 31
...this is probably the last time they will hear mass in their lives. Hagen and Volker stand guard outside the church.
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Hagen and Volker force the Huns to jostle around them in order to enter the church. After church,...
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Chapter 33
Volker leaps up from the table, wielding his fiddle-bow like a sword, and makes “loud music.”...
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...the fight along with Etzel, Kriemhild, and Rüdiger. Once outside the hall, Etzel laments that Volker’s “lays grate on the ear,” and that he has never had “so dreadful a guest.”...
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Chapter 37
...by this gesture, vowing that he must repay him by never touching him in battle. Volker joins him in this promise.
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Chapter 38
...civilly to learn what has happened. His nephew, Wolfhart, insists that they go armed. When Volker sees the group approach, he fears they will attack.
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...the truth about Rüdiger’s death, they weep. Hildebrand wishes to bear the Margrave’s body away. Volker refuses to hand over the corpse; they must come and get it. He and Hagen...
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