Gudrun · Character

Hagen

Irish king who as a boy was snatched by a griffin and raised among strange maidens, later returning home to rule and give his daughter Hilda to Hettel.

supporting

Also known as King Hagen, wild Hagen, the mighty Hagen, the wild King Hagen, the lordly Hagen, great Hagen, the youthful Hagen

First appearance: Tale I: How Hagen Was Carried Off by the Griffin

As a supporting figure in Gudrun, Hagen is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Son of Sigeband and U-te, grandfather of Gudrun.

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With Hettel (family): Hagen is Hettel's vassal and close relative, serving as a loyal warrior and advisor. With Hilda (professional): Hagen serves Hilda as a loyal knight and protector of her family's honor. With…

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See Hagen in Tale I: How Hagen Was Carried Off by the Griffin

Character Web

15 connections

A slice of how Hagen sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Family
Professional
Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Norman and Hegeling characters
Protagonist

+10 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Gudrun’s su…

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Relationships

Hettel
family · positive
Hagen is Hettel's vassal and close relative, serving as a loyal warrior and advisor. How this plays out →
Hilda
professional · positive
Hartmut
rivalry · negative
Hettel
family · positive
Hagen is Hettel's vassal and close relative, serving as a loyal warrior and advisor. How this plays out →
Hartmut
rivalry · negative
Hettel
family · positive
Hagen is Hettel's vassal and close relative, serving as a loyal warrior and advisor. How this plays out →
Hilda
professional · positive
Hartmut
rivalry · negative
Hilda
professional · positive

Hettel
Hagen is Hettel's vassal and close relative, serving as a loyal warrior and advisor.
Hilda
Hagen serves Hilda as a loyal knight and protector of her family's honor.
Hartmut
Hagen is a fierce enemy of Hartmut, fighting to rescue Gudrun and avenge the abduction.
Hettel
Hagen is Hettel's vassal and close relative, serving as a loyal warrior and advisor.
Hartmut
Hagen is a fierce enemy of Hartmut, fighting to rescue Gudrun and avenge the abduction.
Hettel
Hagen is Hettel's vassal and close relative, serving as a loyal warrior and advisor.
Hilda
Hagen serves Hilda as a loyal knight and protector of her family's honor.
Hartmut
Hagen is a fierce enemy of Hartmut, fighting to rescue Gudrun and avenge the abduction.
Hilda
Hagen serves Hilda as a loyal knight and protector of her family's honor.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Hagen in Tale I: How Hagen Was Carried Off by the Griffin

In the story

Hagen appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Names of Persons
Son of Sigeband and U-te, grandfather of Gudrun.
Names of Places
King of Ireland; his chief city is Ballian.
Tale I: How Hagen Was Carried Off by the Griffin
Seven-year-old son of Sigeband, carried off by a griffin.
Tale II: How Hagen Slew the Griffin
The young prince of Ireland, carried off by a griffin, survives in a cave with three maidens, slays the griffins, and arranges their rescue.
How Hagen Sailed to His Home
Shows fierce strength and cunning, seizing control of the ship and forcing the sailors to bring him home to Ireland.
Tale IV: How Hagen Was Met by His Father and Mother
Reunited with his parents, receives rule of the kingdom, marries Hilda, and becomes a fierce warrior known as 'the Devil of kings.'
Tale V: How Wâ-te Was Sent to Ireland as a Suitor
King of Ireland, father of Hilda; he receives the suitors and offers to teach Wâ-te sword-play.
How Sweetly Horant Sang
King of Ireland, initially pleased by Horant's singing but grows wary of the guests' influence.
Tale VII: How the Maidens Came to See the Ship, and Were Carried to Hettel’s Kingdom
King Hagen is deceived while inspecting goods; he angrily pursues but is delayed by unready ships.
Tale VIII: How Hagen Followed His Daughter
Leads the Irish forces to rescue his daughter Hilda; engages in battle with Wâ-te and Hettel; eventually consents to Hilda's marriage.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Hagen unlock in the free preview.

See Hagen in Tale I: How Hagen Was Carried Off by the Griffin

See Hagen in Names of Persons