The rise and fall of the hero Siegfried takes place in seven songs: he slays the dragon, captures the Nibe­ lung treasure and subdues twelve kings; he frees Krimhild and helps King Gunther to subdue Brunhild with a trick. But fate turns against Siegfried: the rivalry between Krimhild and Brunhild and Gunther's breach of loyalty are his undoing. Hagen Tronje treacherously kills the hero, but the deed remains unpunis­ hed.