In the final part of the Nibelung tetralogy, Siegfried goes out into the world, gets caught up in Hagen's intrigues and is murdered by him. Dying, he remembers his love for Brünnhilde. She finally succeeds in cleansing the ring of its curse before the Rhine regains it. Valhalla, the castle of the gods, goes up in flames and the people witness the downfall of the race of gods with great emotion.