ABSTRACT
In Norse mythology the giant, Fafhir, obtained the dwarfs' treasure by violence. In Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen, Fafner does not piay an active part in acquiring the treasure. It is stolen from the Ni be lungs by Wotan as a substitute payment for the building of Valhalla. The giants had originally been promised the goddess, Freia, as payment. Where Wagner does remain close to the sources is in having Fafner change himself into a dragon in order to guard the treasure, and also in having him killed by Siegfried.
