I don't think the two men deserve the fate of being eaten by a pack of wolves on a cold winter night as they lay trapped under a fallen tree. Admittedly, they are in this predicament because of their bitter feud over a piece of land. However, being trapped together allows them to see each other's humanity for the first time.

Ulrich, for example, is warmed by drinking some of the wine he has in a flask. He realizes that Georg must be as cold as he is. Perceiving Georg as a fellow human rather than an enemy, he offers him some wine.

As he comes to consider the feud, Ulrich starts to think they both have been fools. He says to Georg:

Neighbour, if you will help me to bury the old quarrel I – I will ask you to be my friend.

Georg, in turn, softens and has a change of heart about Ulrich:

I never thought to have wanted to do other than hate you all my life, but I think I have changed my mind about things too, this last half-hour. And you offered me your wine flask … Ulrich von Gradwitz, I will be your friend.

It is sad and ironic that just at the moment both come to reconciliation, they are about to die. It seems now that they have both come to their senses and forgiven each other, they should be allowed to live.