But Fricka says to Wotan that he is wrong : Siegmund can not be a free hero if he is being protected by Wotan . Wotan protests that he requires a free hero ( i.e. one that is not ruled by him ) to aid his plans , but Fricka retorts that Siegmund is not a free hero , but Wotan 's creature and unwitting pawn . Backed into a corner , Wotan promises Fricka that Siegmund is to die .