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Description
Wolfram von Eschenbach is acknowledged to be one of the greatest poets of the German Middle Ages, perhaps the greatest, and as a narrative writer he can stand comparison with Chr茅tien de Troyes, Dante and Chaucer. Parzival, an adaptation of Chr茅tien鈥檚 Arthurian and Grail romance Le Conte du Graal, is a work of astonishing depth and complexity which is further distinguished by a forceful and interventionist narrator-figure who engages in lively debate with his subject matter and above all with his readers (or listeners).
The module will focus on the medieval German text of Parzival in its entirety. We will refer to Wolfram鈥檚 treatment of his French source and will set him in his historical context - literary, political, social and religious. Topics to be covered will include narrative strategies, codes and techniques; history and fictionality; ideologies of chivalry and nobility; gender; courtly culture; religious belief.
Suggested Reading
- Wolfram von Eschenbach: Parzival, ed. Eberhard Nellmann, 2 vols, Frankfurt am Main 2006
- Wolfram von Eschenbach: Parzival, translated by A.T. Hatto, London 1980
- Wolfram von Eschenbach: Parzival, translated by Cyril Edwards, Cambridge 2004 (reprinted in Oxford World鈥檚 Classics)
- Joachim Bumke, Wolfram von Eschenbach, 8th edn, Stuttgart 2004
- Dennis Green, The Art of Recognition in Wolfram鈥檚 鈥楶arzival鈥�, Cambridge 1982
Please note: This module description is accurate at the time of publication. Amendments may be made prior to the start of the academic year.
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 8th April 2024.
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