Chivalry in Twelfth Century Germany: The Works of Hartmann von Aue (Arthurian Studies, 34) (Volume 34) - Hardcover

Jackson, W.H.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0859914313 ISBN 13: 9780859914314

Publisher: D.S.Brewer, 1995

Synopsis

`Concerned principally to situate Hartmann's works in their social and cultural historical context, Jackson's carefully constructed and lucidly written book will be required and compelling reaading at every level of interest, from undergraduate student to specialist scholar. It expounds knighthood as the major theme of Hartmann's varied oeuvre, reflected and refracted through the prism of different genres, fictional material and narrative positions. Jackson's unrivalled grasp of the historical evidence for the material, social and ideological dimensions of chivalry in the twelfth century is brought to bear on the texts in a way which never reduces these to mere functions of an extra-literary reality, but brings out the subtle and dynamic interplay of their aesthetic patterns and documentary correlatives... The book also builds up a persuasive framework for understanding Hartmann's literary production as a whole and for grasping it as an evolving reflection of and on knighthood as the key mode and model of social self-realisation for his chivalric audience.' FORUM FOR MODERN LANGUAGE STUDIES Hartmann von Aue is a major figure in medieval German literature, and his works document key features of the history of chivalry in an important phase of transition and consolidation. This book is the first full-scale enquiry undertaken of the presentation of the role of knighthood across the full range of Hartmann's works, considering the social, ideological and literary dimensions of chivalry and fruitfully combining literary, linguistic and historical approaches. The opening chapters place Hartmann's works in the broader perspective of Arthurian literature and of kingship and chivalry in western Europe, and in the context of the changing historical reality of knighthood as a military and a social order in twelfth-century Germany. Further chapters are devoted to each of his works, Erec, Gregorius, the Klage and his lyrics, Der arme Heinrich and Dwein, which are interpreted both with a historical

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Review

A richly informative study which consistently shows the benefits to be derived from a treatment of the subject in relation to Hartmann's works in their entirety, from a thorough knowledge of the most recent scholarship on Hartmann and on the historical, legal, and cultural background, from detailed comparisons of Hartmann's texts with their known sources, and from a superbly integrated assessment of the linguistic, literary, and external evidence. The view of Hartmann's `literary self-interpretation of knighthood' which emerges is convincing through ist meticulous demonstration of an author at pains to criticise, but not reject, his profession in a period of transition. YEAR'S WORK IN MODERN LANGUAGE STUDIESThe first book in English to cover the whole production of Hartmann von Aue (fl.1180-1203), a figure of paramount importance in the history of medieval German literature... His book is refreshing...and full of stimulating ideas. MEDIUM AEVUM This extremely perceptive analysis of the works of Hartmann von Aue in relation to the social, legal and political realities of the later twelfth century in Germany constitutes a formidable...(contd short)

Edition details

• Publisher: D.S.Brewer
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 0859914313
• ISBN 13: 9780859914314
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 336