User:Pfold/sandbox-mhg

• Middle High German literature

Iwein

Line numbers refer to the Benecke/Lachmann edition.

Kalogrenant's tale (ll. 31–944)

Whitsun festivities are taking place at the Arthurian court. The knight Kalogrenant tells how he rode out of the court in search of adventure (aventiure). After a night of outstanding hospitality at a castle, in the wilderness the next day he encounters a wild man herding wild animals, who asked him to explain what he meant by "adventure" and then directed him to a magic spring. Finding the spring, Kalogrenant pours water from it, bringing forth a destructive storm. The knight Askalon rides out to punish Kalogrenant for the damage the storm has done, and Kalogrenant is defeated in combat. He acknowledges his shame to the court.

First adventure cycle

Iwein determines to avenge his kinsman Kalogrenant's shame, but when the king vows to travel to the spring, Iwein sees his opportunity for renown threatened and secretly leaves the court on the quest.

After the same encounters as Kalogrenant Iwein arrives at the spring and pours water with the same result. However, in the ensuing combat Iwein succeeds in dealing a fatal wound to Askalon, who flees back to his castle. Iwein follows, but the falling portcullis cuts his horse in two and seals him in the gatehouse.

Through a small door, the lady-in-waiting Lûnete enters. Because of Iwein's past kindness towards her at Arthur's court, she offers to save him. She takes him to a nearby chamber and gives him a gem of invisibility, so that he will not be found by the court, which is now searching for him. From a window he sees Askalon's widow Laudine crying over the corpse and he immediately falls in love with her.

Iwein wants to approach Laudine, but Lûnete persuades him to remain hidden lest he be killed. She now approaches Laudine and convinces her that the victor over Askalon would be a worthy successor as husband and would be able to defend the spring. Lûnete introduces Iwein and Laudine, and, knowing that the spring will need to be defended when Arthur arrives, they are married.

When Arthur arrives and pours water from the spring, Kei volunteers to fight the defender, who defearts him and then reveals his identity to Arthur. The court then spends a week at the castle, celebrating Iwein's success in winning a castle and a wife.

Madness and healing (ll. 2763 3239–3654 )

As the court is preparing to leave, Gawan reminds Iwein of Erec's uxorious idleness and advises him to continue pursuing honour through chivalry. Laudine grants him leave to do so on the condition that he return in a year and a day.

Iwein leaves and devotes himself to tournaments, only to realise, too late, that he has missed Laudine's deadline by six weeks. Lunete appears at Arthur's court to denounce Iwein and take back Laudine's ring.

Now deprived of honour, Iwein leaves the court and sinks into madness, losing his identity. He lives in the forest as a wild man. Eventually he is discovered asleep by Lady of Narison, who gives her lady-in-waiting a magic ointment to cure Iwein. Iwein recognizes that he no longer belongs to courtly society.

Second adventure cycle (ll. 3655–7780)

The Lady of Narison offers hospitality to Iwein. He repays her kindness by defeating Count Alier, who had laid claim to her land. She and her people wish Iwein to marry her and become their lord, but for love of Laudine he rejects the offer and leaves.

As he rides away into the forest he encounters a lion and a dragon fighting. Deciding that the lion is the nobler beast, he slays the dragon. The lion surrenders to him and becomes his constant companion, providing him with a new identity as the Knight with the Lion.

Chance brings him back to the spring, where the memory of his loss causes him to faint and fall from his horse. Iwein is on the verge of losing his mind again. Then he finds Lunete at the spring; because of her role in the marriage and Iwein's faithlessness (untriuwe), she has been sentenced to death. The only means of proving her innocence is trial by combat, and the deadline is the following day. Iwein acknowledges his guilt and assures Lunete that he will fight for her.

Immediately thereafter, however, he also commits himself to assisting his host in the fight against the giant Harpin the following morning. With the lion's help, he is able to overcome this scheduling conflict by defeating the giant in time to also be able to successfully fight for Lunete.

Her accusers undergo the same punishment that was intended for her: they are burned at the stake. Laudine, who does not recognize the Knight of the Lion in his new identity, learns during this episode that the knight has lost the favor of a lady, and condemns it — unaware that she herself is the lady. Since their relationship is still unresolved, Iwein again leaves Laudine.

He then undertakes to defend the younger daughter of the Count of the Black Thorn in a conflict with her sister concerning their inheritance. With the girl, Iwein sets out for Castle Maladventure, where he must fight two giants in order to free three hundred noble ladies who are held captive in a workhouse.

After that, he rides with his companion to King Arthur's court, where a trial by combat is decreed. Iwein's friend, the exemplary Arthurian knight Sir Gawain, has declared himself the champion of the other sister. Without either knowing who the other is, Gawain and Iwein fight; neither is able to seal the victory. Only after darkness has fallen and the battle has been discontinued until the following day do they recognize each other while talking. King Arthur poses a trick question to the older sister, which causes her to betray herself, and grants the younger sister's claim. Iwein then reveals his identity and is joyfully welcomed back to the fellowship of the Round Table.

Return and reconciliation (ll. 7781–8166)

Although Iwein has gained great honor, he is sure that he will die of a broken heart. Once more in the guise of the Knight of the Lion, he returns to Laudine's court. However, he wins her back only after a comic intrigue on the part of Lunete: Laudine swears an oath to aid the Knight of the Lion who watered the stone at the spring in regaining his lady's favor. With that she must forgive Iwein, who expresses his deep regret and promises never again to risk losing her favor. The two renew their marriage and their love.

Shorter

Kalogrenant's tale (ll. 31–944)

Whitsun festivities are taking place at the Arthurian court. The knight Kalogrenant tells how he rode out of the court in search of adventure (aventiure). After a night of outstanding hospitality at a castle, in the wilderness the next day he encounters a wild man herding wild animals, who asked him to explain what he meant by "adventure" and then directed him to a magic spring. Finding the spring, Kalogrenant pours water from it, bringing forth a destructive storm. The knight Askalon rides out to punish Kalogrenant for the damage the storm has done, and Kalogrenant is defeated in combat. He acknowledges his shame to the court.

First adventure cycle

Iwein at the spring (ll. 925–1134)

Iwein determines to avenge his kinsman Kalogrenant's shame, but when the king vows to travel to the spring, Iwein sees his opportunity for renown threatened and secretly leaves the court on the quest.

After the same encounters as Kalogrenant Iwein arrives at the spring and pours water with the same result. However, in the ensuing combat Iwein succeeds in dealing a fatal wound to Askalon, who flees back to his castle. Iwein follows, but the falling portcullis cuts his horse in two and seals him in the gatehouse.

The Winning of Laudine (ll. 1135–2445)

Through a small door, the lady-in-waiting Lûnete enters. Because of Iwein's past kindness towards her at Arthur's court, she offers to save him. She takes him to a nearby chamber and gives him a gem of invisibility, so that he will not be found by the court, which is now searching for him. From a window he sees Askalon's widow Laudine crying over the corpse and he immediately falls in love with her.

Iwein wants to approach Laudine, but Lûnete persuades him to remain hidden lest he be killed. She now approaches Laudine and convinces her that the victor over Askalon would be a worthy successor as husband and would be able to defend the spring. Lûnete introduces Iwein and Laudine, and, knowing that the spring will need to be defended when Arthur arrives, they are married.

Visit of the Arthurian court (ll. 2446–3238)

When Arthur arrives and pours water from the spring, Kei volunteers to fight the defender, who defearts him and then reveals his identity to Arthur. The court then spends a week at the castle, celebrating Iwein's success in winning a castle and a wife.

Madness and healing (ll. 2763 3239–3654 )

As the court is preparing to leave, Gawan reminds Iwein of Erec's uxorious idleness and advises him to continue pursuing honour through chivalry. Laudine grants him leave to do so on the condition that he return in a year and a day.

Iwein leaves and devotes himself to tournaments, only to realise, too late, that he has missed Laudine's deadline by six weeks. Lunete appears at Arthur's court to denounce Iwein and take back Laudine's ring.

Now deprived of honour, Iwein leaves the court and sinks into madness, losing his identity. He lives in the forest as a wild man. Eventually he is discovered asleep by Lady of Narison, who gives her lady-in-waiting a magic ointment to cure Iwein. Iwein recognizes that he no longer belongs to courtly society.

Second adventure cycle (ll. 3655–7780)

The Lady of Narison and Count Alier (ll. 3655–3916)

The Lady of Narison offers hospitality to Iwein. He repays her kindness by defeating Count Alier, who had laid claim to her land. She and her people wish Iwein to marry her and become their lord, but for love of Laudine he rejects the offer and leaves.

The Lion

As he rides away into the forest he encounters a lion and a dragon fighting. Deciding that the lion is the nobler beast, he slays the dragon. The lion surrenders to him and becomes his constant companion, providing him with a new identity as the Knight with the Lion.

Lunete and Harpin

Lunete's captivity (ll. 3923–5540)

Chance brings him back to the spring, where the memory of his loss causes him to faint and fall from his horse. Iwein is on the verge of losing his mind again. Then he finds Lunete at the spring; because of her role in the marriage and Iwein's faithlessness (untriuwe), she has been sentenced to death. The only means of proving her innocence is trial by combat, and the deadline is the following day. Iwein acknowledges his guilt and assures Lunete that he will fight for her.

The Giant Harpin

Immediately thereafter, however, he also commits himself to assisting his host in the fight against the giant Harpin the following morning. With the lion's help, he is able to overcome this scheduling conflict by defeating the giant in time to also be able to successfully fight for Lunete.

The Freeing of Lunete

Her accusers undergo the same punishment that was intended for her: they are burned at the stake. Laudine, who does not recognize the Knight of the Lion in his new identity, learns during this episode that the knight has lost the favor of a lady, and condemns it — unaware that she herself is the lady. Since their relationship is still unresolved, Iwein again leaves Laudine.

The Inheritance dispute and the giants (ll. 5541–7780)

The Inheritance dispute

He then undertakes to defend the younger daughter of the Count of the Black Thorn in a conflict with her sister concerning their inheritance.

The captive noblewomen

With the girl, Iwein sets out for Castle Maladventure, where he must fight two giants in order to free three hundred noble ladies who are held captive in a workhouse.

Combat with Gawain

After that, he rides with his companion to King Arthur's court, where a trial by combat is decreed. Iwein's friend, the exemplary Arthurian knight Sir Gawain, has declared himself the champion of the other sister. Without either knowing who the other is, Gawain and Iwein fight; neither is able to seal the victory. Only after darkness has fallen and the battle has been discontinued until the following day do they recognize each other while talking. King Arthur poses a trick question to the older sister, which causes her to betray herself, and grants the younger sister's claim. Iwein then reveals his identity and is joyfully welcomed back to the fellowship of the Round Table.

Return and reconciliation (ll. 7781–8166)

Although Iwein has gained great honor, he is sure that he will die of a broken heart. Once more in the guise of the Knight of the Lion, he returns to Laudine's court. However, he wins her back only after a comic intrigue on the part of Lunete: Laudine swears an oath to aid the Knight of the Lion who watered the stone at the spring in regaining his lady's favor. With that she must forgive Iwein, who expresses his deep regret and promises never again to risk losing her favor. The two renew their marriage and their love.

Shorter

Kalogrenant's tale (ll. 31–944)

Whitsun festivities are taking place at the Arthurian court. The knight Kalogrenant tells how he rode out of the court in search of adventure (aventiure). After a night of outstanding hospitality at a castle, in the wilderness the next day he encounters a wild man herding wild animals, who asked him to explain what he meant by "adventure" and then directed him to a magic spring. Finding the spring, Kalogrenant pours water from it, bringing forth a destructive storm. The knight Askalon rides out to punish Kalogrenant for the damage the storm has done, and Kalogrenant is defeated in combat. He acknowledges his shame to the court.

First adventure cycle

Iwein at the spring (ll. 925–1134)

Iwein determines to avenge his kinsman Kalogrenant's shame, but when the king vows to travel to the spring, Iwein sees his opportunity for renown threatened and secretly leaves the court on the quest.

After the same encounters as Kalogrenant Iwein arrives at the spring and pours water with the same result. However, in the ensuing combat Iwein succeeds in dealing a fatal wound to Askalon, who flees back to his castle. Iwein follows, but the falling portcullis cuts his horse in two and seals him in the gatehouse.

The Winning of Laudine (ll. 1135–2445)

Through a small door, the lady-in-waiting Lûnete enters. Because of Iwein's past kindness towards her at Arthur's court, she offers to save him. She takes him to a nearby chamber and gives him a gem of invisibility, so that he will not be found by the court, which is now searching for him. From a window he sees Askalon's widow Laudine crying over the corpse and he immediately falls in love with her.

Iwein wants to approach Laudine, but Lûnete persuades him to remain hidden lest he be killed. She now approaches Laudine and convinces her that the victor over Askalon would be a worthy successor as husband and would be able to defend the spring. Lûnete introduces Iwein and Laudine, and, knowing that the spring will need to be defended when Arthur arrives, they are married.

Visit of the Arthurian court (ll. 2446–3238)

When Arthur arrives and pours water from the spring, Kei volunteers to fight the defender, who defearts him and then reveals his identity to Arthur. The court then spends a week at the castle, celebrating Iwein's success in winning a castle and a wife.

Madness and healing (ll. 2763 3239–3654 )

As the court is preparing to leave, Gawan reminds Iwein of Erec's uxorious idleness and advises him to continue pursuing honour through chivalry. Laudine grants him leave to do so on the condition that he return in a year and a day.

Iwein leaves and devotes himself to tournaments, only to realise, too late, that he has missed Laudine's deadline by six weeks. Lunete appears at Arthur's court to denounce Iwein and take back Laudine's ring.

Now deprived of honour, Iwein leaves the court and sinks into madness, losing his identity. He lives in the forest as a wild man. Eventually he is discovered asleep by Lady of Narison, who gives her lady-in-waiting a magic ointment to cure Iwein. Iwein recognizes that he no longer belongs to courtly society.

Second adventure cycle (ll. 3655–7780)

The Lady of Narison and Count Alier (ll. 3655–3916)

The Lady of Narison offers hospitality to Iwein. He repays her kindness by defeating Count Alier, who had laid claim to her land. She and her people wish Iwein to marry her and become their lord, but for love of Laudine he rejects the offer and leaves.

The Lion

As he rides away into the forest he encounters a lion and a dragon fighting. Deciding that the lion is the nobler beast, he slays the dragon. The lion surrenders to him and becomes his constant companion, providing him with a new identity as the Knight with the Lion.

Lunete and Harpin

Lunete's captivity (ll. 3923–5540)

Chance brings him back to the spring, where the memory of his loss causes him to faint and fall from his horse. Iwein is on the verge of losing his mind again. Then he finds Lunete at the spring; because of her role in the marriage and Iwein's faithlessness (untriuwe), she has been sentenced to death. The only means of proving her innocence is trial by combat, and the deadline is the following day. Iwein acknowledges his guilt and assures Lunete that he will fight for her.

The Giant Harpin

Immediately thereafter, however, he also commits himself to assisting his host in the fight against the giant Harpin the following morning. With the lion's help, he is able to overcome this scheduling conflict by defeating the giant in time to also be able to successfully fight for Lunete.

The Freeing of Lunete

Her accusers undergo the same punishment that was intended for her: they are burned at the stake. Laudine, who does not recognize the Knight of the Lion in his new identity, learns during this episode that the knight has lost the favor of a lady, and condemns it — unaware that she herself is the lady. Since their relationship is still unresolved, Iwein again leaves Laudine.

The Inheritance dispute and the giants (ll. 5541–7780)

The Inheritance dispute

He then undertakes to defend the younger daughter of the Count of the Black Thorn in a conflict with her sister concerning their inheritance.

The captive noblewomen

With the girl, Iwein sets out for Castle Maladventure, where he must fight two giants in order to free three hundred noble ladies who are held captive in a workhouse.

Combat with Gawain

After that, he rides with his companion to King Arthur's court, where a trial by combat is decreed. Iwein's friend, the exemplary Arthurian knight Sir Gawain, has declared himself the champion of the other sister. Without either knowing who the other is, Gawain and Iwein fight; neither is able to seal the victory. Only after darkness has fallen and the battle has been discontinued until the following day do they recognize each other while talking. King Arthur poses a trick question to the older sister, which causes her to betray herself, and grants the younger sister's claim. Iwein then reveals his identity and is joyfully welcomed back to the fellowship of the Round Table.

Return and reconciliation (ll. 7781–8166)

Although Iwein has gained great honor, he is sure that he will die of a broken heart. Once more in the guise of the Knight of the Lion, he returns to Laudine's court. However, he wins her back only after a comic intrigue on the part of Lunete: Laudine swears an oath to aid the Knight of the Lion who watered the stone at the spring in regaining his lady's favor. With that she must forgive Iwein, who expresses his deep regret and promises never again to risk losing her favor. The two renew their marriage and their love.

Minnesang

• Middle High German literature

Music

All Minnesang lyrics were written to be sung.

Genres

Minnesang has a range of different genres, some explicitly named in the lyrics.

Love-song (MHG minneliet)

Lady's song (German Frauenlied)

Nature song (MHG mailiet, sommerliet, winterliet)

"Wechsel" (literally, "exchange, alternation") — alternating strophes from knight and lady who, absent from each other, reflect on their relationship. The genre is charactertistic of early Minnesang and dies out in the early 13th century. Example: Der von Kürenberc II, 2–3; MF 8,1.

Messenger song (German Botenlied) — The knight or lady gives a message to a messenger for delivery to the beloved, or the messenger delivers such a message.

Crusading song kriuzliet — songs exploring the situation of the knight who has undertaken to go on crusade, forcing him to break off his service to his lady. The early German crusading songs are probably connected with the Third Crusade (1189–1192).

Dawn song tageliet, tagewîse — Lovers lament that they need to part at dawn after an illicit night together. The figure of the watchmen, who announces the break of day, is soemtimes introduced.

Pastourelle pasturêle – the sonmg narrates an amorous encounter between a knight and a non-noble girl out in the countryside. The genre has itss origins in medieval Latin and Romance lyric traditions.

Dance song tanzliet

Leich leich

Bibliography

• Christian, Peter (1989). "Text and Music in Minnesang". Forum for Modern Language Studies. XXV (4): 344–355. doi:10.1093/fmls/XXV.4.344.
• Klein D (1999). "Vortragsformen". In Bauthier, R-H (eds.). Lexikon des Mittelalters. Vol. VIII (2nd ed.). Stuttgart, Weimar: Walter De Gruyter. pp. 1861–1866. ISBN 3-476-01742-7.

Cramer, Thomas. Was hilfet äne sinne kunst? Lyrik im 13. Jahrhundert. Studien zu ihrer Asthetik. Berlin: Schmidt, 1998

“Gebrauchsfunktion Und Besitzgeschichte.” Der Codex Manesse: Geschichte, Bilder, Lieder, by Anna Kathrin Bleuler, 1st ed., Verlag C.H.Beck, München, 2018, pp. 116–136. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv1168m9c.8. Accessed 23 Feb. 2021.

Notes

Shorter narratives

In the post-classical period a major new development is that of a wealth of of new writing in short narrative forms, with few clear boundaries between genres and little conection with previous writing except in the religious sphere.

Märe is a modern term for a genre of MHG narratives (MHG mære) popular from the 13th century onwards, "a free-standing and self-contained story of medium length (about 150 to 2000 verses), composed in rhyming four-beat couplets and describing fictitious events of a non-religious and worldly character". Many are comic or satirical, often with a concluding moral, and with the introduction of peassant characters they represent a break from the style and subject matter of the Blütezeit. They were designed to be read in collections, such as the Housebook of Michael de Leone (c. 1350).

The genre was initiated by Der Stricker (active c. 1215 – c. 1250, a prolific poet with around 170 short narratives to his name (in addition to a number of longer works).

Konrad von Würzburg