59 pages • 1 hour read
Wolfram Von EschenbachParzival
Fiction | Novel/Book in Verse | Adult | Published in 1215A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Background
Authorial Context: Wolfram von Eschenbach
Wolfram von Eschenbach was a renowned German poet born in the late 12th century. He is most famous for his epic poem Parzival, which is considered one of the greatest works of medieval German literature. Wolfram’s life is shrouded in mystery and much of what is known about him comes from his own writings and the writings of his contemporaries.
Wolfram was born in Eschenbach, a small town in Bavaria, Germany, sometime around 1170. Little is known about his early life, but it is believed that he was of noble birth and may have been educated at the court of the German emperor. He was fluent in several languages, including Middle High German, Middle High French, and Middle High Provençal. He was well-versed in the literature and culture of his time. Wolfram’s literary career began in earnest in the early 13th century, when he began writing poetry. He quickly gained a reputation as a skilled and innovative poet and his works were widely admired and circulated among the courts of Europe. It was during this time that he began work on Parzival.
Parzival was written in Middle High German, the language of the German court and nobility at the time. It is believed that Wolfram drew on a wide range of sources in writing the poem, including earlier versions of the Grail legend, Celtic and Arthurian mythology, and his own personal experiences and observations. The poem was written in a unique and innovative style, with a rich and complex rhyming scheme and a blend of narrative, dialogue, and philosophical reflection. Parzival was not an immediate success. It is believed that Wolfram struggled to find a patron who would support the publication and dissemination of the poem. However, it gradually gained popularity and today it is considered a masterpiece of medieval literature. In addition to Parzival, Wolfram wrote several other works of poetry and prose, including Willehalm, a chivalric romance, and Titurel, a poem based on the Grail legend and a prequel to Parzival.
Wolfram’s life outside of his literary career is largely unknown. He may have served as a knight at various courts throughout Germany and he may have been involved in several military campaigns. However, there is no conclusive evidence to support these claims. Wolfram died sometime around 1220, although the exact date and circumstances of his death are unknown. He was buried in the church at Eschenbach, where his tomb can still be seen today. Despite his relatively short life, Wolfram left a lasting legacy in the world of literature, and his works continue to be studied and celebrated to this day.
Literary Context: Arthurian Legends
The legend of King Arthur is one of the most enduring stories in Western literature. From its origins in medieval Wales to its countless retellings in modern times, the story of Arthur and his knights has captivated generations of readers and inspired countless works of literature, film, and art.
The origins of the Arthurian legend can be traced back to the early Welsh tales of The Mabinogion, a collection of myths and legends dating back to the 11th century. These tales, which were passed down through oral tradition, tell the story of a warrior hero named Arthur who defends his kingdom against invading forces and magical creatures. The Arthur of the Welsh tales is very different from the Arthur of later literature. He is portrayed as a brave and powerful warrior, but also as a flawed and human figure. He is often accompanied by a group of loyal knights, including his nephew, Gawain (Gawan), and his chief advisor, Merlin. One of the most important Welsh texts relating to the Arthurian legend is the Historia Regum Britanniae, a Latin chronicle written by Geoffrey of Monmouth in the 12th century. The Historia Regum Britanniae tells the story of King Arthur and his knights, as well as the history of Britain from its legendary founding to the Norman Conquest.
It was not until the 12th century that the Arthurian legend began to resemble its modern form. This was due in large part to the influence of French romance literature, which was popular among the ruling classes of Europe at the time. French writers such as Chretien de Troyes and Marie de France began to incorporate elements of the Arthurian legend into their works, and soon the legend began to take on a more chivalric and courtly tone.
One of the most important works of Arthurian literature from this period is the Vulgate Cycle, a collection of five romances written in Old French between the 13th and 14th centuries. The Vulgate Cycle tells the story of Arthur’s life from his birth to his death, and includes such well-known tales as the Lancelot-Grail, the Quest for the Holy Grail, and the Death of Arthur. The Vulgate Cycle was hugely influential in shaping the Arthurian legend and helping to establish the familiar characters and themes that we associate with the legend today. It also helped to popularize the concept of chivalry, which would become a defining feature of medieval literature.
Another important figure in the development of the Arthurian legend was the English writer Sir Thomas Malory. In the late 15th century, Malory wrote Le Morte d’Arthur, a compilation of earlier Arthurian tales that became one of the most important works of English literature. Le Morte d’Arthur tells the story of Arthur’s life, from his birth to his death, and includes famous episodes such as the sword in the stone, the quest for the Holy Grail, and the love affair between Lancelot and Guinevere. Le Morte d’Arthur is notable for its emphasis on the themes of honor, loyalty, and chivalry, as well as its complex and nuanced portrayal of the characters. Malory’s Arthur is a tragic figure, torn between his duty as a king and his personal desires, and his knights are portrayed as flawed and human, struggling to live up to the ideals of the chivalric code.
Socio-historical Context: The Chivalric Code
The chivalric code, also known as the code of chivalry, was a set of moral, ethical, and social rules that governed the behavior of knights in medieval Europe. The code was rooted in the values of honor, loyalty, courage, and courtesy. It played a significant role in shaping the culture of medieval Europe.
The concept of chivalry emerged in the 11th century, during the height of feudalism in Europe. At the time, knights were the warrior elite of society, serving as the protectors of the nobility and the defenders of the realm. The chivalric code was developed as a way to regulate the behavior of knights and to instill in them a sense of honor and duty. The earliest written accounts of chivalry can be found in the literature of the troubadours, who were poets and musicians from the southern region of France. The troubadours wrote songs and poems that celebrated the virtues of chivalry.
One of the most famous examples of chivalric literature from this period is the Song of Roland, an epic poem written in Old French in the late 11th century. The poem tells the story of the Battle of Roncevaux Pass, in which the hero Roland—a knight in the service of Charlemagne—sacrifices himself to save his fellow knights from a Muslim ambush. The Song of Roland is notable for its depiction of the chivalric code, which is embodied by the character of Roland. Roland is fiercely loyal to his king and his fellow knights, and he is willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good. He is also depicted as a devout Christian, who prays to God before going into battle and who is ultimately rewarded with a place in heaven.
In the 12th and 13th centuries, the chivalric code continued to evolve and became more formalized. The code was codified in a number of treatises and manuals, including the Code of Chivalry by Geoffroi de Charny and the Book of the Order of Chivalry by Ramon Llull. These treatises outlined the principles of the chivalric code in detail, including the virtues of loyalty, bravery, and honor, as well as the importance of courteous behavior and respect for women.
The chivalric code also played a significant role in shaping the literature of the medieval period. The Arthurian legends, for example, are filled with examples of chivalric behavior, including the bravery and loyalty of King Arthur and his knights. One of the most important works of Arthurian literature is Le Morte d’Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory. The book, which was published in the late 15th century, tells the story of King Arthur and his knights, and it is notable for its emphasis on the principles of the chivalric code. In Le Morte d’Arthur, the knights of the Round Table are portrayed as noble and honorable figures, who are devoted to the service of their king and the ideals of chivalry. The book also explores the consequences of violating the code of chivalry, as exemplified by the tragic love affair between Lancelot and Guinevere.
The end of the chivalric era is generally marked by the transition from the medieval period to the early modern period in Europe. This transition was marked by the decline of feudalism and the emergence of a new social order, in which the power of the nobility was diminished and the role of the merchant class and the bourgeoisie became more prominent. With the decline of the power and influence of the knights and the nobility, the chivalric code began to lose its significance as a guiding principle of behavior. The values of loyalty, bravery, and honor that had once defined the code were gradually replaced by new values and priorities, such as commercial success, scientific progress, and political power.
