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This is volume 1 in The German Library in 100 Volumes. It includes a comprehensive foreword to the entire series by the general editor Volkmar Sanders. It also features the following works: The Older Lay of Hildebrand, The Nibelungenlied, The Younger Lay of Hildebrand, The Battle of Ravenna, Biterolf and Dietleib, and The Rose Garden (Version A). In many ways, German, as well as all modern Western literature, is grounded in the epic (or heroic) poetry of this seminal volume.
The Nibelungenlied, a quintessential epic of medieval German literature, weaves a rich tapestry of themes including heroism, betrayal, and fate. Written in Middle High German, this anonymous work balances lyrical poetry with narrative prose, lending it a timeless quality that resonates with both historical gravity and literary beauty. Set against the backdrop of the Germanic tribes, it recounts the tragic tale of Siegfried, Kriemhild, and the catastrophic consequences of their desires and vendettas, inviting readers to ponder the immutable forces of destiny that govern human lives. The author of The Nibelungenlied remains shrouded in mystery, yet the text reflects profound insights into the ...
In this study, the author looks at the role the warrior-hero plays within a set of predetermined political and social constraints. The hero if not a sword-wielding barbarian, bent only upon establishing his own fame; such fame-seekers (including some famous medieval literary figures) might even fall outside the definition of the Germanic hero, the real value of whose deeds are given meaning only within the political construct. Individual prowess is not enough. The hero must conquer the blows of fate because he is committed to the conquest of chaos, and over all to the need for social stability. Even the warrior-hero's concern with his reputation is usually expressed negatively: that the wrong songs are not sung about him. The author discusses works in Old English, Old and Middle High German, Old Norse, Latin and Old French, deliberately going beyond what is normally thought of as "heroic poetry" to include the German so-called "minstrel epic" and a work by a writer who is normally classified as a late medieval chivalric poet, Konrad von Wurzburg, the comparison of which with "Beowulf" allows us to span half a millennium.
No detailed description available for "Ingeld and Christ".