Rennewart in Wolfram's 'Willehalm'
A Study of Wolfram von Eschenbach and his Sources

A 1972 examination of Wolfram von Eschenbach's Willehalm and its source, the Old French chanson de geste, La Bataille d'Aliscans.

Carl Lofmark (Author)

9780521155380, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 11 August 2011

270 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.5 cm, 0.35 kg

Wolfram von Eschenbach's Willehalm and the Old French chanson de geste, La Bataille d'Aliscans, on which it was based, recount the tale of how Guillaume de'Orange eventually defeated the Saracens at the battle of Aliscans. This 1972 book examines Wolfram's use of his source material, concentrating on the episodes in which Rennewart figures. He discusses the theories about the original source of Rainouart in the French chansons de geste, and suggests that the figure sprang from traditional fairy tales, and was incorporated into the courtly cycle, in which he assorts rather oddly with the other characters, threatening to take over centre stage from the primary hero, Guillaume. He indicates the ways in which Wolfram made his poem a more consistent narrative by relegating Rennewart to his proper place, and giving him some of the courtly virtues expected of a hero by his audience. Finally, he considers whether Willehalm is a fragment.

Preface
Abbreviations
Part I. The Origin of Rennewart: 1. Introduction
2. Rainouart in the early chansons de geste
3. Possible historical sources
4. The fairy tale
Part II. Wolfram's Treatment of His Source: 5. Wolfram's version of Aliscans
6. Rennewart in Aliscans and Willehalm
7. Wolfram's adaptation
Part III. Rennewart's Development: 8. The possibility of development in Willehalm
9. Symbols of development
10. Guidance and güete
11. Excursus: Gyburg's cloak
Part IV. Rennewart and the Christian Empire: 12. The Christian Empire
13. The rise of Rennewart
14. Excursus: Rennewart and the imperial flag
Part V. The End of Wolfram's Willehalm: 15. Is Willehalm a fragment?
16. The continuation of the Rennewart action
Select bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: general [DSB]