Tannhäusers heimliche Trauer - Über die Bedingungen von Rationalität und Subjektivität im Mittelalter

The study investigates the 13th and 14th century works handed down to us under the name of Tannhäuser. Philological analysis and exhaustive interpretation are employed to achieve a reasoned stance vis-à-vis unresolved Tannhäuser problems and to probe some of the things hitherto taken for granted in literary historiography. In addition the attempt is made to provide a convincing overall characterization of Tannhäuser as an authorial personality, not least with a view to reexamining the scope and limitations of an author-oriented approach to medieval literature. The annex contains Tannhäuser's 'Bußlied' (Song of Penance) and 'Hofzucht' (The Perfect Courtier) making them available for the first time complete with modern German translations.