Spielmannsdichtung
Encyclopedia
Spielmannsdichtung or Spielmannsepik (or -epos) is a genre
, now generally deprecated, of Middle High German
literature, specifically the lyric poetry
(Dichtung) or epic
(Epik or Epos) of wandering minstrel
s (Spielmann
) of the twelfth century. The term was used to classify several early Middle High German works that predated the Minnesang
and the Höfische Epik. They are considered heroic and adventurous works destined for a popular audience and were long attributed to wandering minstrels, though this view has been abandoned, since the minstrels were not generally literate. The term remains today only as a convenience for grouping together similarly themed works:
Most of these were only written down in the thirteenth century and survive in multiple variations. They blend history, legend, and fairy tale, but internal evidence points to a learned authorship, probably clerical. They are punctuated by instances of crude comedy and were probably intended for a less educated noble audience. They are generally dated based on references in the text which show that they are not earlier than the middle of the twelfth century. Commonalities between all five anonymous Spielmannsdichtungen are often hard to identify and for that the term has ceased to be used to describe a genre.
Genre
Genre , Greek: genos, γένος) is the term for any category of literature or other forms of art or culture, e.g. music, and in general, any type of discourse, whether written or spoken, audial or visual, based on some set of stylistic criteria. Genres are formed by conventions that change over time...
, now generally deprecated, of Middle High German
Middle High German
Middle High German , abbreviated MHG , is the term used for the period in the history of the German language between 1050 and 1350. It is preceded by Old High German and followed by Early New High German...
literature, specifically the lyric poetry
Lyric poetry
Lyric poetry is a genre of poetry that expresses personal and emotional feelings. In the ancient world, lyric poems were those which were sung to the lyre. Lyric poems do not have to rhyme, and today do not need to be set to music or a beat...
(Dichtung) or epic
Epic poetry
An epic is a lengthy narrative poem, ordinarily concerning a serious subject containing details of heroic deeds and events significant to a culture or nation. Oral poetry may qualify as an epic, and Albert Lord and Milman Parry have argued that classical epics were fundamentally an oral poetic form...
(Epik or Epos) of wandering minstrel
Minstrel
A minstrel was a medieval European bard who performed songs whose lyrics told stories of distant places or of existing or imaginary historical events. Although minstrels created their own tales, often they would memorize and embellish the works of others. Frequently they were retained by royalty...
s (Spielmann
Spielmann
Spielmann or Spielman is a German surname meaning "gleeman", a travelling performer in the Middle Ages. There are several spelling variations.Spielmann may refer to:* Götz Spielmann , Austrian film director...
) of the twelfth century. The term was used to classify several early Middle High German works that predated the Minnesang
Minnesang
Minnesang was the tradition of lyric and song writing in Germany which flourished in the 12th century and continued into the 14th century. People who wrote and performed Minnesang are known as Minnesingers . The name derives from the word minne, Middle High German for love which was their main...
and the Höfische Epik. They are considered heroic and adventurous works destined for a popular audience and were long attributed to wandering minstrels, though this view has been abandoned, since the minstrels were not generally literate. The term remains today only as a convenience for grouping together similarly themed works:
- König Rother
- Herzog ErnstHerzog ErnstHerzog Ernst is a German epic from the early high Middle Ages , first written down by an anonymous author from the Rhein region.-Story:...
- Salman und Morolf
- OrendelOrendelOrendel is a Middle High German poem, a Spielmannsdichtung, dating from the end of the 12th century.The story is associated with the town of Treves , where the poem was probably written. The introduction narrates the story of the Holy Coat, which, after many adventures, is swallowed by a whale...
- König Oswald
Most of these were only written down in the thirteenth century and survive in multiple variations. They blend history, legend, and fairy tale, but internal evidence points to a learned authorship, probably clerical. They are punctuated by instances of crude comedy and were probably intended for a less educated noble audience. They are generally dated based on references in the text which show that they are not earlier than the middle of the twelfth century. Commonalities between all five anonymous Spielmannsdichtungen are often hard to identify and for that the term has ceased to be used to describe a genre.