The credibility of Erec's verligen in Hartmann von Aue's Erec

[摘要] Literally translated the MHG term verligen means ;;to lie too long.;; It is defined as the neglect of one's duties and responsibilities in favor of devoting the day to languishing in bed. Its consequences are the loss of honor and esteem.Some noted students of Hartmann's works have suggested that the effect of the verligen motif in Hartmann von Aue's Erec suffers because with only two victories to his credit the hero could not be a renowned knight. This observation, together with the definition of the term verligen, implies that Erec would have to be a knight of sufficient status to have the verligen constitute a fall from a previously attained level of excellence. Contrary to popular belief that Erec is a gallant and successful knight, it is shown in this thesis that, prior to the verligen, his characterization as a knight is not convincing. As a result the verligen loses credibility.

[发布机构] Rice University