König Rother ('King Rother') is the earliest Middle High Germanepic poem.[1] It consists of 5,204 lines of rhymedcouplets.[2][3] The author is unknown, but was probably a clergyman writing in Bavaria.[4] It was written no earlier than 1152, probably before 1180.[2] The earliest manuscript, Heidelberg Cpg 390, is from around 1200 and is also the only complete copy.[2][3] Three fragmentary manuscripts from the 13th and 14th centuries are known.[3]
A page from a later 13th-century copy, now in MunichRother taking his bride back by sea, an illustration from Otto Leixner von Grünberg's [de]Illustrierte Literaturgeschichte (1880)
The theme of König Rother is the "dangerous bridal quest".[5] Traditionally classified as a Spielmannsdichtung,[6] today it is more often labelled "pre-courtly epic".[3][7] The story is probably based on orally transmitted accounts of historical events, but its treatment is entirely fictional.[3][7] King Rother, for example, may be a reflection of King Rothari or King Roger II of Sicily, both of whom ruled in Italy.[8] In the story, Rother, whose capital is Bari, needs to a wife to ensure his succession. He pursues the daughter of Emperor Konstantin of Constantinople, who has the habit of executing her suitors. Rother outsmarts the emperor and takes the girl back to his kingdom, but her father's sends a ship to take her back. In a second effort, Rother goes in disguise to Constantinople, but is identified and sentenced to death.[6] He is saved by a pre-planned military intervention and finally receives his bride.[9]
Bornholdt, Claudia (2010). "König Rother". In Bjork, Robert E. (ed.). The Oxford Dictionary of the Middle Ages. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
Garland, Henry; Garland, Mary, eds. (2005). "König Rother". The Oxford Companion to German Literature (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
Gibbs, Marion E.; Johnson, Sidney M. (2002) [1997]. Medieval German Literature. Routledge.
Johnson, Sidney M. (2002). "Pre-Courtly Epics". In Francis G. Gentry (ed.). A Companion to Middle High German Literature to the 14th Century. Brill. pp. 397–429.
Palmer, Nigel F. (1997). "The High and Later Middle Ages (1100–1450)". In Helen Watanabe-O'Kelly (ed.). The Cambridge History of German Literature. Cambridge University Press. pp. 40–91. doi:10.1017/CHOL9780521434171.003.
November 02, 2023
könig, rother, king, rother, earliest, middle, high, german, epic, poem, consists, lines, rhymed, couplets, author, unknown, probably, clergyman, writing, bavaria, written, earlier, than, 1152, probably, before, 1180, earliest, manuscript, heidelberg, from, ar. Konig Rother King Rother is the earliest Middle High German epic poem 1 It consists of 5 204 lines of rhymed couplets 2 3 The author is unknown but was probably a clergyman writing in Bavaria 4 It was written no earlier than 1152 probably before 1180 2 The earliest manuscript Heidelberg Cpg 390 is from around 1200 and is also the only complete copy 2 3 Three fragmentary manuscripts from the 13th and 14th centuries are known 3 A page from a later 13th century copy now in MunichRother taking his bride back by sea an illustration from Otto Leixner von Grunberg s de Illustrierte Literaturgeschichte 1880 The theme of Konig Rother is the dangerous bridal quest 5 Traditionally classified as a Spielmannsdichtung 6 today it is more often labelled pre courtly epic 3 7 The story is probably based on orally transmitted accounts of historical events but its treatment is entirely fictional 3 7 King Rother for example may be a reflection of King Rothari or King Roger II of Sicily both of whom ruled in Italy 8 In the story Rother whose capital is Bari needs to a wife to ensure his succession He pursues the daughter of Emperor Konstantin of Constantinople who has the habit of executing her suitors Rother outsmarts the emperor and takes the girl back to his kingdom but her father s sends a ship to take her back In a second effort Rother goes in disguise to Constantinople but is identified and sentenced to death 6 He is saved by a pre planned military intervention and finally receives his bride 9 Notes edit Bornholdt 2010 a b c Palmer 1997 p 43 a b c d e Gibbs amp Johnson 2002 p 106 Gibbs amp Johnson 2002 pp 106 107 Johnson 2002 p 401 a b Garland amp Garland 2005 a b Johnson 2002 p 400 Gibbs amp Johnson 2002 p 107 Johnson 2002 p 403 404 Bibliography editBornholdt Claudia 2010 Konig Rother In Bjork Robert E ed The Oxford Dictionary of the Middle Ages Oxford Oxford University Press Retrieved 25 February 2023 Garland Henry Garland Mary eds 2005 Konig Rother The Oxford Companion to German Literature 3rd ed Oxford University Press Retrieved 25 February 2023 Gibbs Marion E Johnson Sidney M 2002 1997 Medieval German Literature Routledge Johnson Sidney M 2002 Pre Courtly Epics In Francis G Gentry ed A Companion to Middle High German Literature to the 14th Century Brill pp 397 429 Palmer Nigel F 1997 The High and Later Middle Ages 1100 1450 In Helen Watanabe O Kelly ed The Cambridge History of German Literature Cambridge University Press pp 40 91 doi 10 1017 CHOL9780521434171 003 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Konig Rother amp oldid 1149992529, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
