Around the year 1200, an unknown poet from today's Germany composed the epic 'The Nibelungenlied' or 'Song of the Nibelungs' which became the national epic at the early 19th century.
The Georgian national epic of the 'Knight in the Panther Skin' was created at around the same time as the 'Nibelungenlied' by Shota Rustaveli.
This coincidence was the motivation to draw a comparison between both medieval poems.
The paper includes synopses of both epics, followed by the description of the origin of courtly epic and the national epics in Western Europe and Georgia. After a general comparison of the 'Knight in the Panther Skin' with Western European medieval poetry, a detailed comparison with 'The Nibelungenlied' is provided.
Table of Contents
- Preface
- Introduction
- The ‘Nibelungenlied' and the ‘Klage' (Synopses)
- The 'Nibelungenlied'
- The 'Klage'
- The ‘Knight in the Panther Skin' (Synopsis)
- German and English editions of Knight in the Panther Skin
- Interpretation
- The origin of courtly epic in Georgia and Western Europe.
- History of origins of the German and the Georgian national epics.
- The ‘Knight in the Panther Skin' and the medieval Western European chivalric poetry
- The 'Knight in the Panther Skin' and the 'Nibelungenlied'
- Final remarks
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to compare the German epic "The Nibelungenlied" with the Georgian national epic "The Knight in the Panther Skin." It analyzes the historical context of both works, explores the development of courtly medieval epics, and examines the similarities and differences between the two narratives.
- Historical context and evolution of courtly epics in Western Europe and Georgia
- The development of national epics in Germany and Georgia
- Similarities and differences between the themes, characters, and structures of "The Nibelungenlied" and "The Knight in the Panther Skin"
- The influence of cultural and historical factors on the creation of both epics
- The reception and significance of both works in their respective cultures
Chapter Summaries
The preface introduces the two epics, "The Nibelungenlied" and "The Knight in the Panther Skin," and explains the motivation for comparing them. The introduction provides an overview of the historical context of each epic, including information about the authors, manuscripts, and historical significance.
The following chapters explore the origin and development of courtly epics in Western Europe and Georgia, comparing the historical and cultural influences that shaped these genres. The analysis examines the key themes, characters, and narrative structures of the two epics, highlighting similarities and differences.
Keywords
The key terms and concepts explored in this study include: medieval epics, courtly literature, national epics, German literature, Georgian literature, "Nibelungenlied," "Knight in the Panther Skin," Shota Rustaveli, chivalry, history, culture, comparison, thematic analysis, narrative structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the "Nibelungenlied"?
The "Nibelungenlied" is a Middle High German epic poem written around 1200, which became the national epic of Germany in the 19th century.
What is "The Knight in the Panther Skin"?
It is the Georgian national epic, written by Shota Rustaveli around the same time as the Nibelungenlied (c. 1200).
How are these two epics similar?
Both were written in the same era, reflect chivalric values, and serve as foundational national literary works for their respective cultures.
What are the main differences between the two epics?
The Nibelungenlied is often described as more tragic and focused on fate, while Rustaveli's work emphasizes friendship, courtly love, and humanism.
Who was Shota Rustaveli?
He was a 12th-century Georgian poet, considered one of the greatest contributors to Georgian literature and the author of the national epic.
- Quote paper
- Rainer Schoeffl (Author), 2016, "The Nibelungenlied" and the "Knight in the Panther Skin". A comparison of two medieval epics from Germany and Georgia, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/350770
