Nibelungenlied and Parzival Essay - 1567 Words

Nibelungenlied and Parzival Although both the Nibelungenlied and Parzival were composed around the same time (c. 1200), they are vastly different in certain respects—namely concerning the matters of diplomacy, redemption, revenge, and deceit. Some striking similarities do exist among the two texts—concepts of honor (à ªre), loyalty (triuwe), moderation (mà ¢ze) and knightly deeds (à ¢ventiure) are valued highly by both societies. However, each notion is accomplished through different measures in each work. In fact, societal values are taken more to the extreme in Nibelungenlied, and deceit is often used to obtain them. For example, honor manifests itself similarly in each work, but is acted on to a different extent. In both†¦show more content†¦For this reason, Parzival is a much more Christian composition. More specifically, consider first the incidents surrounding Siegfrieds death, which stem from a loss of honor, but point out other important societal values in the Nibelungenlied. Gunther falsely claims, with Siegfrieds approval, that Siegfried is his vassal in order to impress Brunhilde. Siegfried then helps Gunther with the cloak of invisibility to complete tasks of strength, which eventually win Brunhilde. These are deceptions number one and two, and are especially heinous since they occur during a wooing expedition. The third deception of Brunhilde comes about when Siegfried subdues her so that she will sleep with Gunther in the future. The concept of loyalty to ones spouse and to womankind in the world of Parzival forbids any dishonesty in courting endeavors, or any deceit to ones wife. Moreover, nobody openly lies about rank, or social status, because it is far too important of a concept. Gawan is perhaps the only character in Parzival who is not entirely honest about hi s heritage, when he overcomes the Castle of Wonders and frees his relatives. However, his intentions are good—he simply wants to reunite King Arthur to his relatives in a sort of surprise manner, and for that reason any wrong he causes through his silence is almost immediately ameliorated. Finally, the laws governing à ¢ventiure do not allow anyone who uses tricks to win aShow MoreRelatedEssay on Wagnerian3838 Words   |  16 Pagesexhausting epic was the old German poem the Nibelungenlied, which was probably given its final form around the same time as the stories of Parzival and Tristan and Isolde were taking shape, i.e. about the end of the 12th/start of the 13th century. Those other medieval stories were the source of Wagners Tristan und Isolde and his final opera Parsifal. However, having heard the latter and having also read Wolfram von Eschenbachs Parzival, which was Wagners specific source text