This paper demonstrates how much the forest was used by medieval writers as a symbolic space where critical events take place deeply affecting their protagonists. The forest motif can be found in the works of St. Augu...This paper demonstrates how much the forest was used by medieval writers as a symbolic space where critical events take place deeply affecting their protagonists. The forest motif can be found in the works of St. Augustine as well as in Dante＇s Divina Commedia （ca. 1308-1321）, and then in a plethora of other texts. Here the author examines more closely the symbolic meaning of the forest as a mysterious, dangerous, yet also spiritual location in Wolfram von Eschenbach＇s Titurel （ca. 1220） and then in two 15th-century prose novels： Thtiring von Ringoltingen＇s Melusine （1456） and the anonymous Fortunatus （1509）. Each time we recognize how much the poets placed their central figures one in the forest where their life takes a major turn. Recognizing this intriguing function of the forest as a metaphor and symbol, we can employ the modern interest in and fascination with the forest as a refuge from the destruction of the natural environment through modem civilization as segue to attract students to the study of medieval literature once again.展开更多
The experience of＂The Other＂ has become a common one for people in the 21st century, and yet it continues to be a major problem for everyone involved. Increasingly, however, immigrants and their descendants adjust a...The experience of＂The Other＂ has become a common one for people in the 21st century, and yet it continues to be a major problem for everyone involved. Increasingly, however, immigrants and their descendants adjust and soon participate in and with the new culture（s）. At the same time, those who encounter ＂The Other＂ through the contact with immigrants, have also to adapt, to learn, and to realize considerable changes in themselves in that process. Recently, a new German novelist, Renate Ahrens, has created several major works in which she reflects on this intricate phenomenon typical of our times. The present study might well be the first critical analysis of her last two novels, Zeit der Wahrheit （Time of Truth, 2005） and Fremde Schwestern （Alienated Sisters, 2011）, which prove to be outstanding and first-rate literary treatments of the theme of＂The Other＂ in an intercultural context. As Ahrens illustrates in both novels, each individual carries a heavy baggage imposed on them by the own family history, and so in both cases the confrontation with ＂The Other＂ serves exceedingly well to break open the shell of self-isolation and self-alienation. Love finally overcomes ancient conflicts and paves the way for new integrative forces supporting the formation of the ＂global village＂ we all are really living in.展开更多
Placing the anonymous didactic poem Des Teufels Netz next to the Mendelschen ZwOlfbrfiderstiftung zu Narnberg, we gain most valuable access to the world of craftsmen in the late Middle Ages. Even though the author of ...Placing the anonymous didactic poem Des Teufels Netz next to the Mendelschen ZwOlfbrfiderstiftung zu Narnberg, we gain most valuable access to the world of craftsmen in the late Middle Ages. Even though the author of the first text pursues mostly ethical and moral concerns, formulating many specific comments about people＇s wrongdoing, his narrative proves to be almost as informative about craftsmen as the Mendel Housebook （short title）. The latter mostly consists of a very large number of illustrations of old craftsmen working in their shops, which sheds important light on the tools available, the work methods, and the impressive differentiation and sophistication amongst the craftsmen. The Housebook was continued until the early nineteenth century, whereas Des Teufels Netz was mostly forgotten and did not experience a significant reception. Both works complement each other well and allow us to gain an excellent insight into the world of craftsmen.展开更多
文摘This paper demonstrates how much the forest was used by medieval writers as a symbolic space where critical events take place deeply affecting their protagonists. The forest motif can be found in the works of St. Augustine as well as in Dante＇s Divina Commedia （ca. 1308-1321）, and then in a plethora of other texts. Here the author examines more closely the symbolic meaning of the forest as a mysterious, dangerous, yet also spiritual location in Wolfram von Eschenbach＇s Titurel （ca. 1220） and then in two 15th-century prose novels： Thtiring von Ringoltingen＇s Melusine （1456） and the anonymous Fortunatus （1509）. Each time we recognize how much the poets placed their central figures one in the forest where their life takes a major turn. Recognizing this intriguing function of the forest as a metaphor and symbol, we can employ the modern interest in and fascination with the forest as a refuge from the destruction of the natural environment through modem civilization as segue to attract students to the study of medieval literature once again.
文摘The experience of＂The Other＂ has become a common one for people in the 21st century, and yet it continues to be a major problem for everyone involved. Increasingly, however, immigrants and their descendants adjust and soon participate in and with the new culture（s）. At the same time, those who encounter ＂The Other＂ through the contact with immigrants, have also to adapt, to learn, and to realize considerable changes in themselves in that process. Recently, a new German novelist, Renate Ahrens, has created several major works in which she reflects on this intricate phenomenon typical of our times. The present study might well be the first critical analysis of her last two novels, Zeit der Wahrheit （Time of Truth, 2005） and Fremde Schwestern （Alienated Sisters, 2011）, which prove to be outstanding and first-rate literary treatments of the theme of＂The Other＂ in an intercultural context. As Ahrens illustrates in both novels, each individual carries a heavy baggage imposed on them by the own family history, and so in both cases the confrontation with ＂The Other＂ serves exceedingly well to break open the shell of self-isolation and self-alienation. Love finally overcomes ancient conflicts and paves the way for new integrative forces supporting the formation of the ＂global village＂ we all are really living in.
文摘Placing the anonymous didactic poem Des Teufels Netz next to the Mendelschen ZwOlfbrfiderstiftung zu Narnberg, we gain most valuable access to the world of craftsmen in the late Middle Ages. Even though the author of the first text pursues mostly ethical and moral concerns, formulating many specific comments about people＇s wrongdoing, his narrative proves to be almost as informative about craftsmen as the Mendel Housebook （short title）. The latter mostly consists of a very large number of illustrations of old craftsmen working in their shops, which sheds important light on the tools available, the work methods, and the impressive differentiation and sophistication amongst the craftsmen. The Housebook was continued until the early nineteenth century, whereas Des Teufels Netz was mostly forgotten and did not experience a significant reception. Both works complement each other well and allow us to gain an excellent insight into the world of craftsmen.
