Hartmann's <i>Armer Heinrich</i>: The Clasical Mediaeval Dilemma

Abstract

At the end of Hartmann's first narrative, Erec, the hero is restored to his rightful place in society, accorded the honour which is his due as a model sovereign, one who is now also aware of the obligations imposed by his position. In words which clearly anticipate the dilemma of a later hero, Heinrich, Hartmann gives us a pointer to one of the paradoxes of mediaeval social status: er tete sam die wisen tuont, die des gote gerilde sagent swaz. si eren bejagent und ez von im wellent han.