The role of the woman in Gottfried's Tristan : a literary-sociological study

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to look at the role of Isolde, in particular, in the medieval epic TRISTAN - not TRISTAN AND ISOLDE as many call it. In an attempt to understand the role of the woman in Gottfried von Strassburg's TRISTAN, the woman in medieval society and literature was examined in order to ascertain whether Gottfried was presenting a vastly different or a traditional model. There being no historical literature from this time, church and legal documentation provides the only source of information on the woman of the Middle Ages. As fiction of the time would also reflect society of the day, medieval epics and poetry were consulted and compared. A study was made of ROLE-PLAY to ascertain whether there is a relationship between "individual" and society at this time, and whether it is reflected in literature. It was deemed necessary for an understanding of the confrontation of the two main characters with the society in which they operate. Lastly the text was examined for indications of a "new", "progressive" role afforded the woman as a reflection of social changes of the day. Isolde was considered in terms of education, childhood influences, individuality, "psychological" makeup, social (antisocial) behaviour, as fulfilling a traditional role or representing a new morality, particularly in her interaction with the male, Tristan.