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Iwein

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EntityQ2048507· pop 9· linked from 28 articles

Iwein is a Middle High German verse romance by the poet Hartmann von Aue, written around 1200. An Arthurian tale freely adapted from Chrétien de Troyes' Old French Yvain, the Knight of the Lion, it tells the story of Iwein (Yvain), a knight of King Arthur's Round Table. It was written after Hartmann's Erec, and is generally taken to be his last work.

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Author
Hartmann von Aue
First published
1843
Editions
30
Subjects
Arthurian romances, Facsimiles, German Manuscripts, German Romances, Romances, Ywain (Legendary character), Knights and knighthood, Literary Criticism & Collections / General

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Wikidata facts

Image
Iwein Rodenegg.jpg
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Commons category
Yvain, le Chevalier au Lion
publication date
1203-00-00
Sources (5)

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~13 min read

Article

17 sections
Contents
  • Dating
  • Sources
  • Plot
  • Prologue (ll. 1–30)
  • Kalogrenant's tale (ll. 31–944)
  • First plot cycle
  • Iwein's breakdown and madness
  • Second plot cycle
  • Manuscript tradition
  • Reception
  • Literary influence
  • Editions
  • English Translations
  • Notes
  • References
  • External links
  • Facsimiles

Iwein is a Middle High German verse romance by the poet Hartmann von Aue, written around 1200. An Arthurian tale freely adapted from Chrétien de Troyes' Old French Yvain, the Knight of the Lion, it tells the story of Iwein (Yvain), a knight of King Arthur's Round Table. It was written after Hartmann's Erec, and is generally taken to be his last work.

The poem tells how Iwein embarks on an adventure which culminates in marriage to the lady Laudine. But he is then persuaded to leave her for a year to pursue success in tournaments. After he misses the deadline to return to her, he is rejected by Laudine in front of the Arthurian court. Dishonoured, he descends into madness and goes off into the wilderness. There he is healed by a lady with a magic ointment and has further encounters which allow him to show true heroism. These include helping a lion which is being attacked by a dragon, the lion then becoming his companion. Eventually, his honour restored, he regains Laudine's favour.

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