Abstract
This paper will chart the ways in which the late medieval legend of Tannhäuser has been
rehearsed and represented in history. The Tannhäuser legend has inspired poetry, plays,
operas (Wagner’s Tannhäuser being probably the most famous), novels and even a science
fiction trope. This paper purposes to chart a course through these various representations in
order to examine the ‘historical Tannhäuser’. By this term I do not mean the elusive
thirteenth-century Minnesänger upon whom the legend is based (whose very existence is still
debated by historians) but, rather, the way in which the legend has interacted with history in
the centuries since in order to create a history of the legend. In other words, the paper argues
that the ‘historical Tannhauser’ is not to be found in the thirteenth century but in the various
uses of the legend since.
rehearsed and represented in history. The Tannhäuser legend has inspired poetry, plays,
operas (Wagner’s Tannhäuser being probably the most famous), novels and even a science
fiction trope. This paper purposes to chart a course through these various representations in
order to examine the ‘historical Tannhäuser’. By this term I do not mean the elusive
thirteenth-century Minnesänger upon whom the legend is based (whose very existence is still
debated by historians) but, rather, the way in which the legend has interacted with history in
the centuries since in order to create a history of the legend. In other words, the paper argues
that the ‘historical Tannhauser’ is not to be found in the thirteenth century but in the various
uses of the legend since.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 139 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 29 Jun 2022 |
| Event | Reception and Emotion: The Thirteenth Biennial ANZAMEMS Conference - Online Duration: 27 Jun 2022 → 30 Jun 2022 https://www.academia.edu/es/82526039/Reception_and_Emotion_Thirteenth_Biennial_ANZAMEMS_Conference_Hosted_online_by_The_University_of_Western_Australia_27_30_June_2022 https://www.anzamems.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Reception-and-Emotion-final-programme-24June2022-updated.pdf (Program and abstracts) https://www.anzamems.org/?page_id=188#2022 (Past conferences) |
Conference
| Conference | Reception and Emotion |
|---|---|
| Period | 27/06/22 → 30/06/22 |
| Internet address |
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