Biography Essay

Hartmann von Aue stands out as one of the most significant authors of the flourishing of literary activity that occurred in German-speaking lands at the end of the twelfth and the beginning of the thirteenth centuries. Hartmann is a seminal figure: his versions of works by the French author Chretien de Troyes introduced what is regarded as the classical form of the Arthurian epic to subsequent German authors. During an age when many authors concentrated their efforts on a single epic or lyrical genre, Hartmann is also a rarity in the variety of his literary production. Next to his worldly works dealing with Arthur and the Round Table, Erec (circa 1180) and Iwein (circa 1203), are two works of a spiritual, if not ascetic, tone: Gregorius (circa 1187) and Der arme Heinrich (circa 1191) as well as a relatively large group of songs in the Minnesang tradition. No other author...