Principle of Formation of Medieval German Literature: Overcoming the Crisis Stages through New Genres

Abstract

Purpose of the article was to find the principle of genres’ formation of medieval German literature. Being based on post-non-classical methodology, the author used content analysis of Latin and German literal monuments (10 old, 242 middle German monuments) for it. The study tested the main hypothesis: new literature monuments were produced because of social crises and new genres formed on their basis helped overcoming the crises in German literary history.

Due to our findings the History of medieval German literature of the Middle Ages can be subdivided into at least 8 periods in its development. They are (due to the impact of the crises in the public life upon the formation of a new genre): (1) migrations period of Great Barbarian invasions (5^th c.) with heroic epics as the result; (2) the introduction of Christianity (5th-8^th cent.) with Christian translated monuments; (3) the state consolidation with Notker’s translational activity; (4) the period of the Cluniac Reforms and the Crusades (1050/80-1150/87 years) with religious songs, spilman epics, etc.; (5) establishment of Staufen’s dynasty (1150–1250) and its collapse with courtly (and epigenous) novels; (6) strengthening of cities with didactic burgher literature; (7) worldview crisis caused by Avignon papacy with the mystique of 1300-ies; (8) transition of medieval culture into the Renaissance with its anthropocentric paradigm.

As to the research implications it is necessary in perspective to focus on the historical and social genres of medieval literature and to define the principles of their classification, being based on post-non-classical methodology.