kmdm literature written in the German language from the 8th century to the present includes the works of German, Austrian, and Swiss authors divided into periods that correspond to the following: development of the German language growth and unification of Germany as a nation Old High German Literature (800-1100) the epic Hildebrandslied (Lay of Hildebrand): the oldest known literary work in German Other legends deal with heroic personalities. Theodoric, king of the Ostrogoths Attila, king of the Huns Siegfried, identified by some authorities as the German chief Arminius The pagan tradition was disowned by the Roman Catholic Church. remained the dominant force in German literature from the 4th century to the 12th century The pagan tradition was disowned by the Roman Catholic Church. 381: Ulfilas, bishop of the Goths, translated the Bible into the vernacular Old High German Literature (800-1100) epic Heliand: Christ is represented as a German prince Charles Martel (688?-741): Carolingian ruler of the Frankish kingdom of Austrasia Many abbeys were founded. The monks preserved ancient literature as well as the history of their own time. The major literary works were written in Latin, with German used primarily in translations from the older language. Middle High German Literature (1100-1370) prose writing and drama: primarily in the form of didactic religious works epic, lyric, and satiric forms: virtues of chivalry and courtly love poetry: a mode of secular expression Spielleute (wandering minstrels): entertained their listeners with stories of adventure court epic The German writers expressed their own ideals, found their own form and style, and very often added depth to the stories. variation: epic with an animal as the central figure Reinecke Fuchs (1180?) by Heinrich der Glchezaere greatest German epic: Nibelungenlied Middle High German Literature (1100-1370) Lyric poetry developed in the form of the Minnesang (courtly lyric) composed by the lyric poets known as minnesingers second half of the 13th century The nature of the epic began to change as characters from the middle class and the peasantry were introduced. Peasantry became increasingly important in literature. Meier Helmbrecht: a 13th century tale of peasant life great master: Walther von der Vogelweide (1500-1700) the great 16th century religious revolution in the Christian Church the rise of the middle class in the 14th and 15th centuries the struggles of the peasants against the nobility was reflected in literature Martin Luthers translation of the Bible established New High German as the literary language of Germany. secular literature: the aristocratic Minnesang was discarded in favor of the Meistergesang (master song) written by guilds of artisans known as Meistersinger simple lyric poems later collectively titled Volkslied (folk songs) German theologian and religious reformer Martin Luther (1483-1546) argued that the essence of Christianity lies in each persons direct communication with God published in 1517 his Ninety-Five Theses one of the crucial figures in modern European history initiated the Protestant Reformation Sources: Garcia, C. U., Rosales, P. G., & Dimalanta, O. A. (2001). An anthology of continental literature (13th century 20th century). Manila: UST Publishing House. Microsoft Encarta 2006 [DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2005.