The Image of Medieval Women

The Image of Medieval WomanAuthor(s): Marjorie D. WadeSource: Die Unterrichtspraxis / Teaching German, Vol. 11, No. 1 (Spring, 1978), pp. 48-51Published by: Wiley on behalf of the American Association of Teachers of GermanStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3529640 .Accessed: 08/01/2015 20:21

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so Stefan, p. 3. 51 Stefan, p. 4. 52 A shorter version of this article was presented at the Women in German Con- ference at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, in September, 1976. A specific text list for this course with an extensive bibliography has been published by ERIC (ED 136 589), July, 1977. For text suggestions, see also Edna Huttenmaier Spitz, "Ger- man Women Writers of the Twentieth Century: An Introductory Course in English Translation," Unterrichtspraxis, 9, No. 1 (1976), 30-39.

The Image of Medieval Woman

Marjorie D. Wade

In response to student demands, California State University, Sacramento, makes a provision for experimental offerings within the framework of the University's General Education program. By definition, these experimental courses are "specially designed courses which differ from the traditional offerings and which are specifically designed to increase student involvement and to help make their education more relevant." Enrollment is limited to not more than thirty students in each section of an experimental class. This is intended to give the students a more active role in the class by increasing their par- ticipation through discussions and reports, thus providing them greater opportunity to shape their own educational experience. All such special courses must be submitted to the University Curriculum Committee and the General Education Committee for approval; approved courses have a limited tenure of two semesters.

Under this provision the Department of German/Classics/Russian has proposed several new courses in English translation, which have proven to be among its most successful efforts in attracting new students. Concurrent with the celebration of International Women's Year, the topic proposed in 1975 was "The Image of Medieval Woman." The course was an examination of the roles and positions of women in medieval society as depicted in Middle High German literature. The class was open to all undergraduate students. There were no prerequisites and no knowledge of German was necessary. The lectures and discussions were in English and the readings in English translation. The first time the course was offered the class enrollment required that two sections be offered. High enrollment was maintained, and con- tinued student interest made it necessary for the course to be given for a third semester. It is being considered as a permanent addition to the Department's traditional offerings.

MARJORIE D. WADE, Assistant Professor of German at California State University in Sacramento, received the Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.

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The text list for the course included: Tacitus, The Agricola and the Ger- mania, trans. by H. Mattingly (Baltimore: Penguin Books, 1970); The Nibelungenlied, trans. by A. T. Hatto (Baltimore: Penguin Books, 1969); Gottfried von Strassburg, Tristan, trans. by A. T. Hatto (Baltimore: Penguin Books, 1967); Wolfram von Eschenbach, Parzival, trans. by Helen M. Mustard and Charles E. Passage (New York: Vintage Books, 1961); Ulrich von Liechtenstein, Service of Ladies, trans. by J. W. Thomas (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1969); Ger- man and Italian Lyrics of the Middle Ages, trans. by Frederick Goldin (Garden City, N. Y.: Anchor Books, 1973). With the exception of Service of Ladies, these texts are all readily available in paperback editions. Sup- plemental materials can be put on a library reserve list. There have been many recent publications on the history of women which are useful and readily available.

The course combined lectures, the reading of the above texts, class discussions, and special reports. Each student was required to give one twenty-minute oral report to the class, to write a one-hour midterm examination, and a two-hour final examination. The first text assigned was Tacitus' Germania of 98 A.D. This account of the Germanic woman and her position in the primitive society yielded stimulating discussions and afforded a well-chosen background for the study of attitudes and values found in the later Middle High German literature. A basic understanding of the historical period was efficiently achieved by several introductory lectures on the early Middle Ages.

In the Nibelungenlied, the first epic to be read, the students examined the actions and argued the motivation of every character, scene by scene. The powerful characterization of Kriemhild dominating the en- tire epic is particularly interesting for a course specifically directed toward a study of women. The changes that take place in Kriemhild's character, her .overshadowing of the heroic male figures, and her fate produced lively class discussions and widely differing interpretations.

The contradictory nature of Brunhild prompted questions regarding the ancient legends and mythology of the Germanic peoples. The aura of mystery surrounding the character of Brynhild in the Volsunga Saga sets her in sharp contrast to the queen of Iceland in the Nibelungenlied tradition. The significant differences between the two women figures contribute to a deeper understanding of both Brunhild and the respec- tive societies reflected in the two works. The Volsunga Saga is, however, not as accessible in a good English translation as the Nibelungenlied, and any discussion of this material depends on the resources of the instructor.

The clashing ethics of the heroic and courtly literature, so evident in the Nibelungenlied, provided the impetus for the transition to the courtly literature of the High Middle Ages. Several class periods were devoted to the subject of Christianity and the pervading political and social in-

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fluence of the medieval church. Lectures, discussions, and reports were coordinated to consider the influence of the monasteries and abbeys and to examine women's position in the church and society in their varied roles as nuns, abbesses, and feudal ladies. Excerpts of the histories and dramas of Hrotsvitha of Gandersheim were read in class and provided unique examples of the literary skill of a tenth-century woman writer. As part of a project, a student directed a dramatic reading in class of Hrotsvitha's Callimachus. Lectures on Arabic love poetry, church teachings about women, clerical education, and the cult of the Virgin introduced lyric poetry. Selected lyrics of representative Minnesingers were read in class, and the varied styles, attitudes, situations, and personalities of both poets and the ladies depicted were discussed.

The two courtly epics, Tristan and Parzival, present the whole spectrum of women in the society of the High Middle Ages. Isolde's personal dilemma and her tragic marriage elicited a sympathetic response from many students and at the same time stirred conflicting emotions. The proud and independent Isolde provides a strong contrast to the elder clueen, whose mysterious powers of healing and second sight seem to personify the primitive woman of Tacitus' Germania. Brangane serves to demonstrate the ideals of courtly loyalty and was seen by the class as the very model of truest friendship.

Wolfram's cast of women characters contrasts vividly to that of Gott- fried's. A study of Wolfram's idealized women characters mirrors the multiple contrasts in the medieval world: East and West; Christian and heathen; the feminine roles of devoted mother, the faithful wife, the idealized lady, precocious child, experienced teacher, sorrowful recluse, accusing harridan. Despite the restrictions of literary character types, Wolfram's women characters show particular strength as individuals and vitality in their relationships. In class discussions student reactions to the varied personalities, individuals, and types were ex- plored with frequently surprising and lively exchanges. The final text studied was Ulrich von Liechtenstein's Service of Ladies, a personal account of a knight written in 1255. The epic, rich in comic elements which foretell the decline of the standards of the preceding era, provides a striking contrast in style and attitude to the earlier works. Like the epics and lyric poetry of the German Middle Ages, it portrays a lively picture of women, their roles and positions in a changing society.

The range of subjects for reports was for all practical purposes unlimited. Some students selected historical subjects: Eleanor of Acquitaine, Marie of Champagne and the Courts of Love, Hrotsvitha of Gandersheim, and Hildegard of Bingen. Others preferred thematic studies, such as the role of women in particular segments of society. Studies were done on the contributions of women to art, music, and literature, as well as to medicine and healing, and on their associations with magic, alchemy, and witchcraft. Others studied medieval recipes

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and cooking, social manners and etiquette in the Middle Ages, dress, marriage practices, and laws. Particularly illuminating were the lives of women saints, a study of women as depicted in medieval art and literature, and a presentation on heraldry. In conjunction with our study of the daily life and duties of women in the Middle Ages, one class period was devoted to slides of medieval castles. Aerial views and floor plans supplemented exterior views for a thorough study of the physical setting.

The open format and flexibility of this experimental program and the in- creased student contribution have been successfully used to lend variety to the departmental program and, even more importantly, to stimulate interest in the German language and literature.

* California State University, Sacramento

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Article Contentsp. 48p. 49p. 50p. 51

Issue Table of ContentsDie Unterrichtspraxis / Teaching German, Vol. 11, No. 1 (Spring, 1978), pp. 1-110+1-10Volume Information [pp. 107-110]Front MatterLetter from the Editor [pp. 1]Focus on LiteraturdidaktikOn Confronting a Poem [pp. 3-12]Purposeful Questioning in Poetry: Guidelines for the Classroom [pp. 12-19]A "Landscape" Approach to Teaching Poetry [pp. 20-26]Making Literature Come Alive: "The Many Lives of Dr. Faust" [pp. 26-31]Der goldene Topf and Das Marmorbild: A Comparison [pp. 32-38]Women in German Literature: A Different Approach to Teaching Literature [pp. 39-48]The Image of Medieval Woman [pp. 48-51]

FL Exposure beyond the Classroom: How to Import Theater [pp. 52-57]Ortsnamenkunde im Unterricht [pp. 57-62]FL Pronunciation on the Elementary Level: A Neglected Area of Early Expertise [pp. 62-66]Hints from the ClassroomEin Mensch ist ein Tier, das Schuhe trgt: Communication Not Manipulation[pp. 67-69]Sentence-Combining Practice [pp. 69-70]

ReportNational Endowment for the Humanities Fellowships for College Teachers: An Individual Evaluation [pp. 71-73]

Professional Notes [pp. 74-81]Wie sagt man ... [pp. 82-85]Book ReviewsFirst YearReview: untitled [pp. 86-88]Review: untitled [pp. 88-89]

Drill MaterialReview: untitled [pp. 89-90]

Literature in TranslationReview: untitled [pp. 90-91]Review: untitled [pp. 92]

German-America StudiesReview: untitled [pp. 92-93]Review: untitled [pp. 93-94]

LinguisticsReview: untitled [pp. 94-95]

FL InstructionReview: untitled [pp. 95-98]Review: untitled [pp. 99]Review: untitled [pp. 100]Review: untitled [pp. 100-101]Review: untitled [pp. 101-102]Review: untitled [pp. 102-103]Review: untitled [pp. 103-104]Review: untitled [pp. 104-105]Review: untitled [pp. 105-106]

Back Matter [pp. 1-10]

Documents

The Image of Medieval Women