Der Stricker
Der Stricker was a significant medieval poet active in the thirteenth century, recognized for his contributions to German literature at a time when it was transitioning from a golden age (1180-1230) to a postclassical era. Little is known about his personal life, leading to various theories regarding the origin of his name, which may denote a wandering poet or metaphorically signify a "weaver of tales." Despite speculations about his origins, evidence suggests he spent considerable time in Austria, though his dialect aligns more closely with central Germany, indicating he may not have been an Austrian native.
His most notable work, "Daniel von dem blühenden Tal," tells the story of an Arthurian knight facing formidable adversaries. Der Stricker is celebrated for infusing originality into Arthurian narratives, typically reliant on French sources, and for his adept use of didactic poetry rooted in biblical and Aesopian traditions. While he may not be seen as a groundbreaking innovator, he is acknowledged for his polished style and for pioneering an engaging narrative voice in didactic poetry, distinguishing himself in a field that was often derivative. His shorter works, often viewed as his true literary accomplishments, further showcase his talent in this evolving literary landscape.
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Der Stricker
Poet
- Born: c. 1190
- Died: c. 1250
Biography
The medieval poet Der Stricker was an important figure during the thirteenth century; he helped usher German literature into the era of postclassical literature after a golden age of German literature that lasted from about 1180 to 1230. Very little is known about Der Stricker himself, though scholars have several theories about the source of his name. Some believe it to be derivative from a German verb that means to wander or to rove. This would be fitting, considering that it is commonly held that Der Stricker was a traveling poet. Another group of scholars believe his name is a pseudonym that plays on the idea that he is a weaver of tales. However, there is also textual evidence that Der Stricker may have been an authentic family name.
Because of references in his works, scholars have also concluded that Der Stricker spent a considerable amount of time in Austria. However, they do not believe he was necessarily a native Austrian, because in examining the dialect employed in his early work Daniel von dem blühenden Tal, scholars found that it doesn’t match the dialect of Austria at that time, and is actually closer to one from a more central area of Germany. During his life, Der Stricker produced a large body of work in a variety of genres. His most famous work, Daniel von dem blühenden Tal, (Daniel of the blossoming valley) is the tale of an Arthurian knight who battled giants, dwarves, and other knights. Der Stricker was notable for his ability to imbue his tales with an originality uncommon to other tellers of Arthurian romances, stories that were often derivative of French romantic stories.
Daniel von dem blühenden Tal and the heroic epic Karl der Gro�e (Charlemagne) are examples of his early works; they differ from the narratives and later fables on which his reputation as a poet is based. Scholars believe Der Stricker’s shorter works are his true literary achievements. His didactic poems are rooted in biblical parables and in Aesopian tradition. While Der Stricker was not a poetic genius or an innovator, he made formidable achievements: He broke from the tradition of using a French source and displayed a polished style. He was the first German author to suffuse didactic poetry with an animated and engaging narrative voice.