Böcker av J. W. Thomas

Presents the first English translation of one of the most original literary products of the German medieval period. The book is introduced with a sketch of the poet's life, an evaluation of his work as autobiography and as fiction, and a survey of the extensive criticism that has been devoted to it.

Contains representative selections from the verse of Minnesingers, nuns, priests, goliards, Spielleute, middle-class singers, and noblemen from the twelfth to the fifteenth century together with historical background, biographical sketches, and comments on individual poems.

Examines the content and style of Tannhauser's verse, discusses his sources and his influence on other medieval poets, and gives a history of the ballad material in which he appears. Also included is a diplomatic edition of Tannhauser's poems, both verse translations of the poems and a version of the ballad, and an extensive bibliography.

Presents in English verse translation a selection of the best of German poetry, together with discussions of the chief authors and literary periods and brief explications of the individual poems. Taking the reader from the Minnesingers' songs of courtly love to Rilke, this volume gives an excellent introduction to eight centuries of German poetry.