Neidhartspiel

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St. Pauler Neidhartspiel, 14th century manuscript

The Neidhartspiel , named after Neidhart , the poet of the 13th century , is the oldest verifiable type of secular drama in the German-speaking world. It is documented in writing as early as the 14th century . In terms of content, it reflects the historical figure of the minne poet in relation to the Schwanker narrative Neidhart Fuchs ( 1491 ), which was mistakenly attributed to Otto Fuchs for a long time and, like the Schwankbuch, belongs to the Austrian region in terms of its origins .

Substance and development

Neidhart, which by its dörperliche seal at the same time the Minnesang parodied such criticism of Minne cult and Rittertum practiced, is the focus of dramas material. He appears here as a chivalrous peasant enemy.

The main element of the game is the so-called violet fluctuation . In spring Neidhart finds the first violet in a meadow, covers it with his hat and goes off to present it to the Duchess of Austria. After he leaves, farmers replace the violet with a pile of dung. Neidhart returns with the Duchess and her court. Together they dance a spring dance around the hat, which Neidhart finally reveals as the supposed highlight. The offended duchess accuses Neidhart, who finally takes cruel revenge on the farmers.

Literary historiography sees the Neidhartspiele as justified by the pre-literary times because of the violet swank material in the seasonal games for the spring celebration. Several versions of the game are preserved.

  • The Sterzinger scenario has been preserved in a conducting role from the 15th century , the corresponding, but later discovered Sterzinger Neidhartspiel contains 796 verses and already 60 participants, 40 of which appear as speaking roles . The plot is supplemented by another Neidhart-Schwank.
  • The Great Neidhartspiel from the 15th century comprises 2268 verses and 103 figures, 68 of them speaking. It has come down to us in a Wolfenbüttel collective manuscript and, although it shows the courtly language, it is formally close to the spiritual game . In addition to the usual material, six more Neidhart taunts and a devil scene are recorded.
  • The Kleine Neidhartspiel from the late 15th century, contained in the same Wolfenbüttel manuscript, contains 207 verses. It is near the Fastnachtspiele the Meistersinger and contains only the violet and the Devil scene.
  • The carnival game Der Neidhart with the feyhel ( 1557 ) by Hans Sachs , which was written independently of the previous tradition.

literature