This volume comprises selected papers from a Tristan symposium held at the Institute of Germanic Studies in London. The symposium was conceived by the organizers as an experiment in transatlantic dialogue and the papers represent the views of scholars from a variety of North American and British universities. The main focus of attention is Gottfried's Tristan. Familiar assumptions about the text are questioned and fresh perspectives are offered on many contentious issues: those disagreements which persist are themselves a reflection posed by Gottfried's masterpiece. In addition, new light is thrown on the treatment of the Tristan theme in medieval and modern times.Contributors are: MICHAEL CURSCHMANN, W.J. MCCANN, MARGARET BROWN, C. STEPHEN JAEGER, M.H. JONES, ADRIAN STEVENS, ARTHUR GROOS, THOMAS KERTH, MICHAEL BATTS, MARIANNE WYNN, JANET WHARTON, GEORGE GILLESPIE, JOAN M. FERRANTE, LESLIE SEIFFERT, SIDNEY M. JOHNSON, PETRUS W. TAX, AUGUST CLOSS, H.B. WILLSON, ROY WISBEY.

Studies showing the influence of the French Arthurian romances of Chretien de Troyes on German medieval literature. The pre-eminent role of Chretien de Troyes in the formation of Arthurian romance is reflected in the swift and brilliant response of German courtly poets to his works. Within a few years of their composition, Erec et Enideand Yvain were adapted for German audiences by Hartmann von Aue, while Chretien's unfinished Grail-story was taken up by Wolfram von Eschenbach and brought to a triumphant conclusion in Parzival. In this volume a distinguished international team of scholars contrast the treatment and reception of the stories in Germany with their French originals. Contributors: E.M.MELETINSKY, MICHAEL BATTS, SILVIA RANAWAKE, W.H.JACKSON, H.B.WILSON, KAREN PRATT, MARTIN H. JONES, DANIEL ROCHER, WALTER BLANK, KLAUS GRUBMULLER, TONY HUNT, WIEBKE FREYTAG, MICHAEL CURSCHMANN, RENE PERENNEC, ADRIAN STEVENS, ARTHUR GROOS, TIMOTHY McFARLAND, J.-M. PASTRE and VOLKER HONEMAN.