„und bin sîn muoter und sîn wîp“

Wolframs Herzeloyde gefangen in Wiederholungen

Abstract

This paper explores the character of Herzeloyde in Wolfram von Eschenbach’s ‘Parzival’ from a temporal and spatial perspective. Herzeloyde’s simultaneous expe­rience of her husband Gahmuret’s death and the birth of her son, Parzival, leads to a temporal boundarylessness, preventing her from transitioning from the role of a wife to that of a widow. Thus, she has to flee into a heterotopy, namely, the solitude of Soltâne. Using concepts of liminality, the paper delves into Herzeloyde’s struggle to embrace her new role. The analysis focuses on the intertwining factors of temporality, space, embodiment, widowhood, and motherhood within the character of Herzeloyde.