Rezeptions(er)zeugnisse. Kautelen für die Interpretation des Verhältnisses von ›narratio‹ und ›moralisatio‹ in mittelalterlichen Verserzählungen

Abstract

The disparity between narrative and moralising epimythion in Middle High German verse narratives (often referred to as Mæren = tales) has frequently been the subject of research. This article shows that frictions between narratio and moralisatio in these texts are not only an area of investigation for narrative researchers but contain equally significant philological, codicological and traditional historical components which should be considered when or before embarking on an interpretation. In four rounds, using various short verse narratives from the late Middle Ages as well as the Eulenspiegel aporia, the relationship between narrative and interpretation is revealed, including their actual inseparability.