Gottfried's "Tristan and Isolde" - Your Travel Guide to a Great Novel

Does true love have to break with the rules and norms of society? Gottfried's "Tristan and Isolde," a masterpiece of medieval epic poetry, follows this question through its portrayal of a tragic romance. The course will close-read, analyze and discuss this milestone of German literature, focusing in particular on its notions of love, loyalty, fate, and honor. Later sessions will also include modern adaptations of the Tristan story. Contributions by invited guest speakers and experts will provide different perspectives for us to discuss.