Ethical Literary Criticism On Nibelungenlied

Based on the closest matching Nibelungenlied translation text, a’middle ancient times’highland German epic, this essay makes use of theories such as ethical literary criticism, to look back upon Germanic society of the Middle Ages and explains some ethical phenomenon of the epic objectively. In this way it presents a new perspective on the Germanic people’s moral situation. Simultaneously, it clarifies some ethical implications expressed by the Epic, inquiries into the causes of associated ethical complexities, and reflects upon the epic tragedy caused by ethical entanglement and confusion. Thereby it returns to the origin of literature: to achieve the objective of cultivation and purification. Applying ethical literary criticism to epic practice can provided us with a unique approach to the research of Nibelungenlied. Such research is still in its infancy and has the potential for considerable elaboration.Initially, the essay mainly focuses upon the research situation at home and abroad, while giving attention to the aims and meanings for the selected title. Proceeding from heroic ethics, family ethics and Christian Religion ethics in the text, the essay pays attention to analyzing the principle characters’states of mind, the’either-or’ choices, and how to fling off all ethical restraints when individuals are thrown into ethical dilemmas because of the delicate changes in ethical identity. By means of investigating the ethical relationships centered upon the family, the essay analyzes the principle characters’ hard ethical test when they confront the relationships between family bonds, love and kings and chancellcrs. It also expands the relationship between marriage connections, kingdoms and other religions. It explains the competitive, inclusive and symbiotic relationships among heroic ethics, family ethics and Christian Religion ethics. Lastly, according to the tragic ending of the Epic, the essay offers an explanation for the ethical reasons why the heroes died in such a bloody way. Therefore it exposes the Germanic people’s ethical situation as to suited to the specific times and generates research of a new ethical order, or new social protocol,which is the rudiment of law.