Wirnt von Grafenberg, Wigalois

Abstract

For the first time, the alliterating word-pairs in Wirnt’s von Gravenberg “Wigalois” are completely listed and analyzed, especially in comparison with previous attestations in Old and Middle High German. Thus, the comprehensive history of the alliterating word-pair in German moves into the second decade of the thirteenth century, by which time over 1,500 such pairs are recorded. References to Ulrich’s von Zatzikhoven “Lanzelot,” often considered together with “Wigalois,” are included. Texts thought to be similar do not necessarily reveal a comparable phraseological inventory, while the authors appear to employ a similar strategy of creating new pairings.