Parzival - Women in Parzival

Women in Parzival

The place of women in medieval German literature was in general an exalted one and Wolfram as an author purports this by making womanhood as an ideal for his characters. The characters like that of Herzeloyde, Sigune and Condwiramurs are not only intimately involved in Parzival’s search but also closely related to the Graal itself. The character of Herzeloyde, Parzival’s mother, is a virtuous woman. With a selfless devotion and the humility which is another vital attribute to the Graal King and as a descendent of the Graal family, she makes both the conscious and unconscious choice to guide Parzival on the quest to take his fated place as next in the lineage. Her advice is interpreted in the context of his finding both love and God as guidance towards better being prepared to take on the Graal. The womanly kinship of Sigune is the next guide that Parzival shall encounter. Her appearance (at three times in the tale) is essential and occurs on each occasion at a significant stage in his progress, at a point when he is in urgent need of some kind of guidance. Her first contribution is to provide Parzival his identity, an essential detail for a man that his mother was not able to impart. She directs him to Arthurs’s Court, and in doing so heads him off to the quest. In their second meeting she scolds him for failing to understand the nature of his quest and goal, ultimately pushing him to the atonement needed to fully grasp his duty as Graal King. Thirdly, the last meeting of Parzival and Sigune is one of quiet recognition, her life a prayer in itself that anticipates the same state for Parzival. The last woman for Parzival is his wife, Condwiramurs. Her role lies in the “love of a devoted wife. She is interesting in that her vitality lies in what she is, rather than her specific guidance to Parzival. The time that Parzival must recognize his inability to possess her, he leaves her and does not return. Her symbolic significance allows her character to be a guide in terms of the readiness of Parzival. Ultimately, both the Graal and Conwiramurs combine to form Parzival’s goal. She spurs him on his quest, and like the Graal itself, is an inspiration and reward. In the end, her guidance is best represented by her name on the Graal as well as Parzival.