49 pages 1 hour read

Gottfried von Strassburg

Tristan

Fiction | Novel/Book in Verse | Adult | Published in 1209

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Tristan by Gottfried von Strassburg is a courtly romance that narrates the tragic love affair of Tristan and Isolde, who fall in love after accidentally drinking a love potion, despite Isolde being promised to Tristan’s uncle, King Mark. Their affair leads to Tristan’s exile and a series of adventures aimed at distracting him from his yearning for Isolde.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Reviews for Gottfried von Strassburg's Tristan highlight its masterful narrative and poetic elegance, lauding the work's sophisticated exploration of courtly love and medieval chivalry. However, some critics note its dense archaic language as a potential barrier for modern readers. Overall, the richness of its themes and storytelling remains widely praised.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Tristan?

A reader who enjoys Tristan by Gottfried von Strassburg is typically fascinated by medieval romance, chivalric culture, and epic narratives. Fans of Le Morte d'Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory and The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer will find this work compelling for its rich storytelling and historical significance.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Narrative / Epic Poem

Classic Fiction

Romance

Period

Medieval Literature / Middle Ages

Themes

Emotions/Behavior: Love

Life/Time: Mortality & Death

Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies