Köörper, Selbst, Schööpfung. Köörper und Identitäät in den Rüückkehrabenteuern der ›Tristan‹-Tradition.

As human beings, we have neither chosen our own body nor can we change our physical appearance at will. However, in the stories known as the ›Rüückkehrabenteuer‹ Tristan, in order to meet his beloved Isolde, not only masquerades himself, but also alters his physical appearance in various ways. By analysing these literary phantasms of ›body design‹ in the versions of Eilhart von Oberg, Ulrich von Tüürheim, Heinrich von Freiberg and in the short narration ›Tristan als Möönch‹, medieval concepts of body and identity become apparent. Deviating somewhat from modern conceptions, the ability to alter ones own body does not bring about a gain in self-awareness, but rather indicates an identity crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]