Things in medieval literature: Historic modes of human-thing-relations

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Sophie Marshall
• Subject Area: German Medieval Studies (Medieval German Literature)
• Term: from 2019 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 424094754

The network investigates material things in medieval literature. It aims to develop a coherent thing-theoretical approach, taking into account methods from narratology, media theory, and cultural anthropology. It assumes three major dimensions of human-thing-relations in fictional and non-fictional texts of the Middle Ages: first, things are linked to emotions and (sometimes reciprocal) desire; second, their perception and cognitive apprehension is thematised, including an interest in the aesthetics and semiosis of things; and third, communication and action takes place by means of things, including transcendental communication, gift-giving, and agential things. In the course of investigating these three areas of work (emotion/desire, perception/cognition, communication/action), the compatibility of the relatively recent approach of thing studies with long-established fields of research will also be discussed.

• DFG Programme: Scientific Networks