Hans Folz and Print Culture in Late Medieval Germany

Book excerpt: In this study, author Caroline Huey analyzes the copious literary output of medieval poet and barber-surgeon Hans Folz in all its varietywhether Meisterlied, Reimpaarspruch or carnival play. Heretofore, published research to do with Folz's multifaceted and compelling oeuvre has been fragmentary, because scholars have restricted themselves by genre in examining themes in Folz's work. By integrating the different themes across Folz's output, and by integrating consideration (previously neglected by earlier critics) of Folz's role as barber-surgeon, Huey offers new insights as to the interaction of these themes and to the character of the poet's work overall. She shows that ultimately Folz is concerned with the circulation of knowledge and power, correct and incorrect behavior, and, above all, with finding order. In each chapter, Huey examines a particular theme from Folz's life and/or work. She looks at how adeptly he commandeers the new technology of printing to further his own ends; how his ubiquitous physicality connects his medical body to his Christian body; his attitude toward women; and the anti-Jewish thread in his work.