Hearing and regarding animal pain in Heinrich’s Reinhart Fuchs and Kaulbach’s Reineke Fuchs illustrations

Simpson, J. R. (2018) Hearing and regarding animal pain in Heinrich’s Reinhart Fuchs and Kaulbach’s Reineke Fuchs illustrations. Oxford German Studies, 47(1), pp. 17-34. (doi: 10.1080/00787191.2018.1409507)

Abstract

This article considers representations of animal suffering, examining the cultural and political ramifications of images showing the mortal pain and fear of ‘lesser’ creatures. Relations between pathos and comedy can provide insights into the importance accorded either voice or vision in ethical appeal. Beginning with the poisoning of king Vrevel in the twelfth-century Reinhart Fuchs, an episode without precedent or analogue in the fox tradition, this article explores the legacies of reflection on animal identity and suffering across versions of the animal epic. As a later counterpoint to Heinrich’s verbal evocation, the piece examines the playfully savage silencing and debasement of animal tongues in Wilhelm von Kaulbach’s illustrations for the 1846 edition of Goethe’s Reineke Fuchs. Insofar as Vrevel’s death is an (animal) end of empire, the article also shows how the function of animals in Carolingian ideologies finds echo in later sources and suggests possibilities for further reflection. Keywords: animals, beast, Heinrich (‘der Glichezare’), Wilhelm von Kaulbach, Goethe, Hincmar of Reims, ethics, orality, pathos, tragi-comedy, Charlemagne, Carolingian

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: animals, beast, Heinrich (‘der Glichezare’), Wilhelm von Kaulbach, Goethe, Hincmar of Reims, ethics, orality, pathos, tragi-comedy, Charlemagne, Carolingian
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Simpson, Dr James
• Authors: Simpson, J. R.
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Modern Languages and Cultures > French
• Journal Name: Oxford German Studies
• Journal Abbr.: OGS
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• ISSN: 0078-7191
• ISSN (Online): 1745-9214
• Published Online: 02 February 2018
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor and Francis Group
• First Published: First published in Oxford German Studies 47(1):17-34
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy