Dear Ian,
Students of German will all recall reading Hartmann von Aue's Armer
Heinrich, in which a young virgin offers to give her blood to cure Heinrich's
leprosy (a 'cure' known already to Pliny). When Heinrich sees her naked
and hears the surgeon sharpening his knife he regrets his self-centred
behaviour, preferring to continue as an outcast rather than see such
beauty destroyed. (God intervenes, of course, and there is a happy ending
after all.)
My purpose in saying this is that some critic has drawn parallels between
this scene and acts of martyrdom, but I can't for the life of me remember
who it was. I will find out. Remind me when we next meet.
Frank
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