Wolfram von Eschenbach's Parzival, having raised the siege of Belrepeire, finds its inhabitants gripped by famine. They have slack skin, ashen complexions and sunken bellies. Parzival knows what must be done to avoid the frenzied scenes which would otherwise ensue now food is again available: 'Faultless Parzival proceeded as follows. He first shared out the victuals neatly himself . . . He did not wish them to gorge themselves on empty stomachs, so he gave them enough and no more, and they were pleased to follow his advice. He gave them some more in the evening, steady affable man that he was.'

LRB 21 June 2001 | PDF Download