Parzival

In what ways are duels considered chivalric? How are duels between knights used to create a sense of identity and further reputation? Are duels always presented as honorable?

Compare and contrast Parzival and Gawan. How is each knight characterized? What significance do their dual roles have in the text? How does each knight illustrate some of the text’s key themes and ideas?

How is Christianity depicted in the story? How does the text explore Christian concepts such as sin, repentance, and redemption?

What roles do magic and mysticism play in the story? How do these elements co-exist with—or challenge—the overarching Christian framework?

Analyze the gender dynamics in Parzival. What ideals of femininity and masculinity are presented? How do relations between men and women relate to larger societal values or prejudices?

The idea of the journey or pilgrimage is of central importance in Parzival. What roles do journeys or pilgrimages play in both a literal and figurative sense in the narrative? How do they relate to the key themes of the text?

What is the relationship between Parzival and exile? Does he have a place in society? Are there other characters who operate outside of the parameters of cultural and social expectations? If so, in what ways? Strengthen your response with textual evidence.

How are different forms of authority depicted in the text? In what ways are parental authority, political authority, and/or a mentor’s authority shown to be effective or ineffective? How and why?