Eckbert the Fair
Jane smith
German 41W
Writing Assignment
When choosing a certain path, one must understand that along with that decision, there come consequences. In Ludwig’s Tieck’s tale “Eckbert the Fair, ” it is clear that the characters are being punished for their personal actions. The supernatural forces in this fairy tale, simply laid out challenges for the characters to see if they would follow the right path. Like everyone else, Bertha and Eckbert had come across decisions in their life, where they were able to understand the difference between picking the right from wrong choice. By deciding to go against their self-conscious, and making the wrong choices, Bertha and Eckbert meet a tragic fate. This tale is haunted by supernatural and psychological forces, which greatly influence the choices these character make. In the beginning of the tale we are introduced to the introverted Eckbert, a knight who lived a quiet and peaceful life with his wife. However, Eckbert did have one friend, Walther whom he was very fond of. The readers get a sense that even though Eckbert is portrayed as a quiet and solitary man he is still somewhat content with his peaceful life. Upon feeling the desperate need to tell his friend everything, Eckbert decided to confide in his friend and have his wife recount her childhood story. “There are times when it troubles a man to keep a secret from a friend, a secret which, until then had been guarded with the utmost care: his soul is overcome by an irresistible desire to confide completely, to bare it’s innermost emotions to that friend, so that their friendship can become closer” (p35-36) It is obvious in this example, Eckbert’s strong desire to make the decision of confiding in his friend. However, after having his wife tells Walther her story, Eckbert then finds himself uneasy with his decision. He begins to regret it and cannot get it out his mind that Walther will somehow betray him. The torment he felt was so great, that it drove him
German 41W
Writing Assignment
When choosing a certain path, one must understand that along with that decision, there come consequences. In Ludwig’s Tieck’s tale “Eckbert the Fair, ” it is clear that the characters are being punished for their personal actions. The supernatural forces in this fairy tale, simply laid out challenges for the characters to see if they would follow the right path. Like everyone else, Bertha and Eckbert had come across decisions in their life, where they were able to understand the difference between picking the right from wrong choice. By deciding to go against their self-conscious, and making the wrong choices, Bertha and Eckbert meet a tragic fate. This tale is haunted by supernatural and psychological forces, which greatly influence the choices these character make. In the beginning of the tale we are introduced to the introverted Eckbert, a knight who lived a quiet and peaceful life with his wife. However, Eckbert did have one friend, Walther whom he was very fond of. The readers get a sense that even though Eckbert is portrayed as a quiet and solitary man he is still somewhat content with his peaceful life. Upon feeling the desperate need to tell his friend everything, Eckbert decided to confide in his friend and have his wife recount her childhood story. “There are times when it troubles a man to keep a secret from a friend, a secret which, until then had been guarded with the utmost care: his soul is overcome by an irresistible desire to confide completely, to bare it’s innermost emotions to that friend, so that their friendship can become closer” (p35-36) It is obvious in this example, Eckbert’s strong desire to make the decision of confiding in his friend. However, after having his wife tells Walther her story, Eckbert then finds himself uneasy with his decision. He begins to regret it and cannot get it out his mind that Walther will somehow betray him. The torment he felt was so great, that it drove him