Knittelvers (alsoKnüttelvers orKnittel) is a kind ofGermanicverse meter which originated in Germany during theMiddle Ages. In Knittelvers, consecutive linesrhyme pairwise (AABB) and each line has fourstresses.[1] "Strict" Knittelvers has eight or nine syllables on each line, whereas "free" Knittelvers can use more or fewer. It may be considered a form ofdoggerel and is sometimes called "Knüttelvers" (lit. 'cudgel verse') because of its rhythm.[2] In German, this form of poetry was popular during the 15th and 16th centuries but rejected in the 17th before being brought back into use byJohann Christoph Gottsched in the 18th century.[2][3]
The only rule for classical Knittelvers poetry was that the use ofcoupletrhyme scheme. In his workDeutscher Versgeschichte (1925–1929),Andreas Heusler introduced the distinction between a strict Knittelvers (which depending on thecadence of the verse uses eight or nine syllables) and a free Knittelverse (using any count of syllables).[4]
The modern Knittelvers (neuhochdeutsche Knittelvers), p.e. inGoethe's Faust, became an established metric in German poetry. Unlike classical Knittelvers, it is not restricted to couplet rhyme scheme.
During the 15th and 16th century, the Knittelvers was commonly used in drama, as well as spoken didactic or satirical poetry.[2] Sung poetry used freer verse forms.
Baroque literature theorists tried to ban the Knittelvers, as they regarded it as not artistic. Therefore, its use became restricted to popular poetry and satirical works. During theSturm und Drang literary movement, it was rehabilitated, since the authors distanced themselves from classical forms, embracing Germanic forms instead.[4] From the 19th century on, its use became rare, mostly restricted to comical poetry.
Examples of free Knittelvers in German includeFastnachtspiele (Shrovetide plays) written in the 15th century byHans Folz andHans Rosenplüt [de], and post-revival work byGoethe andFriedrich Schiller. Writers of strict Knittelvers includeHans Sachs. Modern Knittelvers is typicallysatirical,parodic orlight poetry, i.e. humorous. It can be used inchildren's verse.[2]
In Swedish, Knittelvers is used in theEufemiavisorna and inErikskrönikan, as in the following example:
mangt eth gamalt fädernis swerd | Many an old father's sword |
Here, the introductory line lies outside thecoupletrhyme scheme, which becomes ABBCC instead of AABBCC.
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