Isegrim

Isegrim ( MHG Îsengrîn from Isen, iron ' and grînen growl, '), the wolf, is a mythical creature from the epic Reynard the Fox, and embodies the feudal baron. It symbolizes power, ruthlessness, greed, ferocity, viciousness, but also clumsiness, which is why he is tricked again by the wily fox. However, the name also from grima, helmet ',' mask ',' face ' are derived and means so gray face / iron mask and thus represents a Kenning for the wolf, and as a result a man's name.

Background

Just as Reineke Fuchs is the original shape of the Isegrim figure from the Middle East come. While there he is said to have similar yet had ambivalent character traits of the Trickster, the Wolf in Christianity (Old Testament) was exclusively seen as a symbol of evil, as Satan, who had the good shepherd, the servant of God juxtaposed.

In the Latin Middle Ages, the wolf was as Ysengrimus hero of an animal epic, which was probably built in the 12th century in Flanders and in which he for the first time got its name, with which he was identified in European literature from now on.