Medieval dutch literature in context - Literary-historical research from Hermes to philology

In the past decennia, the study of Dutch medieval literature has mainly focused on the social context and functional aspects of medieval literary texts. The author claims that the study of Dutch medieval literature has become immobile. A broader field of study is desired. Scholars should invest all their cognitive and affective capacities in their research, which naturally incorporates every kind of 'text' in the semiotic sense of the word. Only by opening up to more international and interdisciplinary influences - and by making Dutch texts available to an international audience - can the discipline contribute to an overarching purpose: a better understanding of man as a creator and practitioner of cultural symbols.