English: This thesis includes an introduction to De Reis van Sente Brandane,
a Middle Dutch poem upon which Opperman based his cycle of sonnets,
"Brandaan". Special attention has been given to Dutch Medieval
religious literature as well as the origin, development and
characteristics of De Reis. Then each of Opperman's eight sonnets
is discussed with special reference to their matrix - the Middle
Dutch text - and the way in which this original text was in each
case adapted to the reality of present-day South Africa. Attention
is also given to formal aspects (rhyme, enjambement, use of words,
metaphor, etcetera). Tangents with other poems in the Opperman
oeuvre and his essay "Kuns is boos!" are investigated. Pronouncements
of critics, wherever they are relevant, are discussed. Finally the
sonnets as a cycle are investigated with a view to their independence
and/or interdependence. It becomes obvious that Opperman made more
use of the mother text than critics have pointed out to date. (Compare
in this regard especially "Vuurlopers" and "Man met horries").
Afrikaans: Hierdie verhandelinef bevat 'n inleiding tot De Reis van Sente Brandane, die Middelnederlandse oerteks waarop Opperman se sonnette-siklus,
"Brandaan", gebaseer is. Aandag word gegee aan die Middeleeus-geestelike letterkunde, asook aan die ontstaansgeskiedenis en kenmerke van
De Reis. Vervolgens word die agt Opperman-sonnette afsonderlik bespreek met besondere verwysing na hul oorsprong in die Middelnederlandse teks en die omwerking van die oergegewe tot die Suid-Afrikaanse werklikheid. Daar word oak na vormsaKe (rym, enjambering, woord gebruik, beeldspraak, ensovoorts) gekyk. Raakpunte met ander gedigte in Opperman se oeuvre en sy opstel "Kuns is boos!" word nagegaan.
Waar van toepassing is uitsprake van kritici betrek en bespreek. Ten
slotte word die sonnette as siklus bespreek en hulle selfstandigheid
en/of interafhanklikheid nagegaan. Dit blyk dat Opperman op grater
skaal van die oerbron gebruik gemaak het as wat kritici tot dusver
aangetoon het ( vergelyk veral "Vuurlopers" en "Man met harries").
