"Brandaan" van D.J. Opperman as verwerking van 'n Middelnederlandse teks

Abstract

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").