Schwank

Schwank denotes in medieval and 16th-c. literature a humorous narrative or play. The narratives, which are usually collections of anecdotes connected with a legendary practical joker, extend over the whole period and include Der Pfaffe Amis (13th c.) by Der Stricker, Neidhart Fuchs (15th c.), Der Pfaffe vom Kahlenberg (15th c.) by P. Frankfurter, Till Eulenspiegel (1515), Schimpf und Ernst (1522) by J. Pauli, Peter Leu (c.1550, see Widmann, A. J.), Das Rollwagenbüchlein (1555) by G. Wickram, Das Nachtbüchlein (1558) by V. Schumann, and Das Lalenbuch (1597).

The dramatic Schwank is confined to the 16th c., and its principal exponent is Hans Sachs. Schwänke occur in both verse and prose.