The study investigates the 13th and 14th century works handed down to us under the name of Tannhäuser. Philological analysis and exhaustive interpretation are employed to achieve a reasoned stance vis-à-vis unresolved Tannhäuser problems and to probe some of the things hitherto taken for granted in literary historiography. In addition the attempt is made to provide a convincing overall characterization of Tannhäuser as an authorial personality, not least with a view to reexamining the scope and limitations of an author-oriented approach to medieval literature. The annex contains Tannhäuser's "Bußlied" (Song of Penance) and "Hofzucht" (The Perfect Courtier) making them available for the first time complete with modern German translations.