Wie fanden Riesen ihren Weg in die altjiddische Literatur und woher kommen sie?

A comparison of the oldest known fragment of Yiddish literature, Dukus Horant with an Arthurian Romance (Widuwilt/Artushof) and an epic about Dietrich von Bern (published in 1597 by Isaak ben Aharon - a version of the MHG Younger Sigenot) shorn that these texts have an interesting common feature: they are saturated with descriptions of mythical giants. Why do these figures appear here? What is their progeny? A critical survey of several hitherto proposed solutions leads to the conclusion that not MHG texts but a general acquaintance with popular European beliefs and stories were the source of the old Yiddish giants. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]