Isengrim, the Wolf | |
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Real Name |
Isengrim |
First Appearance |
Le Roman de Renart (ca 1170) |
Original Publisher |
Harper & Brothers |
Created by |
Unknown (earliest writings by Pierre de Saint-Cloud) |
Synopsis[]
Isengrim is one of Reynard's fiercest rivals and primary antagonist, often portrayed as the enforcer of King Noble's law. Isengrim is often depicted as strong and authoritative, but is greedy, brutal, and not particularly clever. He frequently falls victim to Reynard's schemes and is driven by a desire for revenge against the fox.
Isengrim is sometimes depicted as Reynard's uncle and former partner in crime. He challenges Reynard to duels and Reynard usually wins through cunning. However, Isengrim eventually wins a chess game against Reynard while the fox is drunk. The wager that Isengrim is then entitled to any part of Reynard's body, results in a fatal wound.
Public Domain Literary Appearances[]
- Nivardus' Ysengrinus (1148-1153)
- Le Roman de Renart (1174, sequel in 1179)
- Reinhart Fuchs (1180)
- Van den vos Reynaerde (1260)
- The Historie of Reynart the Foxe (1485)
- The Comical Creatures from Wurtemberg (1851)
- Rénert the Fox (1872)
Notes[]
- Isengrim served as the basis for Disney's rendition of the Sheriff of Nottingham in their 1973 adaptation of Robin Hood.