Analysis of Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué's Undine in terms of intermediality

This study examines Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué's novel Undine and Christian Petzold's film adaptation of the same name within the context of intermediality. The primary aim of the research is to analyze the aesthetic and structural transformations that occur during the process of reinterpreting a literary work into a cinematic structure. The study delves into the historical and mythological origins of the Undine myth and, within the framework of the Romantic period's literary characteristics, explores elements such as narrative, set design, character development, prominent emotions, and mise-en-scène in detail. The research was conducted using qualitative methods and comparative analysis to thoroughly evaluate both the source text and its adaptation. While Fouqué's work is analyzed as a text reflecting the aesthetic and thematic characteristics of the Romantic period, Petzold's film is examined through the lens of modern cinema's technical capabilities and visual storytelling techniques. Particular attention is given to the adaptation process, including narrative techniques, set design, cinematic tools, and the impact of emotional intensity on the creative process. This study offers a significant framework for understanding the creative interdisciplinary interactions between literature and cinema. The Undine myth has been reinterpreted in both works within different contexts; while its core structure remains intact, it has been adapted to a contemporary perspective through various narrative tools. The film reimagines a classic text with a modern cinematic language, creating new value on both aesthetic and narrative levels.