In the major epics of the 12th century, the narrative structure may have a bearing on interpretation. Drawing upon a new theory of narrative, the present study sets out to substantiate this claim with reference to early major epics in Middle High German. The author examines the »Straßburger Alexander«, »Herzog Ernst B«, »König Rother« and selected episodes in the »Kaiserchronik« for their formal characteristics, narrative structures, and correlation principles. The result is an essentially new perspective on the literary constitution of Middle High German epic poetry before 1180/90.