Recently, I finished the classic epic poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. In fact, I finished the book several weeks ago, but have been busy focusing my last three posts on the debate of Papal Infallibility. Now that those posts are finished, I can now return to posting more on Medieval Literature again, as well as other areas of Medieval History that I'd like to post about soon. Of course, I also occasionally do a post on other areas of literature or history that are not strictly Medieval.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is among the most important works of Medieval literature. It touches on chivalry, allegory, and piety-all important concepts throughout English Medieval literature. A contemporary work of other important Middle English texts by the same anonymous poet, Sir Gawain, and the Green Knight blends Gothic darkness with the virtues of Christianity. In many ways, I argue that the Green Knight symbolizes paganism while Gawain represents Christianity. I hope to touch more on this in a future post.
The translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight that I used and read was the one written by none other than the great J. R. R Tolkien. We often think of Tolkien as the maker of Middle Earth, but he did so much more than even The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien taught Anglo-Saxon and was well aware of its influence upon culture.
I enjoyed this book but found it a hard read. I didn't find it an easy read at all. That said, I greatly enjoyed it.
The great J. R. R. Tolkien in the above picture.
The actual story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was full of many surprises. After finishing the poem, I read a children's version of it to better understand the story. While I am not going to reveal here the plot or the surprises that go with it, the story largely focuses on the romance between Gawain and his lady, as well as Gawain's search for the mysterious green knight. This book was written by an anonymous author at around the same time that Geoffrey Chaucer was composing The Canterbury Tales. Make sure to check it out!
I wasn't aware there was any romance in this story. Interesting! I would like to read the children's version...this story has always interested me. Thank you, Sir Joshua! Whitney
ReplyDeleteYes, it is full of romance! Glad you enjoyed!
DeleteAre you going to re-read in the future? How does this differ from Beowulf? You make reading books so fun❤️
ReplyDeleteYes, I will read it again. Beowulf is more about a knight that takes on wild beasts then is Gawain and the Green Knight. Also, the latter work is more rooted in Christian literature, than is the former, which is more Paganistic.
DeleteI have read and thoroughly enjoyed Sir Gawain and The Green Knight. The honor and chivalry were inspirational. Plus the writer's use of suspense kept me turning pages. Though early in literature, some of these writers were quite skilled in their story writing. Quite amazing when you consider they did not have the wealth of mentors and resources that we have today.
ReplyDeleteYet in many ways they add sources today that we don't. Humans haven't progressed nearly as much as Evolutionist would persuade people that they have.
DeleteI love the idea of honor and chivalry but would have difficulty reading Sir Gawain and The Green Knight because, like you said, it is a difficult read. With that said it is much easier to understand and more interesting to have you read it and explain it because you make every book so interesting. I love the pic of J.R.R. Tolkien also. It seemed so peaceful. Thanks for sharing your insight and great writing Joshua.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed.
DeleteI need to read Tolkien's version of this tale. I am correct to think he focused on English sources instead of the French?
ReplyDeleteThe Arthurian Romances were written in French though not Sir Gawain in the Green Knight.
DeleteThose are good too!
DeleteConsidering that it was written originally in Middle English Doug, I expect that is what he translated from. You are probably thinking of the fact that some of the Arthurian Stories were originally written in French.
ReplyDeleteAnother interesting post, Joshua! I read a modern English translation of this so many years ago that I have forgotten many of the details, so I can't comment too much. I did love the story though and I need to go back and read it again. You're doing some excellent work with all of this research and writing though!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed Ben.
DeleteNeat! I need to read this one, too!!! :)
ReplyDeleteYes.
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