This is the first of two posts on the Medieval Poem, Pearl. Finishing Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was an expectation I had been waiting for, for many years. Like Gawain and the Green Knight, I read the translation of Pearl by J. R. R. Tolkien. While this poem is widely respected, it never gained the momentum of Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales. Perhaps what is more surprising though, is that the anonymous author of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, commonly called the Gawain Poet, wrote other Medieval Poems that are rich in Christian symbolism. One of the works written by the Gawain Poet, is Pearl.
The story begins by a man falling asleep, while dreaming of the Pearl Woman he had once lost in life. He dreams of her, as she teaches him about Patience, connecting it to the Medieval poem, Patience, believed to be by the same author. The maiden or Pearl of the dream, tells him not to lament for his loss of her. Through much spiritual guidance, the story ends, by the man trusting in the Divine Will of God.
The story is full of theological references including the Immaculate likeness of the Virgin Mary. Jesus Christ, is an important character from within the text, and like His earthly mother, is called, ''Immaculate.'' In Pearl, Christ says that all our called, though only a few are His favorites. I personally found that to be a little funny. The theological implications of the story I think are personally more superior than the plot itself. Like many Medieval works, it teaches a moral lesson to it's readers.
The story is full of theological references including the Immaculate likeness of the Virgin Mary. Jesus Christ, is an important character from within the text, and like His earthly mother, is called, ''Immaculate.'' In Pearl, Christ says that all our called, though only a few are His favorites. I personally found that to be a little funny. The theological implications of the story I think are personally more superior than the plot itself. Like many Medieval works, it teaches a moral lesson to it's readers.
An important note to mention is that there are two Pearls of the story, one is literal, which itself is bore by the woman, the other is the woman herself. The woman is described as being most fair, which is not surprising, considering the many redheads in Medieval art and literature.
Check out the Pearl. I intend to post more on this work at some point.
''Patience is a conquering virtue.'' -Geoffrey Chaucer
''Trust in the Lord with all Thine heart; and lean not unto thy own understanding. In all thy ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. -Proverbs 3: 5-6
Had never heard of the Pearl. Shame that we do not know the authors name, but it has been many years and I suppose the author was anonymous or perhaps the work of a group of writers. Like a playwrite group or a writer's club.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a good one. Yo should check it out.
DeleteI’m looking forward to hearing more on the Pearl! Ty for the Bible verse and connected it with the story❤️💯
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed.
DeleteVery interesting Joshua. You say that author of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was anonymous and I am sure this is correct but I believe you could have been this author if but for a different time. I especially like how this man eventually trusted in the divine will of God. What an outstanding ending! Thanks again Sir Joshua.
ReplyDeleteIt is a very spiritual work.
Deleteah yes, 'the pearl of great price' as Christ mentioned in one of his parables. Here we have the same image, analogous to a woman.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the input Pete.
DeleteVery interesting! This is new to me. Look forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteGreat Doug!
DeleteThis sounds really interesting! I liked your comment: "The theological implications of the story I think are personally more superior than the plot itself." Well-written observation. Also, I wanted to make sure I understood this correctly: the Pearl is the woman in one sense---and you mentioned that she also bore a Pearl..is this a reference to Jesus, then? Thanks, Joshua! Whitney
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed! Hmm, I'm not sure the answer to your question, but I will try to find out.
DeleteEVERYONE knows that all medieval maidens were redheads...even if they don't admit it ;)
ReplyDeleteYes, so true!
DeleteOk, I found you. Going to sleep now but will read it tonite. Looks interesting. Very important that we know the history of the Bible. Helpful when speaking with skeptics and with Jehovah's and Mormons in my experience.
ReplyDeleteAgreed.
DeleteFound you. Working on joining and publishing comments. Got to sleep now though.
ReplyDeleteYes.
DeleteRon keylon
ReplyDeleteNice.
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