Customer Reviews

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Signet Classics)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is perhaps the most authentically English of all the King Arthur tales. Most of the Arthurian mythos was largely a largely French creation, when the Norman conquerors discovered a few old Celtic legends about Arthur and wove them into a dynamic myth of chivalric idealism. The story of Sir Gawain is regarded by most scholars as a much purer version of those Celtic stories, as well as a much more nuanced synthesis of Celtic cultural heritage with Christian ideals. J.R.R. Tolkien was fond of citing it as one of his very favorite stories and deepest influences.

Raffel's translation is sure to endear itself to any fan of fantasy, medieval literature, or the King Arthur stories. It flows with the simple beauty of a dream, and the purity of heart of Gawain himself. Do yourself a favor and spend an hour or two reading this.

This 14th Century poem is one of the earliest known works in English. Its provenance is a mystery because literally nothing is known of the poet. It is written in a unique dialect of Middle English and is pretty much unread in the original. This verse translation by Burton Raffel is terrific and does much to elevate the work to the level of Beowulf & Chaucer.

At Christmas time, a Green Knight enters Camelot and challenges any Knight of the Roundtable to smite him with one blow of a battle axe. The only catch is that one year hence the smiter must receive a similar blow from the Green Knight. Sir Gawain volunteers for this strange duty. He beheads the Green Knight who thereupon picks up his laughing head and reminds Gawain of his obligation & tells him to find him in exactly one year to receive the blow.

The enchanting adventure leading up to and inculding their subsequent confrontation is beautifully rendered by Raffel. The poem is exciting, humorous & deals with great themes: courage, honor, etc.

GRADE: A+

I was required to read this book in college ... and I loved it. A tale of courage, the knights code of moral and adventure, this book is not only an adventure story but a depiction of the human condition. Selfishness and fear can ruin our moral constitutions. The knight was a tower strength and courage yet the book brought to focus his fears and his selfishness.

I'm sure there are deeper levels of analysis for this book - good books often do.

- johnny -

This exciting, powerful myth combines the best of the old Celtic belief in the sanctity of a solemn promise and the Christian ethic of forgiveness. It is moving, dramatic, and inspiring.

I was required to read this book in college ... and I loved it. A tale of courage, the knights code of moral and adventure, this book is not only an adventure story but a depiction of the human condition. Selfishness and fear can ruin our moral constitutions. The knight was a tower strength and courage yet the book brought to focus his fears and his selfishness.

I'm sure there are deeper levels of analysis for this book - good books often do.

- johnny -

I am a newbie to the Knights of the Round Table. I picked this book on a whim. When I learned that this tale is a parody of the Arthurian legends, I wasn't sure if I would be able to enjoy it. Burton Raffel's introduction proved me wrong. He explained the poem with historical and literary insights. He is very vocal about the other literary critics' interpretations. At the end of the introduction, Raffel gives a short list of Sir Gawain study guides, complete with Raffel's opinion of each. (His opinions will save a lot of time and money to Sir Gawain researchers.)

And, thanks to Raffel, I was able to enjoy this story. Keeping in mind that the Knights were parodied, I appreciated their idiosyncracies even more. Raffel cautions the reader not to overanalyze, and so I did not. (I enjoyed the book for what it is- a parody, rather than some such commentary on medieval life!) I was giggling over the interactions between Gawain and the lady- a medieval Sex and the City dialogue! There are two surprise twists at the end. The first, Gawain and the Green Knight. Second, Arthur and his court's response to Gawain's confession.

This is a poem about Christian human nature. Yes, Gawain is a Christian (of the Catholic tradition, but this poem is pre-Reformation, so...). Gawain attends mass, makes ejaculations, asks saints for intercession, and constantly blesses everyone. He has a fear of hell. He makes penance. Yet, Gawain is human- he is not perfect. He makes mistakes- we all do. He confesses, hopes to start again without committing the same sins. This represents so many of us living in 2009. Timeless poetry.

What was also beautiful, especially for this post-Vatican II Catholic, was the references to Christian holidays, saints, and God's power. Michaelmas is mentioned, as is Saint Julian (patron of travelers). The poet's Marianism is expressed through Gawain and others' dialogues. I also liked the use of the four seasons and liturgical calendar.

"But a year runs fast, and always runs different;
Start and finish are never the same.
So Christmas goes by, and all the swift year,
Each season racing after the other:
Christmas pursued by uncomfortable Lent,
Trying men's felsh flesh with simple food
And with fish; then fair weather fights with foul,
Clouds fill the sky, the cold shrinks away,
Rain falls clear in warm showers,
And flat earth opens into flower
And fields and plains grow thick and green,
Birds start their nests and sing like angels
For love of soft summer, creeping across
The slopes;
And hedgegrows swell tall,
And blossoms blow open,
And glorious woods are all
Echoing joy and hope.

And after symmer's soft winds, Zephyrus
Whistles quietly with seeds and herbs,
Sprouting delightful plants, painted
Wet with dew falling from leaves,
Wating to be warm in the bright sun.
Then autumn comes rushing, calling the plants
To watch for winter, to grow while they can;
And he dries the earth and drives dust
Swirling to the sky, and wild winds
Run to wrestle with the sun; leaves
Are thrown from trees and lie dead on the ground,
And green grass withers. And everything
Slender and new ripens and rots,
And a year runs away in passing days,
And winter winds back, as winter must,
Just so.
Till Michaelmas moon
Promises snow-
And Gawain soon
Recalls what he has to do.

This is excellent prose in the King Arthur mythos about a knight of the round table named Sir Gawain. La Morte D'Arthur by the same publishing company is the standard all Arthur genre books are judged by. While not up to the level of Sir Thomas Malory's masterpiece, it's a worthwhile and short read. Recomended for prose enthusiasts past and present.

I read this in high school and loved it. I bought the book a while back -- and I still love reading this piece!

This was one of the books i had to read in my Eng 101 class.. loved it.. one of the only books I've read cover to cover. Interesting and inspiring