Sir Gawain and The Green Knight (Oxford World's Classics) [Paperback]

Helen Cooper (Editor), Keith Harrison (Translator)

Book Description

Series: Oxford World's Classics | Publication Date: February 4, 1999

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is probably the most skillfuly told story in the whole of the English Arthurian cycle. Originating from the north-west midlands of England, it is based on two ancient Celtic motifs--the Beheading and the Exchange of Winnings--brought together by the anonymous 14th century author. Acclaimed poet Keith Harrison's new translation uses a modern alliterative pattern which subtly echoes the music of the original at the same time it strives for fidelity. This is the most generously annotated edition available, complete with a detailed introduction which situates the work in the context of Arthurian Romance and analyzes its poetics and narrative structure.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The Oxford World's Classics edition offers students an excellent introduction to this classic text and also important notes and chronologies.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (February 4, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192833340
• ISBN-13: 978-0192833341
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,239,508 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #74 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Arthurian

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great medieval romance, July 3, 2001

By 

Sergio Flores (Orange, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sir Gawain and The Green Knight (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)

This version of "Sir Gawain" must be one of the best around. Keith Harrison translates into modern English a fascinating poem of challenge, witchcraft, temptation, and courage, composed in a mix of alliterative-epic verse with the "bob-and-wheel" that closes each stanza. The introduction explains all these terms, plus others, in case the reader is not familiarized with them. The translator has kept the rhythmic cadence of the bob and wheel, while the alliterative part is correspondingly "epic," dealing with the serious subject at hand. The explanatory notes are helpful, although here, as in the entire Oxford Classics Collection, numbered footnotes would have been better than the not-numbered endnotes we get.

The story of "Sir Gawain" lends itself to several interpretations, since under the apparently simple surface of a challenge to King Arthur's Court and the ensuing adventure of Gawain, there are other plots, different points of view, and a very modern juxtaposition of perspectives that other poems, such as "Havelock" or Marie de France's "Lais" simply do not have. A mysterious Green Knight challenges King Arthur's Knights to a bizarre contest. Gawain answers, and from then on nothing is what appears to be: a decapitated man will live to restore his head to his body, Gawain will go looking for the Green Knight's abode and find a castle where the owner will offer a little challenge of his own, while the owner's wife does her best to seduce Gawain. The descriptions of the hunts are vivid and violent. The descriptions of the bedroom scenes between Gawain and the lady of the house are playful but menacing at the same time. Almost everything is explained when Gawain realizes that he is not such a perfect model of Knighthood as he thought, and when both he and the reader can see that the true contest has taken place far from battle axes, hunts, and bloody hounds killing their prey. What does not get an explanation, though, is Gawain's extreme condemnation of himself while he absolutely ignores the witchcraft used to trick him, his host's false pretenses, the lady's hypocrisy, and the good ol' joke they have played at his expense. "Sir Gawain" could have used a different ending, and not Gawain eternally sad because he finds out that he is human after all, but what we get here is very good. This English medieval romance delivers quite a lot. Read it and enjoy.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for any reader, November 7, 2003

By 

Gene Weinstein (Cornell University, Ithaca, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sir Gawain and The Green Knight (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)

This book is probably one of the best out there to dive into the world or Arthurian Romances. Harrison's translation is easy to understand, and provides helpful endnotes for much of the historical context. The plot is exciting, and the story progresses smoothly. Although the introduction by Helen Cooper is very informative about the author and subject of the novel, it also provides interpretations of the story itself. I would recommend that those who are unfamiliar with the story to take Cooper's advice and not read it, for it will give away much of the plot, which is rather intricate.
The novel starts out in King Arthur's court, around Christmas time. An unusual visitor arrives, in the form of a giant knight, who as the title implies, is green. He makes a challenge that is met by Sir Gawain, the king's nephew. After a short display, he finds out that he will ultimately have to confront the knight a year later to receive his deathblow. Thus, the story begins, as Gawain sets out on his voyage, to not only find the Green Knight, but also the hero in himself.
Although not too long, the text is very rich. It is full of subliminal messages, which create plots of their own. However, it can still be enjoyed even when taken literally, thanks to the clear writing of Harrison, and to the imagination of the original author.
At less than ten dollars, the book is an excellent value. Although a casual reader would get enjoyment from one reading, further readings would almost certainly bring out new themes and revelations to those more familiar with Arthurian romances, making this a must for any Arthurian enthusiast.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic worthy of the name, August 20, 2001

By 

K. Jump (Corbin, KY United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sir Gawain and The Green Knight (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)

Many would-be readers are put-off by the word "classic," inferring that anything tagged with that label is necessarily dry, inaccessible, and out-of-touch. Sadly, they're often right. But the immortal tale of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is one book from Oxford World's Classics no fan of Arthurian literature can afford to miss. You want it, it's here: action and romance, mystery and suspense, a heroic quest and a seemingly diabolic villain, and some of the most beautiful word-play ever put to paper, all wonderfully rendered in a fine easy-to-grasp translation by Keith Harrison.

Readers expecting the same Gawain from Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur may be in for a bit of shock. The titular hero of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is far more valiant than later writers chose to present him. Indeed, even the mighty Lancelot pales next to Gawain here. When the inscrutable Green Knight thunders into Camelot to challenge the King, none but Gawain dares step forward to accept the challenge on Arthur's behalf. It's clear that in the eys of this poem's author, Gawain--not Lancelot--was chivalry's greatest champion.

Though a story told in verse, Harrison's Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is actually easier reading than any edition of Malory I've seen, while the strong introduction and explanatory notes take care of most of the trouble spots. Acccessibility was clearly a major priority.

Like all the best stories, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is never the same twice. I first encountered this timeless tale years ago in college, but reading Harrison's edition was a whole new experience. The poem is full of symbolism and raises many questions about the nature of chivalry, heroism, courtesy, sin, success, failure, and duty--someof which the poet leaves to the reader to answer for himself.

For those of you who haven't read this poem for a while, Harrison's translation is a great way to get reacquainted with an old friend. And to those who have never read it, fearful of yet another barren "classic," give it a shot. It's definitely worth it.