Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

~ Anonymous (Author), (Translator) "THE siege and the assault being ceased at Troy,..." (more)
Key Phrases: green chapel, green knight, green girdle, Sir Gawain, New Year, Round Table (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This is a modern translation of the classical medieval poem relating Sir Gawain's romances, his conflict with the Green Knight, and return to the Round Table. The unknown 14th century author (a contemporary of Chaucer) has imbued his work with the heroic atmosphere of saga, with the spirit of French romance, and with a Christian consciousness. It is a poem in which the virtues of a knight, Sir Gawain, triumphant in almost insuperable ordeals, are celebrated to the glory of the House of Arthur.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics; 2 edition (November 30, 1959)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140440925
• ISBN-13: 978-0140440928
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #489,461 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Modern English Translation of This Masterpiece, May 5, 2002

By	Joelline "joelline" (United States) - See all my reviews

I know that the Marie Borroff translation is much praised, but this one is far better for the undergraduate classroom. While both translations share some characteristics (both are in poetry, both try to maintain the alliteration), you need only compare/contrast the "bob and wheel" (last 5 lines of each stanza) to see that Stone has managed to maintain "the sting in the tail" so typical of the original Middle English version--wherein a significant or surprising part of the stanza often appears in the bob and wheel--start with Fitt I, stanzas 4 and 7. Stone also maintains the "alliterative signaling" oral tradition: when possible he tries to alliterate only key words (Boroff seems happy when she can alliterate anything in the line, regardless of its significance to theme or motif!). As a medievalist, I am truly sorry to see so many of my colleagues jumping on the Borroff bandwagon when this superior, alternative translation is so readily available.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Burrow's Penguin Classics edition is a solid resource, December 5, 2003

By	Christopher Culver - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

The Penguin Classics edition of SIR GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT, edited by J.A. Burrow, is fantastic for motivated readers who wish to approach the text as it really is, and delve deep into its symbolism and historical references. Burrow's edition is not a translation into modern English, but a presentation of the original Middle English with enough notes and and a glossary so copious that the reasonably well-educated reader will be able to tackle and even really enjoy this important work.

While it was written at the same time as Chaucer's CANTERBURY TALES, which is difficult but of which the modern reader can usually get the gist, SIR GAWAIN is written in a dialect of rural England which seems more impenetrable nowadays. Under this archaic facade, however, lies a magical tale ostensibly of Arthurian myth, but which is really an adaptation of an older, indigenous legend. The framing of the tale attempts to claim a noble heritage for England from Troy like the Roman poet Vergil had done for Rome with his AENEID.

I was a bit disappointed by the lack of a decent introduction. Barrow provides only a brief explanation of how the text was typeset and minor alterations in spelling, but I would have preferred coverage of the history of the story, the role of Arthurian myth in the popular literature of the writer's region, and a brief mention of the other contents of the manuscript on which the work was found.

If you are a student of English literature, or simply a lover of archaic English texts, the Penguin edition of SIR GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT is a great choice.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Medieval story, October 10, 2000

By A Customer

Brian Stone has done a good job of translating this medieval story and has kept the alliterations (many of which are tongue twisters). Sir Gawain is challenged by a knight all in green who supposedly lives at the Green Chapel. The storyline has some twists to it and proves to be a satire on medieval romances. The Green Knight, the mysterious challenger to Sir Gawain, tries to test Sir Gawain in all possible ways; even throughout Gawain's journey to the Green Chapel. Surprising ending to the unaware reader. The end notes and essays are especially helpful in analyzing the story and understanding all the details of the poet. It's a good read if you're looking for a fun medieval story.