Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Legends from the Ancient North) Paperback – October 29, 2013

The author of this little masterpiece is unknown. This story - or 'romance' if you like - was found in a little manuscript that was written in c.1380. There are three other stories in that manuscript presumably by the same author.King Arthur, his wife Guinevere, and the Knights of The Round Table are celebrating Christmas and New Year at the famous castle 'Camelot'. One evening a huge knight on horseback bursts into the Hall during dinner, brandishing a large and fearsome battle-axe. Everything about him is green, not only his armor - as one might expect - but also his face, his hair, and even his horse. He has come in peace as he is advertising more than once. In short he says: who is bold enough to step forward and try to chop my head off with this battle-axe? But after one year and a day it will be my turn to deal a blow. Gawain, one of the Knights of The Round Table, steps forward, takes the axe and beheads the Green Knight. As if nothing happened the Green Knight picks up his head, takes it under his arm and the head says: a year and one day from now it will be my turn to give you a blow. You have to promise that you will come looking for me. You can find me at the Green Chapel ( It's almost a joke but who knows? Maybe this is all just a joke ). If you survive my blow I will give you a great reward. The Knight doesn't want to say where the Green Chapel can be found. It's far away from here but you will find people who can show you the way. And remember, you promised. And so the adventure begins for Gawain. He has to go without a companion. He stands on his own for that was a part of the deal.This Fantasy element is the only one in the story. Everything else is realistic. That could be an indication that some scholars are right when they say that the Green Knight is a symbol for the reviving of Nature after the winter. There is a parallel between this symbolism and Gawain who's becoming more mature as the story unfolds. Throughout the story he's tempted in many ways to betray his vow of chastity and loyalty to the Virgin Mary, and near the and of the story he's tempted into cowardice. After all is said and done Gawain has a more realistic view on knighthood. He becomes adult and reaches a new stage in his life just like the revival of Nature by the Green Knight.One of the things I like in this medieval romance are the hunting scenes described very vividly and in great detail. It starts with a description of the animal they want to hunt down: its strong and weak points. During the chase it is as if you can hear the horns blow and the shouts of the hunters, the barking of the hounds and the grunting of the wounded animal and it ends with the cutting of the meat after the bowels are given to the hounds as a reward.Bernard O' Donoghue has done a very fine job in translating this little masterpiece of medieval literature. It's a vivid and a very readable verse translation of this engrossing adventure.

I read this to prepare for seeing the film The Green Knight. It's a strange tale, and this translation is readable and entertaining, with a host of interesting footnotes. The commentary suggests you ignore the ending, which devolves into facile misogyny. I'm intrigued by what an alternate ending could mean. I hear the film explores this notion, and I'm curious what complicated mysteries could unfold.

This translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by Bernard O'Donoghue is part of Penguin's Legends From the Ancient North series. While the poem itself dates from around 1400 and is thus "younger" than the poems and stories which make up the rest of the series, its setting is the same mysterious world of the so-called Dark Ages around the 4th to 7th centuries. Sir Gawain has attracted numerous translators over the years, notably includng J.R.R. Tolkien, but O'Donoghue's version is valuable because its language is, perhaps, more accessible to the non-specialist reader. The similarities to Tolkien will be immediately apparent as a great warrior confronts a monster, amongst other adventures, in poetry which echoes some of the finest verse to be found in The Lord of the Rings.Besides the poem itself this edition contains an extensive Introduction and Notes. I found Sir Gawain to be an enjoyable read, and I can well imagine the excitement and joy with which its first medieval listeners received it.

This book was a requirement for a Medieval Culture class that I spontaneously took as an elective in college. No regrets! The class was wonderful and the book was largely responsible for that! An interesting tale and an easy read! It was one of my few books from college that I didn't sell when the semester was over. I'll be keeping this one to add to my collection! It's also a very reasonable price. Only gave it four stars because it is far from the best thing I've ever read, but definitely a good read and I would recommend it to anyone interested in this time period or interested in theater.

My brother ordered this book for his high school English class and was surprised to see it come so quickly. It was a pleasant surprise that we both loved.

Ordered this book for a friend

It's in great condition. Thanks

Amazing!

I found this audio book absolutely delightful. It is an outstanding, clear, graphic and scholarly translation which is beautifully read and immensely enjoyable. It could not have been better.

A great read and interesting tale although somewhat underwhelming. Still a great read and flies by

The book was written in an informative and interesting manner. The delivery was on time and in a very good condition .

I enjoyed this book very much interesting read

Such a winderful tale. Puts today's writers to shame. This is real writing. The book has a hidden meaning. No! I shall not tell you. Read it and find it.