Oh, I vividly remember this game. My brother was around 12 or 13 years old, and I was only 6 or 7. He proposed that I hit him as hard as I could, and then it would be his turn. It was quite fun at that time.

The way of the Knight seems rather absurd to me. They engage in horseplay with numerous bombastic games of violence, showing off their strength and killing every animal they can just for sport. They also honor each other with long-winded speeches filled with'marvelous words' and 'practiced methods of converse', which become even more tiresome when there is a woman present. Moreover, they spend an inordinate amount of time fussing and primping over their helmets, breastplates, belts, and ermine-fringed capes. Ugh, what chuckleheads!

Anyway, there are some nice similes and turns of phrase in this text, which is better than one might expect from such an old piece. Of course, the Green Knight and his green chapel are quite interesting and fun. However, none of it can compare to The Mabinogion.

2/12/2022 Review:

“And the wars were one thing, but winter was worse: clouds shed their cargo of crystallized rain which froze as it fell to the frost-glazed earth.

With nerves frozen numb he napped in his armour, bivouacked in the blackness amongst bare rocks where melt-water streamed from the snow-capped summits and high overhead hung chandeliers of ice.”

3.75 || The backdrop to this tale is set during the Christmas period, so I suppose this is my first festive read of this year. Armitage has done a really great job weaving the lyricism of his own writing style into the translation of the original iconic story of Sir Gawain. As a Medieval literature fanatic, I think I would/will be just as engaged reading the Middle English original text.

I really enjoyed the exploration of the binaries between religion and carnival, as well as the function of the supernatural and courtly lover within a court setting. It was fascinating to see how these elements interacted and added depth to the story.

I also appreciated how Mary is depicted within this. She acts as a spiritual mother to the male-dominated knighthood. Considering my dissertation is about the agency of motherhood in medieval texts, I definitely got excited when Mary was mentioned and reflected onto certain characters. It was a nice touch that added another layer of meaning to the narrative. Overall, this was a great read that I would highly recommend to anyone interested in medieval literature or a good adventure story.

There's little I can say about this book.

Scholars like Tolkien have already expounded on it far more comprehensively than I ever could.

Suffice it to say that it is one of my all-time favourite books.

Despite having endured for 700 years, it still possesses a psychological depth that remains strikingly relevant.

The folkloric elements within it endow it with a magical and otherworldly atmosphere, yet it is also firmly grounded in the earthly realm.

I love it, love it, love it!

This book has a charm that transcends time and continues to captivate readers with its unique blend of psychological insight, folkloric magic, and earthy realism.

It is a true gem that I will always cherish and return to again and again.

This piece of writing is rather in line with what one would anticipate from a 14th century chivalric text.

It has its share of enjoyable moments, to be sure. The language and the overall tone give a sense of that bygone era.

However, it doesn't quite reach the level of being truly amazing. There are no particularly outstanding or mind-blowing elements that would set it apart from other similar works.

It's a pleasant read that offers a glimpse into the chivalric world of the 14th century, but it lacks that certain je ne sais quoi that would make it a masterpiece.

Nonetheless, for those interested in the literature and culture of that time period, it can still provide some entertainment and a bit of historical insight.

Pues me ha gustado y me ha llamado mogollón la atención cómo está escrita la tensión sexual entre los personajes. Es realmente fascinante cómo se manifiesta y se desarrolla a lo largo de la historia. Aunque me gustó que en la película hablaran de la vergüenza y de la arrogancia, aquí se reduce todo a "un caballero debe resistirse al mal", lo cual está en línea con la ideología de la época. Sin embargo, esto chafa el encuentro final entre el caballero verde y el protagonista.

Un poco random el "No, es que voy a rajarte el cuello porque me has devuelto los besos de mi mujer pero no me has dicho que te ha regalado un cinturón y eso no es muy taki taki rumba por tu parte, así que shame on you". Aunque está en la línea de la redención de los pecados en el catolicismo, donde si te callas mal pero si se lo cuentas al cura pues hala, ya estás perdonado. Pero como que es una historia muy chula para que al final se reduzca a una moraleja tan básica.

BUENO NO SE HASTA QUE PUNTO LA MORALEJA ES UNA TAPADERA, PORQUE ES TODO BASTANTE GAY Y BASTANTE SEXUAL, PERO BUENO

She gave him her 'girdle', did she?

A little something to remember her by, hmmmm?

Personally, I found it rather hard to believe that a hound dog like Gawain would pass up the opportunity.

After all, in those days of chivalry, such a gift from a lady might have been seen as more than just a keepsake.

But as the story unfolds, we see Gawain's inner struggle and his commitment to his code of honor.

He may have been tempted, but he chose to resist, perhaps at the expense of his own desires.

And that's what makes this humorous tale of chivalry and self-imposed cockblockery so enjoyable.

The Green Knight, with his mysterious and otherworldly presence, adds an element of magic and intrigue to the story.

Overall, I have to say that the Green Knight rules!

His challenge to Gawain and the events that follow make for a captivating and entertaining read.

It's a story that shows the power of honor and the lengths that a true knight will go to uphold it.

It's King Arthur, need I say more?

A story about the knights of the round table, this one is specifically about Sir Gawain.

At the very beginning, I simply couldn't help but have vivid visions of the classic British film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

The comical and yet captivating elements of that film seemed to dance in my mind as I delved into this new story.

By the end, it all came back to me. I remembered precisely why, after seeing Camelot as a summer community theater production, I had enjoyed these tales about Arthur and his knights so very much as a tween and teen.

There was something truly enchanting about the world of Camelot, with its noble knights, their quests, and the sense of honor and chivalry that pervaded.

These stories have a timeless quality that continues to draw people in, no matter their age.

Whether it's through film, musicals, or written tales, the legend of King Arthur and his knights will always hold a special place in our hearts.

I remember that day when the green giant came to challenge me to a duel. The reason was that I didn't eat my vegetables. So, I had no choice but to face him. I was really nervous at first, but then I gathered my courage and decided to fight back. With all my strength, I managed to cut off his head. After that, something unexpected happened. I ended up sleeping with his wife. It was a strange and crazy story. I still can't believe it happened. But that's the way it was. Maybe it was fate or just a strange turn of events. Who knows? But one thing is for sure, it's a story that I will never forget.

The season, if not one of "mellow fruitfulness" but rather of frost and fog, brings back to me the childhood memory of going to school in a proper pea souper.

Every familiar landmark was lost, and only the tarmac footpath remained solid beneath my childish feet. Occasionally, a hut would burst out of the milkiness, demonstrating that I was making progress. My little quest, however, did not take a year and a day, as all self-respecting quests must.

Alas, the language is beyond me. I am comfortable with Chaucer (though I suspect that's just the false friends fooling me), and I found Langland, with concentration, manageable. But this dialect of English, roughly contemporary to the other two, is a bit too much. Maybe if I knew some Norse or Danish, or had been born and raised in the country where it was written rather than close to the dark waters of the Thames, I would find it easier. But this edition does have a fine cover illustration that takes you to the heart of the matter.

If you don't know it all, then it is a medieval English poem dealing with a knight of King Arthur's court. He gets into a beheading game with a wandering Green knight. These are not too popular today, a kind of sport in which the participants take turns in chopping off each other's heads. The magical ability to stick your decapitated head back on your shoulders was not considered cheating. And in order to take his turn at being beheaded, Sir Gawain must first find the aforementioned Green knight. So the entire story is about being lost in the fog - a mysterious antagonist cannot be found, playing a game of which you don't know all the rules, mysterious temptations (as illustrated by the front cover). Is the hero going to die? What does it all mean? Lost in the fog, wandering, but you reach the destination all the same.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Simon Armitage translation if the gentle reader is curious enough. bonus fun

Though I have read this little tale twice now, and have been enchanted both times, I fear I have very little to say about it.

The plot combines traditional tropes together in such a remarkable way that the story becomes instantly memorable. It weaves a web of intrigue and excitement that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.

The double action of the knightly pact and a bedroom temptation seems to neatly summarize the twin pillars of chivalric morality—manly combat and womanly tenderness. This contrast adds depth and complexity to the narrative, making it not just a simple adventure story but also a exploration of human nature and values.

Literature professors can argue endlessly about the finer symbolism of the book, delving deep into the hidden meanings and interpretations. Meanwhile, general readers can, with a suitable translation, enjoy an adventure story that takes them on a thrilling journey through a world of knights, castles, and damsels in distress.

Both camps are satisfied, and the book’s place as a classic is thus guaranteed. It has stood the test of time and continues to captivate readers of all ages and backgrounds, a testament to its enduring appeal and literary merit.

In the ten years since I first read Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, it has remained a constant presence in my thoughts. It was my introduction to the Arthurian world, long before I was aware of the vast body of prior writings on Arthurian subjects. Rereading it now, I have a newfound appreciation for aspects that eluded me on my initial reading. I can now situate it within a broader context, understanding its geographical and chronological significance. My overall enjoyment has remained largely unchanged, but I now perceive elements that previously escaped my notice.

The poem is preserved in a single vellum manuscript from the late fourteenth century, written in North Midland Middle English. Unlike the earlier French and German Arthurian epic poems, it is close enough to modern English to attempt a verse translation. Brian Stone's translation in the Penguin Classics version successfully preserves the alliterative character of the original, maintaining a significant amount of its traditional style.
It is a late medieval rendition of the beheading game, which has appeared in Celtic mythology with Cuchulain as the hero and in the thirteenth-century continuations of Perceval. At King Arthur's Camelot during the Christmas celebration, a hulking green knight appears, requesting the boon of a decapitation game that puzzles and mystifies the entire court. He challenges someone to step forward, deliver the strongest blow possible, and then await his return blow in one year.
Gawain eventually accepts the challenge and decapitates the Green Knight. The knight's head rolls away, but his body then walks over, picks it up, and tells Gawain where to find him in one year, at his Green Chapel in a distant land, to receive his redemption. He departs, and Arthur's court resumes their celebration, albeit in a different mood, while Gawain contemplates his new obligation.
We learn that the Knight of the Green Chapel is a supernatural figure, but beyond that, our knowledge is limited. Gawain is given fanfare and the finest armor and weaponry to assist him on his adventure. Here, and only here, we see Gawain bearing the pentangle on his shield and a glorious tapestry of flashy decorations,彰显 the grandeur associated with him in legend. Throughout the poem, Gawain's journey across the lands is described in detail, as is his stay at a castle that many believe to be a version of the Celtic Otherworld, indicated by the need to pass through water to reach it.
The poet glosses over some of Gawain's more daunting tribulations, such as his battles with wolves, dragons, wild men, and ogres, but details his struggles against starvation, the winter cold, and the extreme cliffs, crags, and mountainous landscapes. Before arriving at the castle, his adventure is perilous and could easily have been his end.
It is at the castle that the tone changes. He and his horse, Gringolet, are taken in and given the finest shelter, food, and hospitality. The lord of the castle spares no expense to ensure Gawain's comfort. While the lord is out on his daily hunts, his wife makes advances toward Gawain, similar to the temptation motif seen in previous Arthurian literature. Gawain maintains his peerless character and integrity in his repeated encounters with the lord's wife, which will ultimately prove beneficial to him.
The significance of the castle, the lord, his wife, everything Gawain encounters, and the Green Knight himself, is revealed in the final and most striking part of the adventure. What begins as a tale of symbolism, legend, supernatural deception, and trials ultimately becomes much more. It is a test of character and spirit, an allusion to numerous possible ideas, and a work steeped in the lore and religious significance of obscure things.
Although the middle section may seem to progress slowly at times, and the recurring scenes of the lord's hunt may seem an odd focus, the poem is a magnificent story. It is both visually and mystically powerful, a puzzle that can be appreciated on the surface or explored in greater depth, revealing a wealth of peculiarities. The Green Knight is an entity characterized in such a dynamic and unusual way that I can do no better than to quote the translator's analysis: "On his first appearance he is described successively as a terrifying giant, a handsome and well-built knight, a weirdly green and implicitly supernatural person, as excessively hairy like that common creature of popular mythology, the wild man of the woods, and as a mocking enchanter. And on his last appearance, besides these, he appears as a warm and sympathetic human being, an omniscient confessor who judges with accuracy and compassion, and above all with authority, and finally as a human, subtly diminished by the termination of his supernatural function."
Gawain's character is equally compelling, although here he is a shadow of the Gawain we know from the longer French or German Arthurian traditions. In character, he remains unchanged, a paragon of the most highly valued knightly virtues, an unspoiled, steadfast hero who undertakes and accomplishes whatever is set before him, regardless of the risks. He is virtuous, patient, collected, gifted with moral clarity and a higher purpose, but not immune to the passions and base human instincts. The Knight of the Green Chapel seems to understand Gawain's strengths and weaknesses better than anyone.

One of the finest of the 'classic' Arthurian tales is presented here.

Gawain is depicted in a rather different light compared to many other versions. Usually, he is a bit of a boastful and rather unkind character, especially towards women. However, in this story, he is shown as the perfect example of courtoisie. He is also a bit young and inexperienced, which might explain his different portrayal for those who desire a unified theory of Arthuriana.

Anyway, most of you probably know the story. Arthur is about to hold a New Year's feast and, according to tradition, is waiting for a marvel to occur. Right on cue, the Green Knight rides in on his horse. He is a giant of a man who proceeds to insult the entire court and dares someone to cut off his head, as long as he gets to return the favor. No one makes a move until Gawain steps forward and offers to take on this quest himself. Everyone agrees, and Gawain strikes the green head from the Knight's body. Everyone is quite pleased with the result until the Green Knight gets up, picks up his smiling head, and says, "See you next year, G. Don't forget that it's my turn then." Needless to say, everyone is rather shocked by this.

The year passes, and Gawain doesn't seem to do much until he finally decides it's time to go and find the Green Knight and fulfill his obligation. Hopefully, something will happen along the way to improve his chances. What follows is a journey to the borders of the Otherworld and a detailed guide on how one should act to follow the rules of courtliness. Gawain ends up as the guest of Sir Bertilak, a generous knight who says that the Green Chapel, the destination of Gawain's quest, is nearby and Gawain should stay with them for the holidays. We witness some flirtatious (and mostly chaste) behavior on the part of Bertilak's wife, from which Gawain mostly manages to extricate himself without violating the rules of politeness. We also learn the details of a medieval deer, boar, and fox hunt, with every point accounted for.

In the end, Gawain goes to the chapel and discovers that his former host Bertilak was actually the Green Knight. Gawain submits himself and, after three swings, is left with only a scratch as a reward for his courteous behavior in Bertilak's castle. Despite the apparent success, Gawain views the adventure as a failure since he was not completely unharmed. He wears a girdle given to him by Bertilak's wife as a mark of shame to remind himself of this. Is that too harsh?

The language of the Gawain poet's Middle English is beautiful, and I highly recommend reading it in the original with a good translation handy to catch the nuances of meaning. The poem is filled with an almost dreamlike quality that is made real by all the exquisite details of medieval life that are scattered throughout the text. This is a great book to read at Christmas time.