Book Review: The Tale of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

The Tale of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

by

Unknown

Kindle Edition
Published August 2nd 2008 by LeClue22 [Kindle] (first published 1390)
ASIN: B001DPP49S.



About the poem:

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a late 14th century Middle English alliterative chivalric romance outlining an adventure of Sir Gawain, a knight of King Arthur's Round Table. In this Arthurian tale, Sir Gawain accepts a challenge from a mysterious warrior who is completely green, from his clothes and hair to his beard and skin. The "Green Knight" offers to allow anyone to strike him with his axe if the challenger will take a return blow in a year and a day. Gawain accepts, and beheads him in one blow, only to have the Green Knight stand up, pick up his head, and remind Gawain to meet him at the appointed time. The story of Gawain's struggle to meet the appointment and his adventures along the way demonstrate chivalry and loyalty.
 
My thoughts: 
I love most things written about King Arthur.  I will confess that I've even read T. H. Whites "The Once and Future King" and more novels about King Arthur and his Knights than I can even remember.  My favorite is the Merlin Trilogy by Mary Stewart.  My daughter is currently taking a world literature class and this (lengthy) poem is one of her assigned pieces.  She invited me to read it with her, so naturally I jumped at the invite.  I enjoyed the adventure of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight as Sir Gawain's honor is tested.  I also enjoyed reading the spark notes to see what "those" people thought--who writes that stuff?  My daughter has not yet discussed it with her class but I'm sure we'll have a good discussion about all the symbolism when she does.
 
This was a fun read--I loved the lyrical flow of the old language.