Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

By Open Road Media

The fourteenth-century epic poem telling the story of a brave knight from King Arthur’s Round Table and his deadly wager with a mysterious ghost.

A mysterious green knight riding a green horse storms into Camelot’s Yuletide feast, troubling the members of the Round Table, and challenges one of them to behead him on the condition that he may return the blow one year later. The brave Sir Gawain accepts but he is not counting on the green knight’s ability to cheat death. As Gawain journeys to keep his end of the bargain, his chivalry, loyalty, honor, and survival skills are placed to the test . . .

One of the best known Arthurian stories, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a fourteenth-century Middle English chivalric romance written by an anonymous author. It has been adapted numerous times for books, television, theatre, opera, and film, including the 2021 production, The Green Knight, starring Dev Patel.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Media
• Release date: Nov 29, 2022
• ISBN: 9781504080361

Book preview

Sir Gaiwan and the Green Knight

Anonymous

Preface

The poem of which the following pages offer a prose rendering is contained in a MS., believed to be unique, of the Cottonian Collection, Nero A. X., preserved in the British Museum. The MS. is of the end of the fourteenth century, but it is possible that the composition of the poem is somewhat earlier; the subject matter is certainly of very old date. There has been a considerable divergence of opinion among scholars on the question of authorship, but the view now generally accepted is that it is the work of the same hand as Pearl, another poem of considerable merit contained in the same MS.

Our poem, or, to speak more correctly, metrical romance, contains over 2500 lines, and is composed in staves of varying length, ending in five short rhyming lines, technically known as a bob and a wheel,—the lines forming the body of the stave being not rhyming, but alliterative. The dialect in which it is written has been decided to be West Midland, probably Lancashire, and is by no means easy to understand. Indeed, it is the real difficulty and obscurity of the language, which in spite of careful and scholarly editing will always place the poem in its original form outside the range of any but professed students of mediæval literature, which has encouraged me to make an attempt to render it more accessible to the general public, by giving it a form that shall be easily intelligible, and at the same time preserve as closely as possible the style of the author.

For that style, in spite of a certain roughness, unavoidable at a period in which the language was still in a partially developed and amorphous stage, is really charming. The author has a keen eye for effect; a talent for description, detailed without becoming wearisome; a genuine love of Nature and sympathy with her varying moods; and a real refinement and elevation of feeling which enable him to deal with a risqué situation with an absence of coarseness, not, unfortunately, to be always met with in a mediæval writer. Standards of taste vary with the age, but even judged by that of our own day the author of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight comes not all too badly out of the ordeal!

The story with which the poem deals, too, has claims upon our interest. I have shown elsewhere[a] that the beheading challenge is an incident of very early occurrence in heroic legend, and that the particular form given to it in the English poem is especially interesting, corresponding as it does to the variations of the story as preserved in the oldest known version, that of the old Irish Fled Bricrend.

[a]The Legend of Sir Gawain, Grimm Library, Vol. VII. (Chapter IX. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight).

But in no other version is the incident coupled with that of a temptation and testing of the hero’s honour and chastity, such as meets us here. At first sight one is inclined to assign the episode of the lady of the castle to the class of stories of which the oldest version is preserved in Biblical record—the story of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife; a motif not unseldom employed by mediæval writers, and which notably occurs in what we may call the Launfal group of stories. But there are certain points which may make us hesitate as to whether in its first conception the tale was really one of this class.

It must be noted that here the lady is acting throughout with the knowledge and consent of the husband, an important point of difference. In the second place, it is very doubtful whether her entire attitude was not a ruse. From the Green Knight’s words to Gawain when he finally reveals himself, I wot we shall soon make peace with my wife, who was thy bitter enemy, her conduct hardly seems to have been prompted by real passion.

In my Studies on the Legend of Sir Gawain, already referred to, I have suggested that the character of the lady here is, perhaps, a reminiscence of that of the Queen of the Magic Castle or Isle, daughter or niece of an enchanter, who at an early stage of Gawain’s story was undoubtedly his love. I think it not impossible that she was an integral part of the tale as first told, and her rôle here was determined by that which she originally played. In most versions of the story she has dropped out altogether. It is, of course, possible that, there being but a confused reminiscence of the original tale, her share may have been modified by the influence of the Launfal group; but I should prefer to explain the episode on the whole as a somewhat distorted survival of an original feature.

But in any case we may be thankful for this, that the author of the most important English metrical romance dealing with Arthurian legend faithfully adheres to the original conception of Gawain’s character, as drawn before the monkish lovers of edification laid their ruthless hands on his legend, and turned the model of knightly virtues and courtesy into a mere vulgar libertine.

Brave, chivalrous, loyally faithful to his plighted word, scrupulously heedful of his own and others’ honour, Gawain stands before us in this poem. We take up Malory or Tennyson, and in spite of their charm of style, in spite of the halo of religious mysticism in which they have striven to enwrap their characters, we lay them down with a feeling of dissatisfaction. How did the Gawain of their imagination, this empty-headed, empty-hearted worldling, cruel murderer, and treacherous friend, ever come to be the typical English hero? For such Gawain certainly was, even more than Arthur himself. Then we turn back to these faded pages, and read the quaintly earnest words in which the old writer reveals the hidden meaning of that mystic symbol, the pentangle, and vindicates Gawain’s title to claim it as his badge—and we smile, perhaps; but we cease to wonder at the widespread popularity of King Arthur’s famous nephew, or at the immense body of romance that claims him as its hero.

Scholars know

Reviews for Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

[mykl8s · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is clear proof for me that a story does not need to be written recently or in a contemporary style in order to be a really good read.

[david_fosco · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A little difficult to understand at times; however, this tale shows the importance of honor.

[kristelh_15 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Middle English, King Arthur tale. Sir Gawain meets up and cuts off the head of Green Knight and is challenged to meet up again. In the meantime, Sir Gawain travels and meets up with a lady who tries to seduce him, giving him a green girdle. The themes in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight include the relationship between chivalry, courtesy, and Christianity, sinful nature, and the importance of truth. Sir Gawain did well but he was not perfect as is the case for all of us.

[ghost_boy-691444 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Are you looking for a quick, but violent, Christmas/New Year's poem? How about a poem set during Camelot with witches and heroic fantasy? Maybe something along the lines of Christian Romance? Or simply a good timeless poem?

After a quick reread I still love this poem. This isn't the original translation or edition I read, but it felt the same...maybe a little more modern with the language. I'd forgotten how detailed this was and how violent. I remembered some of the plot, but forgot about all head-chopping and the sexy women. I remember my teacher in college wondered if this was possibly written by a woman because of the description of the clothing, I still wonder that myself, but the parts with the violence I'm not so sure about.

This is a Christmas/New Year's read though. It might be a little underrated as something you would read during the season, but it is all about Christianity during the time it was written. It might be propaganda at times, but I liked the allegories and the Christian imagery. I liked the disruptions of the green chapels.

If you want to read this poem, I recommended this version or one that you can easily read. The original and non-translated version is in Middle English, which isn't easy. Reading Middle English after college is work rather than reading something for fun or to refresh your memory. Can't say this about other versions, but Bernard O'Donoghue makes Sir Gawain and the Green Knight accessible for people who want to read this with ease.

[pgchuis · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I hadn't even heard of this before, although I gather there is a recent film of it. It was fun, although the descriptions of hunting and the subsequent butchering of the carcasses was a low point for me.

[caseybp · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great to have the translation and the original. Loved the story. The writing had a pace that made it feel like it was happening now.

[willszal-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Many of you have likely seen the new David Lowery film, "The Green Knight." I've watched it twice, and find it to be a particularly mythic film.Of course, it got me down the rabbit hole of the original myth.In many ways, the original is far simpler than the film. There is no Saint Winifred. There aren't multiple lives. And there are some spoilers that are different than in the film.

[wyclif-371215 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I think this is at least my third reading. It's the same classic edition I read as an undergrad. I'm glad this is one of the books that survived those times and remains in my library.

[darthdeverell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Bernard O’Donoghue’s translation of The Green Knight adapts the fourteenth century chivalric poem from the unknown Middle English Gawain poet in a contemporary verse. The story focuses on Sir Gawain, a member of King Arthur’s court, who enters into a beheading game on New Year’s Day with a mysterious knight. After besting the Green Knight, Sir Gawain must travel to the Green Chapel to fulfill his end of the bargain, encountering many strange adventures along the way that test his knightly status. Finally, he reaches the Green Chapel and discovers that the events were orchestrated by Morgan le Fay. This edition features a foreword from David Lowery, who directed the 2021 film adaptation starring Dev Patel as Sir Gawain and Ralph Ineson as the Green Knight. Lowery discusses how the poem seized him as a young student and his later efforts to adapt the themes he encountered in reading it. A great alternative edition for those mostly familiar with J.R.R. Tolkien’s translation.

[pomo58 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I admit to not being sure how to review this work. It is a classic and while it is a joy to read simply as a story it really is better understood as a part of Arthurian lore and medieval literature. What I did do was to look at both this translation, from 1909 by Jessie L Weston, and the version I am most familiar with, Tolkien's modern English translation. Aside from the usual differences between reading something in prose versus verse, I was surprised at how well Weston's translation has held up. It reads very well without, as far as I can tell, losing much in the way of nuance. I approached this from the same general position I approached deciding, many years ago, between using the Sayers or the Ciardi translations of the Divine Comedy in a course, and I think I came away with a similar opinion. I prefer the verse translations for study though I would recommend the prose translations for casual reading or for simply refamiliarizing yourself with the story. In other words, if you missed this classic back in school and want to read it now, I would recommend this edition quite readily.Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.

[charlie68_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A do in one day read. Also a slightly odd tale, who knows what they thought in those days. Probably r rated if made into a movie. Also an accurate portrayal of life in Olde England.

[sweetkokoro-61371 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Not going to lie my rating is probably very biased as Sir Gawain and the Green Knight has always been my favorite of the Arthurian Tales, but I really did like this particular translation.I feel this translation really sticks to the idea that Sir Gawain is an honest knight. I also wasn’t as annoyed by the Lady of the court who “pursued” Gawain, some variations really lay that on heavy and this version didn’t do that.Even up to the end Gawain is not happy with his actions and I have always admired that about him, and I think that’s why I love his tale so much.I will say with this particular version, I love that the original Middle English was included side by side to the modern translated version of English today. It makes more of an eye opening experience into how each line was written. Some lines are easy to read and one who isn’t trained in Middle English could for the most part understand it, while other lines look so unreal and some training is clearly needed, haha. I truly enjoyed that little bit.

[bookishtexpat · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I would never have picked this up if it were not for a project, but I am glad I did. This medieval poem epic is truly that - epic. I was engaged in the story and there was even a twist that had be gasp audibly. This is the only translation I've read, but I really loved how Simon Armitage infused a little bit of modernity into the work. All in all, a fun read!

[bobbybslax · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

While uninteresting for long portions, the writing is vivid.

[dominiquemarie-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Back to the Classics Reading Challenge 2017
Category: Published Before 1800

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a medieval alliterative romance poem that is surprisingly deep for it's time. I really enjoyed it. The most striking thing about it to me was Gawain's character. He is a dynamic character which is not typical during that era of Literature. The imagery is fantastic. I chose the translation by Simon Armitage in audio book format. I really wanted to hear the poem spoken aloud, so this version was a great choice for me, and the introduction was very helpful.

[thorold_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The poemThe only known manuscript of the poem known as Sir Gawain and the Green Knight comes, oddly enough, from Sir Robert Cotton's collection, the same source as the Beowulf MS. But the Gawain MS was filed there under the bust of the emperor Nero, rather than Vitellius...We know next to nothing about the poet - there are three other poems in the same MS that look to be stylistically linked and are assumed to be by the same poet ("The Pearl", "Purity", and "Patience"), and a separate poem, "St Erkenwald", that has also been suggested to be by the Gawain poet, although Davis doesn't find the evidence for this convincing. In form, it's a classic Arthurian romance, taking up two themes that appear in several other texts of the period - the beheading contest, and the (attempted) seduction of the knight by his host's wife. What's unusual about it, though, is that the two themes are rather tightly linked, and that the story sticks closely to what all this is doing to Gawain's state of mind, and doesn't ramble off into other embedded narratives as medieval texts tend to do. Very little happens in the poem that isn't obviously relevant to the main storyline in some way (apart from a few little things that look relevant, but the poet appears to have forgotten to come back to). So it feels like a very modern story, in many ways. Gawain is a man who has an appointment with almost certain death coming up in a few days (as a result of a foolish bet that he can't honourably back out of), and he finds himself the guest of a generous and affable stranger who breezily goes off hunting saying "look after my wife whilst I'm out". Gawain is perhaps a little more surprised than we are when the wife turns up in the guest-room in her nightie as soon as the coast is clear, and the handsome young knight has a hard time defending his virtue... The language of the poem - as well as the places referred to in it - places it in the north-west of England, probably somewhere around Cheshire or North Staffordshire. The poet obviously knows his French romances, but the language feels solid and earthy, even when you compare it to Chaucer. There were a surprising number of words that I recognised as (cousins to-) dialect words still in use in the north-west when I was growing up - bonke (bank) for a hill, for example. And it was a surprise to discover that "bird", the coarse word for a girl we were brought up not to use, has its entirely respectable roots in Middle English burde, which originally meant "someone who does embroidery", i.e. a young lady. And much else of the same kind.Because the language is quite close to Old English and doesn't have much French or Latin in it to guide us, there are a few places where it's hard to make sense of it on a first read-through, but there are plenty of other parts where you get a good idea of what's going on even if you don't recognise absolutely all the words. And the Davis edition comes with a comprehensive word-list and good, clear notes, so it didn't take me long to get to grips with even the most obscure parts. Simon Armitage's translationFor those who are primarily interested in the story, and want something that reads naturally, the Armitage translation is a good bet. It's written with a clear sense of the "northernness" of the poem (even though he's from the "wrong" side of the Pennines...), and Armitage is even happier to include modern dialect expressions than Heaney was in his Beowulf, even when it means leaving the literal sense of the original behind (e.g. in l.2002, where he is so gleeful about rediscovering "nithering" that he drops the slightly puzzling but memorable image "to harass the naked" in the original. But his is a great line, and definitely in the spirit of the original (I'm not going to quibble about nithering being a Yorkshire word, so technically out of place here...). But occasionally he seems to get the tone slightly wrong, making it just a bit too modern-informal, e.g. "He leaps from where he lies at a heck of a lick" (l.1309) which was "..he ryches hym to rise and rapes hym sone" (he decides to get up and hastens himself at once). Sometimes the drive to alliterate seems to be a bit too much.But on the whole it's a very lively, consistent translation, giving the progress of the story priority over the shape of the words and drawing the reader on with the energy that a text like this needs. Now I've read the original I wonder whether this is a text that really needs translating, but if you want a translation to read in isolation, this is the one to go for. It's not much use as a literal crib for the Middle English, though.

[laytonwoman3rd · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I've always liked the story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, but I never enjoyed reading it before. I first encountered this tale in a survey course of British Literature early in my college career (first semester--Beowulf to Sheridan; second semester--Blake to the Present Day...I still have the texts), in which we were exhorted to remember that the knight's name was pronounced GOWan. With apologies to the late Mr. Graham (who I believe preferred the 18th century to the 14th), I'm all in favor of Armitage's approach---let the rhythm and the alliterative requirements of the text dictate which consonant or syllable gets the stress. This version is so read-out-loudable that I feel it banishes any objection that might be raised to liberties Armitage took with literalness. (I'm not much of a purist that way when it comes to translating poetry anyway. I mean...it needs to remain poetic, above all.) I later had some exposure to the medieval language of the poem in a more advanced course; I may even have been expected to claw some of it into modern English myself, an effort best lost to time. This edition places the ancient version side-by-side with the new translation. It's interesting to compare, and to try to remember the sounds of the good old Anglo-Saxon, a clankier language by far. I counted four different spellings of our valiant knight's name in that text--Gawan, Gawayne, Gawen and Gauan. Surely that isn't just sloppiness or inconsistency, but suggestive of varying pronunciation in the original? In any case, if you're inclined to visit this classic tale, I commend you to Armitage's translation. It's just plain fun.

[richardderus · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the book to get your poetry-resistant friend this #Booksgiving 2017. I read it on a dare. I don't like poetry very much, it's so snooty and at the same time so pit-sniffingly self-absorbed that I'd far rather stab my hands with a fork repeatedly than be condescended to in rhyming couplets.This tale is fabulous in every sense of the word, which is no surprise since it's survived for so many centuries. But poet and translator Simon Armitage has made the old world new again. He sucked me right in and never let me come up for air with his gorgeous words and his carefully chosen words and his alliterative rhythmical phrases.If the idea of a Norton Critical Edition is keeping you far away from this delightful read, rest assured it's not stodgy or dry or just plain boring. It's vibrant, alive, shimmering with an inner power, waiting for you to open its covers and fall utterly under its spell. Become happily ensorcelled, gentle reader, relax into the sure and strong embrace of a centuries-old knight and his spectacular tale.

[dreesie-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The poet of this poem (and a few others) is unknown, and scholars have been guessing and debating for decades. In any case, this poet was a contemporary of Chaucer, but his poems are much more accessible. I can only imagine how difficult the translating is, as this poem is alliterative, with clear cadences throughout. I actually read about half of it out loud, simply because it sounds good.Gawain is a well-known character in Arthurian circles, though I am unfamiliar with him. In this poem he takes on a challenge given by the Green Knight--and fulfills it. No spoilers, but a quest of sorts is involved, as well as honesty. There are also some short essays on the manuscript, the poet, the pentangle, Arthurian themes, and there are a few pages of original text (which is almost readable but not quite).Very much worth reading!

[amishtechie-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love this Edition of the book. Some say the Simon Armitage translation has too many modern inclusions, however that is what makes it approachable to the modern reader. The flow of the metre and the language is so rich you can just feel the heavy air in the ancient halls or the spring-fresh breezes and tang of new growth. All is enhanced by this Folio Society edition which Diana Sudyka presents us a mixture of a modern minimalist style (bold outline-stroke outlines) enriched with the classic medieval styling of vibrant color accents.A Beautiful and certainly collectable classic.

[medievalgirl-1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Interesting story, well executed compellingly told, excellent and sometimes beautiful use of language and good moral messages. Would give a higher rating but for the ending.

When everything is done, and Gawain completes his quest, and the moral aspects of the story are dealt with (truth, honour, keeping word, resisting temptation etc), the Green Knight reveals the identity of the Old Woman in his castle as none other than Morgana le Fey, Arthur's mortal enemy and practitioner of Black Magic- who put him up to challenging Arthur's knights.

Said Green Knight seems to have no problem Morgana living in his manor, and doing what she says, and asks dear Gawain to come in and say hello to her because she is his Aunt-- so apparently he has no problem with her association with 'the black arts' and thinks it is perfectly acceptable for a 'good Christian' to be involved with such.

The other issue was with the translation whilst generally good, the use of some overtly modern terms and phrases could be questionable.

[bookslesstravelled · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A great, and intriguing Arthurian classic

[mbmackay · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Arthurian legendary fight with supernatural Knight.Read Samoa Nov 2003

[philsyphe · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I read this in 2011 for one of my university modules.I found it interesting to read something as old as this but didn't find it especially entertaining. I only read this because I had to!

[trilliams · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I wouldn't trust anyone wearing all green in the first place.

[meandmybooks-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I would have loved this if for no other reason than that Armitage, in the Introduction, offers support for pronouncing Gawain's name with the stress on the second syllable (pg 15), which is the pronunciation I grew up with but which seems uncommon. If there is scholarly difference of opinion, then I'm not wrong when I slip up and call him Gawain. Anyway, Armitage's translation has much more going for it than an introduction which favors my pronunciation! It zips along, with modern diction and a translation which is more poetic than literal. A few times I felt like his word choices were a bit too silly but, looking at the original text on the facing page, it always appeared (to my very inexpert eye) that his choices were well supported (the Gawain poet was not above silliness!). It's been a long time since I last read Sir Gawain, and I'd forgotten what a great poem it is – beautiful, funny, and moving. I plan to read Marie Borroff's translation next to compare, but Armitage's looser translation is really marvelous!

[heidip_38 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Isn't this just the creepiest cover? Anyway, I've read this for the thriller category for the Back to the Classics Challenge. King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table enjoy a Christmas celebration. But, along comes a huge green knight who goads them into accepting a challenge. In order to protect King Arthur, Sir Gawain agrees to the challenge. He must make one blow with his sword against the Green Knight today, then in one year Sir Gawain must come and find the Green Knight and receive one blow from him. Well, Sir Gawain chops his head off in one blow, but the Green Knight picks up his head and laughingly gallops off. You'll have to read it to see what happens.

[dylkit · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A very readable version of the poem. Armitage retains the verve of the original story as well as the beat,alliteration and bob-and wheel sections (two syllable lines followed by a quatrain) of the original poetry.

'And they danced and they sang til the sun went down
that day
But mind your mood, Gawain,
keep blacker thoughts at bay,
or lose this lethal game
you've promised you will play.'

The poem was fastened to the page in the late 14thc, in the "alliteration revival" style : it was a style of verse that keeps to an Anglo-Saxon literary style and was almost certainly orally transmitted before. The use of repetition and alliteration are characteristic of the oral tradition: think about how fabulous the rhythm of lines like these sound spoken aloud

'Then they riled the creature with their rowdy ruckus
and suddenly he breaks the barrier of beaters -
the biggest of wild boars has bolted from his cover'

I love that Simon Armitage has let the poem breathe and remain a living thing rather than a dry academic exercise. The loss of a star is due to the fact that occasionally there is a choice of a word that jars, that sounds a bit too modern, chosen for the sake of the alliteration but can feel a bit shoe- horned in. I also prefer a side by side translation, but that is being a bit nit picky as the original is readily available .

[andreablythe · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

During holiday festivities in King Arthur's court, a mysterious green knight appears with a challenge: any knight of Arthur's court may strike the green knight a blow, and the green knight will return the strike in a year's time. The only knight brave enough to face the challenge is young Gawain, who indeed strikes the green knight, chopping off his head. Unperturbed, the green knight picks up his head and tells Gawain to find him in a year's time in order to receive the return blow. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, written by an unknown fourteenth-century poet, is my favorite of the classic Arthurian tales (so far). The story is vivid and full of gorgeous contrasts, love and death and trust and renewal. The story unfolds with good pacing and entertaining adventures with true courtly manners, all without being redundant or dull (as some unnamed fourteenth-century Arthurian romances can be).Armitage's translation from the Middle English focuses on the alliterative and poetic structure of the original, rather than being a literal translation. The Middle English version appears on the left hand page with the Modern version on the right, so the reader can compare and see the differences. For the most part his version is surprisingly readable with beautiful phrases and imagery, though in some cases it strays into being a bit too modern (at one point Arthur is described as "keeping his cool"), which can be jarring. My second reading was just as enjoyable as the first, and I would love to add it to my library.However, since Arimitage's is only the only translation I've read, I'm very curious about trying a more literal translation. Apparently, even J.R.R. Tolkien did a translation, and I'd love to read that. For audio book lovers, I highly recommend the audio version of Armitage's translation, which is read by Bill Wallis. He does an amazing job highlighting the alliterative aspects of the text, while making it easy to follow. Once the Modern English translation is finished, Wallis then does an amazing reading of the original Middle English version of the book. It's amazing to hear and I found myself understanding more than I thought I would. Fantastic.

[gbsallery · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Something of a slog. Whilst the archaic English form is in many ways delightful, it contains at least two letters which just don't come up in modern usage, which is at the very least a challenge. However, persistence is rewarded, as the story of the Green Knight is pleasantly odd and offers a real window into the early medieval mind-set. The descriptions of hunting are particularly vividly brought to life, which makes a sharp contrast to the motivations and drives of Sir Gawain - who remains utterly an enigma (if incorruptible).