117 used & new from £0.01
See All Buying Options
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
 
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Classics)
 
 
Share your own customer images
Search inside this book

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

by Betty Radice (Editor), Brian Stone (Introduction), B. Stone (Translator) "THE siege and the assault being ceased at Troy, ..." (more)
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)

Available from these sellers.


114 used from £0.01 3 collectible from £0.50
Other Editions: RRP: Our Price: Other Offers:
Hardcover 3 used & new from £98.95
Paperback £8.99 £5.34 37 used & new from £3.01
School & Library Binding Order it used
Turtleback Order it used

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Utopia (Norton Critical Editions)

Utopia (Norton Critical Editions)

by T. More
5.0 out of 5 stars (1)  £6.95
The Oxford Shakespeare: The Tragedy of King Richard III (Oxford World's Classics)

The Oxford Shakespeare: The Tragedy of King Richard III (Oxford World's Classics)

by William Shakespeare
£4.77
The Canterbury Tales: Fifteen Tales and the General Prologue (Norton Critical Editions)

The Canterbury Tales: Fifteen Tales and the General Prologue (Norton Critical Editions)

by Geoffrey Chaucer
£9.99
Studying English Literature: A Practical Guide

Studying English Literature: A Practical Guide

by Tory Young
5.0 out of 5 stars (1)  £10.04
Arthurian Romances (Penguin Classics)

Arthurian Romances (Penguin Classics)

by Chretien Troyes
4.7 out of 5 stars (3)  £7.76
› Explore similar items

Product details

  • Paperback: 192 pages
  • Publisher: Penguin Classics; 1st New impression edition (27 Jun 1974)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0140440925
  • ISBN-13: 978-0140440928
  • Product Dimensions: 19.2 x 12.8 x 1.4 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 384,092 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

  • See Complete Table of Contents

Product Description

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.
Inside This Book (Learn More)
First Sentence
THE siege and the assault being ceased at Troy, Read the first page
Explore More
Concordance
Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
Search inside this book:

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 
(1)
(1)
(1)
See all 5 tags...

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Classics)
76% buy the item featured on this page:
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Classics) 4.8 out of 5 stars (6)
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
9% buy
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight 5.0 out of 5 stars (9)
£5.99
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: WITH Pearl and Sir Orfeo
5% buy
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: WITH Pearl and Sir Orfeo 4.0 out of 5 stars (4)
£4.98
Sir Gawain and The Green Knight (Oxford World's Classics)
5% buy
Sir Gawain and The Green Knight (Oxford World's Classics) 5.0 out of 5 stars (1)
£4.19
Explore similar items
 

Customer Reviews

6 Reviews
5 star:
 (5)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Magical and human, 4 Jan 2006
By Kurt Messick "FrKurt Messick" (London, SW1) - See all my reviews
(TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   
Middle English is a diverse collection of different dialects and styles, when it comes to literature. At the same time that Chaucer was writing in the southeast of England, with good command of French and Italian poetic sensibilities, there was a strong tradition in the north and west country of alliterative poetry, the kind that owed as much to the Old English forms of verse and use of language as to the new influences post-Norman Conquest-wise. Among the products of this time and place, the anonymously composed 'Sir Gawain and Green Knight' is one of the most outstanding.

This poem has all the hallmarks of being a work of many influences - it has the heroic aspects that one might expect from Old English epics such as Beowulf; it has a decided romantic streak reminiscent of French and Norman influences; it has virtue and church/Christian overlaying influences that come from Latin and ecclesial sources; it has magical and mystical ideas that are most likely Celtic in origin. Perhaps more like a tapestry, the various strands of influence are woven together into a glorious pattern that stands as a towerig achievement of the synthesis of language that Middle English achieved between its Germanic and Latinate streams.

Gawain's story is a very popular one. The most virtuous of the Round Table knights, his bravery and his resourcefulness at seeking the Green Knight, the annual challenger at the court of Arthur, is legendary. Gawain's small fault (and indeed, Gawain was portrayed as a virtuous human, but human nonetheless) warrants a very small penalty, but he is deemed upon reporting back to Camelot that he has brought honour upon the whole fellowship of knights. There is something magical about the Green Knight, however, and this can be seen as metaphor for the way in which temptation seems to have a magical power over humanity.

Do note: This is a review of the Penguin Classics 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight' as edited and translated by Brian Stone, who also produced the Penguin Classics 'Medieval English Verse'. It has a wonderful introduction, as well as a series of essays following the translation of the poem. These essays include topics such as the significance of the Green Knight, the moral nature of Gawain, the way in which the poem can be and has been used as a play, Arthurian images, and speculation about the poet himself. There are also extracts from the original alliterative verses with the middle gaps.

There are also two bibliographies, one of texts mentioned in this book, and another for suggested readings for students. These are a bit dated now, as the latest impression of the book comes from the early 1980s, and none of the items on the list dates past the mid-1960s. There is also an extensive section of translation notes.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant translation, full of life, 3 April 2006
Anyone who thinks reading medieval texts (in translation) is daunting, should dip into this book.
Brian Stone has translated 'Sir Gawain' brilliantly, keeping the alliteration of the original, but also keeping (or making?) the text accessible. The result is a poem that is vibrant and enthralling - the descriptions fascinating and detailed (for example the description of the lady on the third day or of the hunters taking apart the deer).
The story is set in King Arthur's time. One Christmas a green knight challenges the knights of the round table to a beheading game. Sir Gawain takes up the challenge and lops the green knight's head off. Nonplussed the knight rides away and Gawain must come to him in a year's time to bear the green knight's blow. Certain death, surely.
On his travels to find the green knight, Sir Gawain finds a castle where he is welcome by the castellan and invited to play a game. Both men will exchange their findings of the day. The lord goes out hunting, while back home his wife tries to seduce Sir Gawain. Of course, there is more to this game of hunting and seduction than meets the eye.
Can Gawain remain triumphant?
The book is complemented by a few essays on the topic of the book, which are mildly helpful and also contains a few excerpts from the original Old English, which I found very interesting, if only for the flavour.
This is a book I cherish and return to time and again (It's not long either).
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Definitely worth a read, 23 Oct 2003
By A Customer
Having had an english teacher obsessed with medieval literature we all thought we would be forced to plough through Chaucer in old english. We were pleasantly surprised when we were handed a copy of this book. Four years later its still a staple of my holiday reading and has a permanent place on my bookshelf.
The language is beautiful, I enjoy reading passages out loud and the story is a rival to the other Arthurian romances, with a decidedly more sexy damsel and a very very bizarre husband!. I would throroughly recommend it to anyone who enjoys interesting tales and beautiful resonant language
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars The dark Middle Ages and all that.

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. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Jan Dierckx

5.0 out of 5 stars A good edition
This edition is probably the most useful one I've come across for study. The actual Middle English text is left pretty much untouched, but the facing (prose) translation makes it... Read more
Published on 9 Sep 2007 by an confused future undergraduate

5.0 out of 5 stars Magical and human
Middle English is a diverse collection of different dialects and styles, when it comes to literature. Read more
Published on 4 Jan 2006 by Kurt Messick

Only search this product's reviews


Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
   
Related forums

Listmania!

Create a Listmania! list

Look for similar items by category

Look for similar items by subject


















i.e., each product must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ...

Feedback

Ad

Your Recent History

 (What's this?)

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.