Have you read...? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Tigerlily Gamgee · 04-25-2002, 07:40 PM

I was wondering if any of you have read (I think it's called) Sir Galahad and the Green Knight? Or the title is something along that realm.
I know that it is another Tolkien book, but I saw it in the history section of Borders. I was wondering if it's good. I know it's not related to Middle Earth, but I am still interested.

Child of the 7th Age · 04-25-2002, 10:32 PM

You may mean Sir Gawaine and the Green Knight? I believe Tolkien did a translation of this with notes. It is a romantic legend that was written about 1370 and is considered to be the best of all the English metrical romances. We don't know who wrote it, but we do know that he was a contemporary of Chaucer. It was written in the West Midland dialect (I believe this is the area where Tolkien actually grew up.) The poem tells how Sir Gawaine faced a series of heroic and chivalric temptations. By the way, this is the same Sir Gawaine who is in the tales of King Arthur. As far as medieval literature goes, it is neat because the poem combines chivalric ideas with some very human and down-to-earth touches. This poem,along with Chaucer's tales, are considered to be the best of medieval storytelling. (Sorry, you got the teacher in me going on this one!) You might enjoy it very much, but don't expect a modern tale. This is the type of work Tolkien actally did as an academic. sharon, the 7th age hobbit

Joy · 04-25-2002, 10:44 PM

I read Sir Gawain in college a few years ago. This is when I fell in love with the "Heroic Epic". I also love "Beowulf." When I read that LotR was written in a similar style, I knew that I had to read it.

piosenniel · 04-26-2002, 09:28 AM

yes, sir gawain and the green knight is a good read. more like the old heroic early english epic stories. it's always enjoyable to read someone who uses english well, and tolkien certainly does that!

burrahobbit · 04-26-2002, 09:47 PM

It was written by the Pearl Poet.

Airetalathwen · 04-26-2002, 10:02 PM

Sweet! Where can I get a copy of this book? Would any decent library have it? Or should I try to order it online?

~Airetalathwen

dragongirlG · 04-26-2002, 10:05 PM

I know Barnes & Noble has it, so you could go to its website (BarnesandNoble.com) and order it there. Or you could borrow Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court and read it from there.

[ April 27, 2002: Message edited by: dragongirlG ]

Tigerlily Gamgee · 04-26-2002, 11:28 PM

Thank you.
I am glad I brought out the teacher in you, Child of the 7th Age, because you gave me an excellent description. I think I shall buy it now. It sounds like something that I will enjoy.
Sorry I didn't get the name correct... I couldn't remember exactly what it was called because I only saw it once on the shelves.

Auriel Haevasawen · 04-27-2002, 08:21 AM

Wow I had no idea it was still in print, thankyou. I too will be off to the bookshops. I loved Beowulf and have Geoffrey of Monmouth's original story of Arthur as well as Morte d'Arthur etc. Different kind of reading to Tolkien but highly recommendable. I did Chaucer back in my A level days and found it tricky to read but funny anyway. The Wife of Bath was my favourite.

Orodhromeus · 04-27-2002, 05:47 PM

I saw the entire text on the internet not that long ago, but I wasn't able to find the site again. I'll keep looknig though. I didn't read it though, with a glimpse I saw it was too old english for me to be easy with.

04-25-2002, 07:40 PM	#1
Tigerlily Gamgee Hostess of Spirits Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Meduseld Posts: 1,056	Have you read...? I was wondering if any of you have read (I think it's called) Sir Galahad and the Green Knight? Or the title is something along that realm. I know that it is another Tolkien book, but I saw it in the history section of Borders. I was wondering if it's good. I know it's not related to Middle Earth, but I am still interested. __________________ ~ ExerciseJunky.com (Hobbits fitness of choice!)~ ~Lady of Rohan: An Eowyn Fansite ~ ~The NEW/OLD Barrow Downs Photo Page~

04-25-2002, 10:32 PM	#2
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,135	You may mean Sir Gawaine and the Green Knight? I believe Tolkien did a translation of this with notes. It is a romantic legend that was written about 1370 and is considered to be the best of all the English metrical romances. We don't know who wrote it, but we do know that he was a contemporary of Chaucer. It was written in the West Midland dialect (I believe this is the area where Tolkien actually grew up.) The poem tells how Sir Gawaine faced a series of heroic and chivalric temptations. By the way, this is the same Sir Gawaine who is in the tales of King Arthur. As far as medieval literature goes, it is neat because the poem combines chivalric ideas with some very human and down-to-earth touches. This poem,along with Chaucer's tales, are considered to be the best of medieval storytelling. (Sorry, you got the teacher in me going on this one!) You might enjoy it very much, but don't expect a modern tale. This is the type of work Tolkien actally did as an academic. sharon, the 7th age hobbit __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.

04-25-2002, 10:44 PM	#3
Joy Spirit of a Warrior Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wandering Posts: 1,020	I read Sir Gawain in college a few years ago. This is when I fell in love with the "Heroic Epic". I also love "Beowulf." When I read that LotR was written in a similar style, I knew that I had to read it. __________________ God bless, Joy KingdomWarrior@hotmail.com http://kingdomWarrior.jlym.com As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

04-26-2002, 09:28 AM	#4
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,816	yes, sir gawain and the green knight is a good read. more like the old heroic early english epic stories. it's always enjoyable to read someone who uses english well, and tolkien certainly does that! __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.

04-26-2002, 09:47 PM	#5
burrahobbit Hidden Spirit Join Date: May 2000 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,436	It was written by the Pearl Poet. __________________ What's a burrahobbit got to do with my pocket, anyways?

04-26-2002, 10:02 PM	#6
Airetalathwen Animated Skeleton Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Greenwood the Great Posts: 28	Sweet! Where can I get a copy of this book? Would any decent library have it? Or should I try to order it online? ~Airetalathwen __________________ I heard an old voice say~ "Don't go far from the land The seasons have their way~ No mortal can understand"

04-26-2002, 10:05 PM	#7
dragongirlG Wight Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Stock, the Shire Posts: 151	I know Barnes & Noble has it, so you could go to its website (BarnesandNoble.com) and order it there. Or you could borrow Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court and read it from there. [ April 27, 2002: Message edited by: dragongirlG ]

04-26-2002, 11:28 PM	#8
Tigerlily Gamgee Hostess of Spirits Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Meduseld Posts: 1,056	Thank you. I am glad I brought out the teacher in you, Child of the 7th Age, because you gave me an excellent description. I think I shall buy it now. It sounds like something that I will enjoy. Sorry I didn't get the name correct... I couldn't remember exactly what it was called because I only saw it once on the shelves. __________________ ~ ExerciseJunky.com (Hobbits fitness of choice!)~ ~Lady of Rohan: An Eowyn Fansite ~ ~The NEW/OLD Barrow Downs Photo Page~

04-27-2002, 08:21 AM	#9
Auriel Haevasawen Wight Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Nowhere of importance Posts: 240	Wow I had no idea it was still in print, thankyou. I too will be off to the bookshops. I loved Beowulf and have Geoffrey of Monmouth's original story of Arthur as well as Morte d'Arthur etc. Different kind of reading to Tolkien but highly recommendable. I did Chaucer back in my A level days and found it tricky to read but funny anyway. The Wife of Bath was my favourite. __________________ Auriel

04-27-2002, 05:47 PM	#10
Orodhromeus Wight Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Greece Posts: 106	I saw the entire text on the internet not that long ago, but I wasn't able to find the site again. I'll keep looknig though. I didn't read it though, with a glimpse I saw it was too old english for me to be easy with.