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

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

04-25-2002, 10:32 PM	#2
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	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.