Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Paperback – March 30, 2004

I ordered this text to read in the Middle English of a different region than Chaucer.Accordingly, my primary interest is the language of the original.Merwin's interest is primarily literary. His introduction focuses on the place of this Arthurian tale in the literary tradition.His translation [I had a high school English teacher who insisted on calling "translation between" periods of English "adaptation". I don't agree but, in case anyone else out there shares my teacher's viewpoint, you have been heard and considered], as he states in his introduction, is an adaptation from another translation. His approach to translation is different from mine. He creates a somewhat different work of literature. I figure out the Middle English and then ask how would I express that thought and keep the poet's style in the English of today.For those, like me, who want information about our language in the Middle English period, including its dialectical differences from Chaucer, your best sources are elsewhere.Nevertheless, I appreciated the work for what it is, a literary translation of high readability, preceded by an introduction that sets it in literary context.

I read this tale in high school and was so moved by it that I wanted to name my (future) ranch Gryngolet. Of course, the version we read was shorter and did not include the gore of the king’s three hunts nor the eroticism of the lady’s seduction. As I recall, the translation was a bit clunky.This translation is superb. It flows nicely and has the Aurthurian air about it. It is the perfect piece for a one-sitting read.

This is a brilliant book - and shows that ethical quandries are eternal. Thank you Mr. Merwin.

A traditional romantic love, perfect for those who need some chivalry in their life. Its about a knight who gets challenged and is surprised in more than one way

My fascination with the subject matter was balanced with a dread of entering into a "dry read." This version is anything but. From the helpful intro on, I could not put this book down. As a poetry and theatre fan, I was fascinated with this piece's being recited aloud, by one sole performer, at Medieval banquets, from King Arthur's time on. I was unable to put the book down. The Celtic/Gaelic version on the left page against the modern English version on the right made me realize how close the two languages still are. At places, my instinct brought a sense of dread during most sensuous passages. In others, revelations brought from me an audible gasp! This is one of those pieces one does not want to end. I highly recommend it!

Since I suspect they will have similar audiences, I feel I should state right off the bat that W. S. Merwin's translation of "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" is not quite at the level of Seamus Heaney's "Beowulf". Heaney created an absolute masterpiece; the type of translation that comes along only once every few generations, and which completely redefines the view of the subject matter. The difference between the two translations lies in Heaney's ability to capture the meter and rhyme of "Beowulf" without being slavish to the original structure. Merwin has followed a similar approach in his translation, and while the language is beautiful, I didn't sense the same ancient vibrancy I got from Heaney's work.That said, this book is more than worthy of the five-star rating that I gave it. Merwin's use of language is absolutely superb, and the resulting translation is a remarkable tapestry of images. In particular, he deftly captures the underlying tension and eroticism that forms such a key element of the story. Gawain's struggle to remain true to his code is rendered perfectly, and sets a mood of self-doubt that perfectly offsets his outward frivolity.Since I have already mentioned "Beowulf" I might add for those unfamiliar with "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" that it is much more subtle than the former. While "Beowulf" is undeniably open to interpretation (indeed there is a wealth of fascinating scholarship surrounding it), its basic elements are much more straightforward. At its heart, as Tolkien espoused so brilliantly, "Beowulf" is a story about monsters, and what they mean in our world. On the other hand, "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" is more interested in exploring the ideals of chivalry and courtly love. While there is a fair bit of gore, it strikes me as being more of the hook to keep the reader engaged, rather than the core element of the story. Finally, in it's conclusion, "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" is far more vague than Beowulf.Merwin has produced as a translation of the highest quality. While perhaps less "poetic" than some of its predecessors, it is written in a language that captures the full beauty and vibrancy of this remarkable poem. While a mere 84 pages in length (not including the opposing pages in Old English) this is a tale rich in metaphor that is a delight to read, and that will leave you pondering its meaning.

Merwin's translation retains some of the flavour of the Old English, and the format of the original poem, with rhyming quatrains after each section. Alliteration also abounds, again echoing the original text. Despite more recent attempts, this is still a worthy addition to the Gawain canon.