- Jun 2019
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Pallas
Synonym for Pallas Athena, or Athena.
the virgin deity of the ancient Greeks worshiped as the goddess of wisdom, fertility, the useful arts, and prudent warfare
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To wish you backe returne with foule disgrace, Yet wisedome warnes, whilest foot is in the gate, To stay the steppe, ere forced to retrate.
you don't want to return without completing your task, but the wisdom of before going to attack
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At last resoluing forward still to fare, Till that some end they finde or in or out, That path they take, that beaten seemd most bare,
this is them still going through the forest trying to figure it out
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Errours den,
this is the big scary monster
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The sayling Pine, the Cedar proud and tall, The vine-prop Elme, the Poplar neuer dry, The builder Oake, sole king of forrests all, The Aspine good for staues, the Cypresse funerall.
cool way to describe the forest, also important to note that he knew the names of all these different types of trees that we still use today??!
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Behind her farre away a Dwarfe did lag, That lasie seemd in being euer last, Or wearied with bearing of her bag Of needments at his backe. Thus as they past, The day with cloudes was suddeine ouercast, And angry Ioue an hideous storme of raine Did poure into his Lemans lap so fast, That euery wight to shrowd it did constrain, And this faire couple eke to shroud the[m]selues were fain.
the weather here is setting the mood and possibly foreshadowing something bad
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As one that inly mournd: so was she sad, And heauie sat vpon her palfrey slow:
why was she so sad?
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For soueraine hope, which in his helpe he had: Right faithfull true he was in deede and word, But of his cheere did seeme too solemne sad; Yet nothing did he dread, but euer was ydrad.
he had hope and faith, but he was still kind of sad
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But on his brest a bloudie Crosse he bore,
On his armor or outfit there was an actual cross, but he was also called the Redcross Knight
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gaue,
what does this mean??
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So pure and innocent, as that same lambe,
lambs were seen as pure and historically they have been offered as a sacrifice
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mightie
throughout the entire book, there are many instances where there seems to be an extra 'e' at the end of a word where we would not have it today.
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is to fashion a gentleman or noble person in vertuous and gentle discipline.
Spencer straight up tells us that he wrote the book to help us have better virtues, or be better at acting on them
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Allegories
a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.
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KNIGHT OF THE RED CROSSE, OR OF HOLINESSE. LO I the man, w
This book (book one) is supposed to dive deeper and question what is holy, how people approach that, and challenge the was christianity was viewed.
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Chaunticlere
rooster
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mighty king,
GOD
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May He bring us to his bliss! AMEN.
One thing I noticed about this text is that the beginning of the sentence is at the end, and the end of the sentence is at the beginning. It may not be true, but if I thought about the authors writing that way, it helped me understand the writing. I think the author wants me to know the lesson of being true to my word, no matter how weird or bad it is. Even if my head is going to be chopped off, try to keep my word. Maybe the author wanted me to learn the lessons of to try to trek through treachery. To go through a wilderness of love and pain and come out the other side. I don't really have any questions. It was hard to read, but the text made sense overall. My mind wanders into the great world of King Arthur. Where knights are thought as deities. Where you may kiss the wife of a king, even though she is your aunt. Where there is nothing bigger than a twin size bed apparently.
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giant in green
This reminds me of the big guy from FullMetal Alchemist
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At the first call of the quest quaked the wild; deer drove for the dales, darting for dread, hied to the high ground, but swiftly they were stayed by the beaters, with their stout cries. They let the harts with high branched heads have way, the brave bucks also with their broad antlers; for the noble lord had bidden that in close season no man there should meddle with those male deer.
This is interesting how their form of hunt is much different from ours. Theirs is to eat and survive as much of it as a sport. To us, deer hunting is an actual sport. There is deer hunting season in Massachusetts every year. This is where deer hunting is just a pure competitive sport.
link for deer hunting season - http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/huntingandfishing/summary-hunting-season-dates/
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alloy
Alloy - admixture, as of good with evil.
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din
Din - a loud, confused noise; a continued loud or tumultuous sound; noisy clamor.
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does
Female Deers
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Overall this was a great story and seemed like a story to be of a lesson to others that though you may be tempted it is always best to resist that temptation for in the long run it might come to bite you in the butt. I was honestly super surprised that the host was the man in the green. I still don't understand why he went out of his way to challenge someone and have his head cut and then a year later bring them into their palace with their woman and then end up not killing them. I was also very surprised that he did not give into the woman which is probably part of their plan to see if he would fall for it. Over all great but strange story.
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Samson too – Delilah dealt him his doom
It's kind of funny because this is exactly what I was thinking of with all those times that Delilah tried to get to Samson's secret he kept rejecting it and on the the third try he finally told her. Well on the third day is when he messed up as well.
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.
While I admit I was confused by this story many times, I also greatly enjoyed it. The language used in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was also fun. It wasn't too difficult to understand, but it had many new vocabulary words for me. The twist towards the end was completely unexpected, and probably is one of the first story twists recorded. I have also noticed that love seems to be the center point or at least a major sub-point of our readings thus far. I am excited to read more. This was a great, entertaining read.
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forsooth
indeed (often used ironically or to express surprise or indignation).
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Such curses at that sight rained down on his head as if all the clinging cliffs clattered down in a heap.
weighing down and heavy on him
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tryst
a private romantic rendezvous between lovers.
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when he showed the mark, for shame.
It seems that Gawain was always the one to own up to his actions and never hide from the truth or hide it from others which I can respect him for
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duly
in accordance with what is required or appropriate; following proper procedure or arrangement
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The hurt was all whole that he had in his neck, and the bright belt he bore all thereabout, obliquely, as a baldric, bound at his side, tied under his left arm, the lace, with a knot, as token he was tainted with guilt of his fault. And so he comes to the court, all safe and sound.
I don't know why but this entire section to me has a tone of regret
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you, the knight, the noblest child of your age, your high fame and honour told everywhere, why I have sat by yourself here separately twice, yet heard I never that your head held even a word that ever belonged to love, the less nor the more
he is not very affectionate or expressive with his emotions
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if any were so villainous as to deny you.
she is very like-able, it would be ridiculous to not be fond of her
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haughtiness
he appearance or quality of being arrogantly superior and disdainful.
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For your girdle,’ quoth Gawain, ‘God reward you! That I will wear with good will, not for the white gold, nor the stuff, the silk, nor the slender pendants, its worth, nor richness, nor for the fine working; but as a sign of my sin I shall see it often when I ride in renown, remorseful, remembering the fault and the frailty of perverse flesh, how it tends to entice to the tarnish of sin.
It is crazy to me that Gawain wants to constantly be reminded of his sin? doesn't he want to be move forward? or could this be a way of punishing himself?
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beguiled
charm or enchant (someone), sometimes in a deceptive way.
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betide,
happen
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I hold it happily made whole, the harm that I had; You are confessed so clean, cleared of your faults,
It is crazy that he is being forgiven so easily. I don't know why but I thought this was going to result in something violent but it is good to know that the King understands him and is acknowledging that he has come clean
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First I menaced you merrily with a single feint, and rent you with no riving cut, rightly offered for the pledge that we made on the very first night; for you truthfully kept troth and dealt with me true, all the gain you gave me, as good men should.
It seems like Gawain didn't go as hard as he could have with him. It is almost like he spared him, but why?
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crag
a steep or rugged cliff or rock face
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The sharp edge sank in the flesh through the fair fat, so that bright blood over his shoulders shot to the earth. And when the knight saw his blood blotting the snow, he spurted up, feet first, more than a spear-length, seized swiftly his helm and on his head cast it, shrugged with his shoulders his fine shield under, broke out his bright sword, and bravely he spoke – never since he was a babe born of his mother had he ever in this world a heart half so blithe – ‘Back man, with your blade, and brandish no more! I have received a stroke in this place without strife, and if you offer another I’ll readily requite you and yield it you swiftly again – of that be you sure – as foe.
Sir Gawain is truly quite the man. He really is a very strong a courageous fighter and is not at all once to be fearful.
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‘I flinched once, Yet so will I no more;
He is saying that there are pretty much no more for anymore fuck ups
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smite
strike with a firm blow.
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‘Gawain,’ quoth the green man, ‘God may you guard! Indeed you are welcome, knight, to my place, and you have timed your travel as true man should. And you know the covenant pledged between us:
It seems that the Green Knight is very proud of Gawain
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My life though it be lost
He is very courageous
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It is the most cursed church that ever I came to.’
Why is this the most cursed church?
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‘Therefore, good Sir Gawain, let him alone, and go by some other way, for God’s own sake!
So did Gawain spare him? and why does it say for Gods own sake? I am a bit confused
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r he is strong and stern and loves to strike, and more man he is than any upon middle-earth, and his body bigger than the best four that are in Arthur’s house, Hector, or others. He makes it so to chance at the Green Chapel, that none passes by that place so proud in arms that he but does him to death by dint of his hand;
This description makes him seem like a very strong character.
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but to save himself when it behoved him to suffer,
So he truly believed that the girdle would serve as a guard and protect him in a spiritual sense
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upon velvet, with virtuous stones embellished and bound about it, embroidered seams, and fair lined within with fine furs –
Great description and use of imagery. It is also sweet that Gawain still has the girdle. Does this mean that he may also love her?
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clouds cast cold keenly down to the earth, with wind enough from the north, to flail the flesh. The snow sleeted down sharp, and nipped the wild; the whistling wind wailed from the heights and drove each dale full of drifts full great.
The description of this weather could mean something. Perhaps foreshadowing a great challenge coming up
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minstrelsy,
the practice of performing as a minstrel.
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three such kisses
Here we go again with the three kisses. So the number three has to be there to mean something but I just have not figured out what yet
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and then they take Reynard and strip him of his coat.
So they basically took all the fur off the poor fox. What will this fur be used for?
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ravening
(of a ferocious wild animal) extremely hungry and hunting for prey.
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she had kissed three times.
Is there a particle reason that she kissed him three times? does the number three symbolize something? or did she just want to give him a lot of kisses?
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edges embroidered, with finger-stitching;
Here we go again with the embroidery. My point of embroidered things being very high class and lavish keeps getting proven. This is just like the Sir Orfeo story where they had also mentioned about the same thing
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‘Nay, knight of high honours,’ quoth that love-some lady fine, ‘though I shall have naught of yours, yet shall you have of mine.’
She is confessing her love knowing that he doesn't feel the same way but she states this fact herself saying that she knows that he doesn't feel the same way but he is still welcome to have her when he wants
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there he was threatened and called thief often,
Im confused why was he called this and why was he treated like this?
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And fox frisked before them; they found him soon, and when they had him in sight pursued him fast, marking him clearly with wrathful noise; and he twists and turns through many a tangled grove, doubles back and hearkens by hedges full often. At the last by a little ditch he leaps over a thicket,
great description.
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Sir Gawain lies down and sleeps full still and soft all night; the lord who to woodcraft keeps, rises early and bright.
It seems that he is having a peaceful nights rest since he is up and ready to rise early
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And so go lie in your room and take your ease,
This is exactly what happened in part 2 of Sir Gawain
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hearth
the floor of a fireplace.
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The good ladies were summoned
Why were these "good" ladies called and what makes them good? just curious again
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frenzied
wildly excited or uncontrolled.
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I am highly beholden, and evermore will be servant to yourself, so save me God!’
More sections of faith, it seems that Gawain is extremely strong with his connection with God and has strong faith
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The lady bends her adown and sweetly she kisses his face; much speech they there expound of love, its grief and grace.
It seems that they have patched up pretty quick. But why was this paragraph important for the story, it seems quite irrelevant
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‘Sir, if you be Gawain, it’s a wonder methinks, why one so well disposed always to good, knows not how to manage his manners in company, and if any teach you to know them, you cast them from mind.
It seems that she isn't too happy with the way that he has greeted her. Perhaps she was anticipating more of a warmer and loving greeting
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downs the dogs pell-mell; he harries the hounds, and they full piteously yowl and yell.
This sounds very tribe like. It seems that there certain rituals that follow hunting in this era, maybe this could be one of them
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beat at the bushes
Is this the same reference as "beating around the bush"? just curious
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banter
the playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks.
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‘Yes, indeed,’ quoth the other, ‘here spoils are fairest of all I have seen this seven-year in season of winter.’
Wow, this is pretty impressive
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Then they slit the slot, and seized the first stomach, shaved it with sharp knives, and knotted the sheared. Then lopped off the four limbs and rent off the hide, next broke they the belly, the bowels out-taking, deftly, lest they undid and destroyed the knot. They gripped the gullet, and swiftly severed the weasand from the windpipe and whipped out the guts. Then sheared out the shoulders with their sharp knives, hauled them through a little hole, left the sides whole. Then they slit up the breast and broke it in twain.
great imagery and detailed makes it graphic but this also does give a sense of it being gruesome
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quarry
place, typically a large, deep pit, from which stone or other materials are or have been extracted
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She comes nearer at that, and catches him in her arms, leans lovingly down, and the lord kisses.
Yeah this is actually seems inappropriate, or is this actually okay to do this in the times? IDK
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ever the lady let fall that she loved him much;
Is she admitting that she loves him? Is that what's happening here?
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blithe
showing a casual and cheerful indifference considered to be callous or improper.
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She made him thus sweet cheer, who was so fair of face; the knight with speeches clear answered her every case.
She is actually, it seems, trying to entice him. So my assumptions about her earlier were correct. But Gawain it seems is not trying to entertain her
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I shall bind you in your bed, that you may trust.’
Why does she want him to stay in the bed? I dont know if its just me but the conversation is a tad bit innapropriate
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heaves
lift or haul (a heavy thing) with great effort
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chastised
rebuke or reprimand severely.
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crag
a steep or rugged cliff or rock face.
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chine,
a backbone, especially that of an animal as it appears in a cut of meat.
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I am proud of the value you place on me,
I think this makes an important distinction between the lady devaluing herself with her previous words and building a higher value of Sir Gawain. The truth being the latter.
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.
Gawain's character tells us nobody is perfect and it's okay to make mistakes. He doesn't appear to be a flawless hero, but still proves himself to be a chivalrous and virtuous knight, and is the only character in the story that should earn respect. I don't feel strongly about the Green Knight. I think he's not quite morally sound, and the tests he gives to Gawain and the court are kind of pointless. All he wants is to show that the knights of the Round Table have flaws and weaknesses, but who says they're perfect in the first place? Well, but of course I know it's Morgan la Faye plans it all, so I can't blame him. Apart from that, I do like the cinematic, imagery-rich writing style. The details the poet gives to the clothes, gear, animals, killings, weather, etc. are great visuals that will make it easy to put on screen. The tightly organized plot and balanced structure are also something I appreciate.
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evermore
all the time in the future
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baldric
a wide silk sash or leather belt worn over the right shoulder to the left hip for carrying a sword, etc
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Gawain on steed I ween to the King goes fast as he could, and the man in the emerald green whithersoever he would.
Does he think he's like a fool all this time to be tricked and tested?
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She worked all this wonder your wits to ravel, to grieve Guinevere and to bring her to die
Why does she want Guinevere to die?
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the most faultless man that was ever afoot
Gawain did pass all the tests but with a minor flaw.
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scathe
harm
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you have timed your travel as true man should
The Green Knight is happy that Sir Gawain keeps his promise.
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giant in green
There he is!
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tumult
noise
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‘Who stands in this stead, my tryst to uphold? For now is good Gawain grounded right here. If any man wills aught, wind hither fast, either now or never his needs to further.’
You better show up, now or never!
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He saw no such thing either side
It doesn't look like there's a chapel.
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For I will go to the chapel, whatever chance may befall, and talk with that same fellow in whatever way I wish, whether it’s weal or woe, as fate may to me behave.
He really doesn't have to go. =)
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if you will lose your life, I’ll not you delay.
Well, since you insist...
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had been stabled snugly and in secure wise
His horse has been taken care of.
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yet he forgot not the lace, the lady’s gift; that Gawain did not fail of, for his own good.
Why does he think the girdle will bring him luck?
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all was as fresh as at first, and he to give thanks was glad
He's glad that the servants have taken care of his clothes and gear.
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Though he closes his lids, full little he sleeps
Did he have a sleepless night?
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If he did not sleep soundly, I dare say nothing, for he had much on the morrow to mind
Hopefully he can sleep well, despite all the uncertainties for tomorrow.
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needs
need?
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sojourn
a short stay in a place that is not your home
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Yet is the lord on his land, pursuing his sport.
Hunting plays a large part in this story.
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And then he made himself merry among the fair ladies, with comely carols and all manner of joy, more than ever before that day, till the dark night
Seems that the absolution helps a lot.
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three times
third time's a charm
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perchance
perhaps
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shun
refuse; avoid
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displeased
offended
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severs
separates
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The knight said: ‘By Saint John,’ and gentle was his smile ‘In faith I love no one, nor none will love the while.’
He should have said this earlier.
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leman
lover
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be traitor to that lord
considering the lord's been so good to him...
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he saw her so glorious and gaily attired
She's dressed sexily this time?
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slumber
sleep
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‘Ah! Man, how can you sleep? This morning is so clear.’
Maybe he is pretending to sleep.
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But the lady for love could get no sleep, nor could the purpose impair pitched in her heart, but rose up swiftly, and took herself thither
Oh here comes the lady again!
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wily
crafty
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thicket
a dense growth of shrubbery
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morsel
tasty dish
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howsoever
in whatever manner
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brawn
the flesh of a boar
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asunder
into parts
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irksome
tedious
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at the last she did him kiss
I wonder what kind of kiss is that?
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kisses her courteously
A sign of friendliness when greeting another.
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It is a sign Solomon settled on some while back,
This is an interesting topic to me. Why did they bring up Solomon? Solomon was "the biblical king most famous for his wisdom. In 1 Kings he sacrificed to God, and God later appeared to him in a dream asking what Solomon wanted from God. Solomon asked for wisdom." Do the knights look up to Solomon as an example on how to act and be?
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but I am bound to bear it, be gone, and tomorrow, to seek the giant in the green, as God will me guide.’
I related this to a knights code. Specifically to the "The Knight's Code of Chivalry." Specifically the knights of the round table. They swore to have Honour, Honesty, Valour and Loyalty. In the song of Roland, the knights Code of Chivalry has been translated from it. Sir Gawain is following "At all times to speak the truth...To persevere to the end in any enterprise begun...Never to refuse a challenge from an equal." Because of this code, Gawain is bound to his word.
http://www.medieval-life-and-times.info/medieval-knights/code-of-chivalry.htm
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winter walks again
Personification!
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The knight took pathways strange by many a bank un-green; his cheerfulness would change,
Green has been a primary color and main element in this story. It is interesting to see how the fading of this color here changes the mood of the character.
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First a crimson carpet, cast over the floor, and much was the gilded gear that gleamed thereon. The strong man steps there, and handles the steel, dressed in a doublet of silk of Turkestan, and then a well-crafted cape, clasped at the top, that with a white ermine was trimmed within.
This is such an elegant scene to imagine
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dunking dew drops from the leaves, biding a blissful blush of the bright sun.
I love these alliterations. They are so effective not only here, but throughout the entirety of the story in creating imagery for the reader.
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folly you fain, to find it me behoves.
Folly: foolish, Fain: please/pleasure, Behoves: responsibility/duty He would be happy to fulfill the foolish request
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he waxed as wrath as wind
this line is confusing to me. I looked up the definition of each word. Wax: to cover and Wrath: extreme anger. Could this mean he is hiding..? Hiding out of anger??Humiliation?? How does this compare to wind?
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though men be merry in mind when they have strong ale,
I thought this was a quote for the line.
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For the head in his hand he holds up even, towards the dearest on dais addresses the face; and it lifted its eyelids, and looked full wide, and made this much with its mouth, as you may now hear; ‘Look, Gawain, be you geared to go as you promised, and look out loyally till you me, lord, find, as you swore oath in this hall, these knights hearing.
This is interesting to me. People at the time would have saw it is magic or some devilish act. This was not the times of pilgrimage, so witchcraft was not the common topic.
This is also a Framing device.
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For all were fair folk and in their first age
For some reason this line makes me think of reincarnation. The words "all were fair folk" seem to me as if the narrator is saying that these people were successful in their first attempt at life."in their first age" implies that there were no wrongs in their life that they needed to be reincarnated for. They did not need to live another life correcting their mistakes from their past lives. The line that follows mentions how they are "the happiest under heaven" which to me makes sense as a soul that only goes through life once will be the most at ease, the happiest souls.
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he waxed as wrath
Simile!
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Round Table
What is the significance of the Round Table being capitalized as a proper noun?
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Alight swiftly adown and rest, I thee pray, and what thy will is we shall wait after.’
This is the modern version of you welcoming somebody into your house and saying to them to sit down and relax. King Arthur is the leader of Britain, so he accepts the green knight into his household to be polite, and to maybe start out on a good note.
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thereto
Thereto - to that place, thing, etc.
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mail
This being chain-mail not mail of the postage variety
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trifles
a cold dessert of sponge cake and fruit covered with layers of custard, jelly, and cream
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You shall linger in your room and lie there at ease tomorrow till Mass, and then to meat wend when you will, with my wife, that with you shall sit and comfort you with company, till I come to court: time spend,
This is a very nice gesture from the king
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eyen,
archaic plural of eye
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There was established by statute a pact us between both to meet at that mark, if I should live; and of that same New Year but little is wanting, and I would look on that lord, if God would let me, more gladly, by God’s Son, than any goods gain. So, indeed, by your leave, it behoves me to go. Now to work this business I’ve barely three days, and it’s fitter I fall dead than fail of my errand.’
This proves that he is a man of his words and not cowardly. This raises the respect I have for him
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merci,
Why is mercy spelled like this? lol
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Kettledrums and trumpets, much piping there of airs; Each man minded his, and those two minded theirs.
It is good to see that people respected each others privacy
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cuisses
a piece of armor for the thigh.
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ermine
the white fur of the stoat, used for trimming garments, especially the ceremonial robes of judges or peers.
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mirth
amusement, especially as expressed in laughter.
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her buttocks big and broad; Much sweeter a sweet to lick the one at her side for sure.
Okay.. lol this seems to be going off on a very sexual path. So far the past few sentences were all sexualizing the women
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her breast and her bright throat bare displayed shone sweeter than snow that’s shed on the hills;
Some sexualizing going on here in this sentence. I think now I understand why "love-making" was brought up earlier
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for if the one was fresh, the other was withered:
He is pretty much saying that men looked at women, even if they were married, they still checked out other young women because they were more "fresh" in other words very youthful
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sat with sober seeming the service through.
Why did they decide to be sober?
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Zephyrus
Also my dog's name.
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love-making.’
Okay.. This is really random it seems. Why is there just all of sudden something mentioned about sex? or is this even a reference to sex? it seems like it is
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forsooth
indeed (often used ironically or to express surprise or indignation).
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and all the men in that manse made it a joy to appear in his presence promptly that time,
It seems that he is treated very respectfully
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finest ermine on earth
Ermine coats were usually thick and were worn in during the winter months to keep warm, they were also very expensive and they actually are still pricey to this day
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of curtains of clear silk with clean gold hems, and coverlets full curious with comely panels, of bright ermine above embroidered sides,
Once again we see this disruption of cloth being embroidered. I am starting to think that this was very luxuries and lavish back in the day as it is now too.
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Knights and their squires came down then for to bring this bold man blithely to hall, When he lifted his helmet, they hastened forward to heft it from his hand, the guest to serve; his blade and his blazon both they took.
They treated him very kindly with great respect
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cloister
a covered walk in a convent, monastery, college, or cathedral, typically with a wall on one side and a colonnade open to a quadrangle on the other.
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hearkened
Listen
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t till Christmas Eve alone.
This is actually sad
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for war worried him not so much but winter was worse,
This remind of when George Washington took his men on a boat and most of them ended up dying because of the weather rather than the other challenges along the way. Winter can be HARSH!
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very twist of the water where the way passed he found a foe before him, or freakish it were, and so foul and fell he was beholden to fight.
It seems that his journey is quite challenging
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and no one but God to speak with on the way,
He seems to be a very religious and spiritually person. This says a lot about Gawain and who he is and what he believes in.
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Warily
cautiously; carefully
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so strongly the stone-fire sparked out thereafter.
How could this be possible?
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trow,
think or believe
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on the inner half of his shield her image painted, that when he beheld her his boldness never failed.
This is actually very beautiful, but who is this woman? Is this his wife or could it be a daughter?
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devised
plan or invent (a complex procedure, system, or mechanism) by careful thought.
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embroidered and bound with the best gems on broad silken border,
This reminds me of the other story we read on Sir Orfeo where their outfits were also described as being embroidered and bejeweled. It seems that this may have been very elegant back in the day.
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thick-thewed thighs
This is quite impressive, usually not men do not have thick thighs but the fact that he does lets me know that he is muscular all the way around
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All studied that steed
A man's horse is a symbol of his status, so it is quite intriguing to see a horse so rare.
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Ywain and Eric and others full many, Sir Dodinal le Sauvage, the Duke of Clarence, Lancelot and Lionel and Lucan the Good, Sir Bors and Sir Bedivere, big men both, and many other men, with Mador de la Porte.
Is there a reason why all of these names were mentioned? are they really that relevant to this story?
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And thus wears the year into yesterdays many, and winter walks again, as the world’s way is, I gauge, till Michaelmas moon threatens a wintry age.
Im confused. Theres a lot of description of the season so far, I'm wondering if this is a metaphor for something or is there a reason for this heavy in depth description?
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blossoms bloom to blow by hedges rich and rank, while noble notes do flow in woodland free and frank.
The rhyming in this sounds very beautiful and is very beautifully written
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But then the weather of the world with winter it fights, cold shrinks down, clouds are uplifted, shining sheds the rain in showers full warm,
Great description of the seasons changing.
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earlybritishlit.pressbooks.com earlybritishlit.pressbooks.com
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Hardy, big of brawn and big of bone; Which was well proved, for wherever a festive day 550 At wrestling, he always took the prize away. He was stoutly built, broad and heavy;
Tough guy is he? He's this big ol' dude with red hair, warts on his nose, taking out everything in his path. He has big mouth telling jokes and some poetry. Had a white coat with a blue hood while carrying a bagpipe.
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Gap-toothed was she, it is the truth I say
lol is this worthy of noting
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WIFE of BATH,
A charitable woman who is somewhat deaf. Knows her fashion and a wife of five husbands...I wonder if this is connected with her SCARLET red stockings? loves traveling.
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White was his beard as is the white daisy
literary device: simile I notice he uses a lot of similes which I don't mind because it adds to the imagery
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And he could write a contract so explicit Not any man could trace a fault in it;
He was very good at what he does and it shows because he got a pretty penny for it!
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And gladly would he learn and gladly teach
A very humble, intellectual man who prefers to keep to himself
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abstemiously
marked by restraint especially in the eating of food or drinking of alcohol an abstemious drinker also : reflecting such restraint an abstemious diet. I wonder why he was restrained from eating or drinking? Was he poor?
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emaciated
abnormally thin or weak, especially because of illness or a lack of food
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In this he was not like a cloisterer, With threadbare cope like the poor scholar, But he was like a lord or like a pope. Of double cloth was his semi-cope, 265 That rounded like a bell, as if straight from the press.
literary device: juxtaposition
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Equal his gossip and well-spoken speech. He had arranged many a marriage, giving each Of young women, and this at his own cost.
gossiper and a player annnnd confesses to boast about it. wow really. I don't like him already
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Fat was this lord, he stood in goodly case. His bulging eyes he rolled about, and hot They gleamed and red, like fire beneath a pot; His boots were soft; his horse of great estate.
Imagery. I love how the author goes into specific detail about each of these characters. It reminds me of some of the characters from robin hood.
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That she would weep if she but saw a mouse 145 Caught in a trap, whether it were dead or bled. She had some little dogs, that she fed On roasted flesh, or milk and fine white bread. But sorely she wept if one of them were dead,
Animal lover
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And carved before his father at the table.
So far seems like the best fit to follow in his father's footsteps. He's young, handsome, has experience with the cavalry, enjoys singing, writing, and dancing all while learning from the best - his father.
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A KNIGHT t
Here we have the typical knight we hear about who loves chivalry and fights with honor. He fights alone and sometimes way outnumbered but still manages to win every time. His attire the most humble, not the typical knight clothed with the fancy armor and expensive materials.
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To describe to you the state of every one Of each of them, as it appeared to me, 40 And who they were, and what was their degree, And even what clothes they were dressed in;
I think this is a cool way to begin telling his story by introducing each person and telling us a little bit about them. Then we'll be able to see it all come together later on and how each person ties into the story.
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That sleep through all the night with open eye
I wonder what's keeping them up?
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When in April the sweet showers fall That pierce March’s drought to the root and all And bathed every vein in liquor that has power To generate therein and sire the flower; 5 When Zephyr also has with his sweet breath, Filled again, in every holt and heath, The tender shoots and leaves, and the young sun
Like everyone else has noticed, the intro is just amazing. I love the rhyming and the awesome description of spring! Were off to a great start :) For me this is easier to comprehend than Sir Gawain and the Green Knight so I appreciate that this has a side where the story is written in an easier dialect for people to understand.
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