- Feb 2019
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the knight craved leave to go forth on the morn
He's getting impatient; he's got a date with destiny, after all.
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first he hews off his head and sets it on high, then rends him roughly along the ridge of his back,
Again, as with the previous prey, we have a detailed description of the processing of the meat.
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the dogs to death, in fight.
The dogs finished off the mighty boar.
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The swine straight away set on the man
The swine attacks the lord.
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hunts the ill-fated swine
Note that the number 3 is becoming increasingly important - deer, boar and swine (now).
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at the last she did him kiss,
"at the last" here implies that it was a lengthy kiss.
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but he defended himself so fairly no fault it seemed, no evil on either hand, nor did they know aught but bliss.
No one did anything - "no sin transpiring" as one translation puts it.
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do teach me of your wit, while my lord is away.’
Better translation: Perform for me before / my husband heads for home.
Can't be any more direct than that.
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to a young thing, to yearn to show and teach some tokens of true love’s craft
She's looking for some "love lessons" but Gawain's not up for teaching them, apparently.
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much speech they there expound of love, its grief and grace
They are enjoying a deep conversation on the nature of love.
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you may lip when you will
This is a great line.
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for that I dare not do, lest I were denied; if I were spurned, I’d be wrong, indeed, to have proffered.
"I dare not kiss in case I am turned down. If refused, I'd be at fault for offering in the first place."
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Yet I taught you of kissing
She encouraged him to kiss her and he did not respond quickly enough the day before.
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She came to the curtain and peeped at the knight.
If at first you don't succeed....
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courteous knight lay in his bed, Gawain gladly at home,
Gawain's back at home having his staycation (again).
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downs the dogs pell-mell;
the dogs are no match for this magnificent boar.
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their prize to exchange
Any "prize" they may win (for example, meat) will be shared/traded between the two.
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numbles
entrails of a deer
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heath
an area of coarse shrubbery.
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holts
the den of an animal
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he elder and the young;
Simon Armitage translation: "the cute one and the crone"
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anon
soon/shortly; "hurries anon" = makes himself ready
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but he had craved a kiss out of courtesy, with some trifling touch at some tale’s end.
Knights should seek kisses, if even out of politeness or try to sweet talk their way into one "at some tale's end" (once conversation is over).
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Though I were loveliest lady,’ so her mind had it, ‘the less is there love in his load’ – for his fate he sought that one,
In short: he is cold because he is thinking of the green knight and his future beheading.
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then should no errant on earth before you be chosen
She outlines his qualities above - kindness, courtesy, exquisite looks - then this line which should better be translated as: "no person on this earth should be picked before you".
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the knight with speeches clear answered her every case.
This implies he is countering every reason for why she would want to be with him. Why do you think he is resisting?
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than make much of the treasure and gold they have.
Ah...she's a romantic - she's willing to give up riches for a tryst with Sir Gawain.
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to the pleasing of your worth
to the prize of your praise
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your servant be, and shall.’ 50
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hasp
lock
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Nay, forsooth, beau sire
"Not so, beautiful sir"
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I yield me swiftly and sue for grace; and that is the best, to my mind, since behoves I must.’
Better translation: "I'll do whatever you want - which seems the best plan under the circumstances."
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lest a truce we shape
She wants to make a deal of some sort - or else she will "bind" him to the bed.
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You are a sleeper unsafe
This is a great come on line.
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The lord lay low, lurked a full long while,
He's feeling nervous about this.
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gaily abed lies
While the king is hunting deer all day, Gawain is happily asleep back at the castle.
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By God,’ quoth Gawain the good, ‘I grant it you, and that you lust for to play, like it methinks.’
Gawain agrees to the terms and appreciates the lord's playfulness.
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s one that wanted his wits, nor knew what he did.
The lord is talking nonsense like "one who might well be losing his mind."
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Dwell until New Year’s Day, and rise and ride on then. You shall be shown the way; it is not two miles hence.’
The green chapel is only two miles away - so he can still party away at the castle for the time being.
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That by no means he might.
Gawain has had a great time but has to leave...there's a green man waiting for him....
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St John’s Day
December 27.
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with clean courteous chat, closed from filth,
They're keeping it PG for now...but there's definitely a spark.
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sweet lady
"Sweet lady" is the younger one from the night before.
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They take him between them, and talking they lead him
He is sandwiched between the two ladies who continue to order up spiced cakes and wine.
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The elder he hails, bowing to her full low;
Gives his respects to the older lady first...good move....
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Her body was short and thick, her buttocks big and broad; Much sweeter a sweet to lick the one at her side for sure.
The "short and thick" one is the "great lady" (also translated as "matriarch" - the older one) but as this short poem-within-a-poem suggests, the knights would prefer to look at the younger one.
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Not alike though to look on those ladies were,
There is an extended description here of a young lady and an older one (and many contrasts drawn).
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The lord goes thereto and the lady as well;
They are attending chapel together for the evening mass.
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when barons blithe at His birth shall sit and sing.
"His birth" refers to the birth of Christ - as it is Christmas eve.
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Now shall we see show of seemliest manners and the faultless phrases of noble speaking.
This, presumably, because he comes from Arthur's court - it's a lot to live up to.
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This penance now you take
"Penance" because, though the food is plentiful and delicious, it consists mostly of fish (which is indicative of a fast day).
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hat a comelier knight never Christ made,
"A nobler creature Christ had never created" (they're really liking how he looks in his new clothes).
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nd thought him a brave baron that the burg owned,
The one who owns the estate.
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All clasped in his noble armour to hall they him brought, where a fair fire on a hearth fiercely flamed.
This must have been nice...he's been freezing cold all this time in the dead of winter and is brought to a hall with a roaring fireplace.
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crenellations
Defensive architecture - a castle wall.
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entablature
An architectural term; here is an example:
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Gringolet
This, by the way, is the name of Gawain's horse.
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Now he had signed himself times but three, when he was aware in the wood of a wall in a moat,
He crosses himself three times and is suddenly aware of a wall, a moat and a magnificent castle...
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Matins
service of morning prayer
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to Mary made his moan,
Here he is praying to Mother Mary to guide him to a home or haven.
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doughty,
brave and persistent
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All the Isle of Anglesey on the left hand he held, and fared over the fords by the forelands, over at Holyhead, till he reached the bank in the wilderness of Wirral
He travels from Camelot to the northern coast of Wales, opposite the islands of Anglesey, where he then turns east across the Dee to the forest of Wirral in Cheshire.
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Logres,
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to have dealt yon dear man a dukedom of worth.
They're lamenting that he should have been given a Dukedom instead of facing beheading by an ogre.
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ll that saw the seemly sight sighed in their hearts, and said softly the same thing all to each other, in care of that comely knight: ‘By Christ, ‘tis pity, that you, lord, shall be lost, who art of life noble!
Everyone thinks he's off to his death.
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ll his force in fight he found in the five joys that holy Heaven’s Queen had of her child;
These "five joys" are the: annunciation, nativity, resurrection, ascension and assumption. These overlap but are not similar to the Five Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, which were not formally established until the 16th century.
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irst he was found faultless in his five senses, and then failed never the knight in his five fingers, and all his trust in the field was in the five wounds that Christ caught on the cross, as the creed tells.
Why do you think the number five is being emphasized here?
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Gawain was for good known, and, as purified gold, void of every villainy, with virtues adorned all, so.
He's a good guy.
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The king, so keen by kind, then stood that strong man near.
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pentangle painted there
The five pointed star (also called "pentagram") that can be drawn without lifting a pen; referred to as Solomon's sign here as well. A mystical significance has been attributed to it.
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Then set they the plate shoes on his strong feet, his legs lapped in steel with lovely greaves, with knee-pieces pinned thereto, polished full clean, about his knees fastened with knots of gold;
The description here is perhaps meant to remind us of the detailed descriptions of the green knight's clothes.
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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.’
He will set off to find the green knight.
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Yet till All-Hallows with Arthur he lingers, and he made a feast on that day for the knight’s sake,
We've just fast forwarded in time by about eleven months.
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All-Hallows
"All Saint's Day" - November 1.
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Michaelmas
September 29.
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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,
Nature is a major theme of this work; you will see a lot of imagery and references to the seasons - the green knight is often seen as a metaphor for the harshness and unpredictability of nature which threatens human life.
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a year turns full turn, and yields never a like; the form of its finish foretold full seldom.
Who knows what the year will bring? Starts with a bang but could end in a whimper....(Allegra's more-or-less translation)
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his gift of adventure has Arthur thus on the first of the young year
It was Arthur, remember, who wanted a good story with his meal....well, be careful what you wish for.
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hang up your axe
A colloquial expression similar to "bury the hatchet" though here it also has an ironic literal meaning.
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Dear dame, today dismay you never; well become us these crafts at Christmas,
He's trying to calm Queen Guinevere down - telling her that such strange things often happen around Christmas time.
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be called recreant it behoves you.’
He will be considered a coward ("recreant") if he does not seek out the knight at the green chapel in a year's time.
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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;
He's holding his own head which is about to give the following speech....
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as if no mishap had him ailed, though headless now instead.
Remember Ichabod Crane?
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neither falters nor falls the fellow
He's still standing.
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that folk flailed it with their feet
The other knights are kicking the rolling head...this is quite the image.
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sundered
this is a strange verb that applies only to the crushing of bones
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his axe he strokes
Okay...in all seriousness, this translation is getting to the point of those Old English riddles. Better: "he touches the tempered steel".
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if I shall tell you truly, when you have tapped me and you me smoothly have smitten, I swiftly you teach, of my house and my home and my own name.
The green knight will reveal the details (his name, location) after the blow - he is getting impatient (as am I)....
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that you shall seek me yourself, where so you think I may be found upon field, and fetch you such wages as you deal me today before this dear company.’
He's making sure that Gawain - in one year's time - will seek him out and let him deal a similar blow.
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troth
oath - related to the word "truth"
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fain
with pleasure - the green knight is happy that it is Gawain who will strike the blow.
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Gawain goes to the giant, with weapon in hand, and boldly abides him, never bothered the less.
They are standing in front of each other; neither is apparently scared by this strange scenario.
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I am the weakest, I know, and of wit feeblest.
Direct characterization - I'm getting flashbacks of Lanval.
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f my liege lady liked it not ill,
Here Gawain is making sure that Guinevere is okay with him leaving the table to fight the knight himself.
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and strongly stirs it about, to strike with a thought. The man before him drew himself to full height,
Arthur heaves the axe above his head, ready to strike and the Green Knight stands taller, waiting for the blow (calm as a cucumber).
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mêlée
fight or skirmish (often involving many people).
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and I shall bear you the boon you’d be having.’
Arthur offers himself up.
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the blood shot for shame into his fair face
Arthur is blushing! Actually, he's probably red from rage. His knights are making him look bad...
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Where now your superiority and your conquests, your grinding down and your anger, your great words?
He's got a point. No one wants to face him from the hall...but, of course, a contender waits in the wings....
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a twelvemonth and a day.
...but, he will return to claim the "duty [he] deserves" in one year and one day.
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And I will stand his stroke straight, on this floor, if you will grant me the gift to give him another, again;
He's offering a "free hit" first.
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bairns
One of my favorite Scottish words; means "small child".
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ou may be sure by this branch that I bear here that I pass by in peace and no plight seek.
The holly (rather than the sword) symbolize that he has not come to fight.
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Nay, so help me
Nope. He's about to propose his "game".
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a-feared was he never,
keeping his cool....he's inviting him to dinner first and offers that they can discuss his business later.
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as all had slipped into sleep so ceased their noise
They are so quiet it is as if they are sleeping (they're not actually asleep at this point).
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and so of phantom and fairie the folk there it deemed.
The crowd has never seen anything like this before; they imagine it is magic or miracle.
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He stopped and studied ay who was of most renown.
The knights don't know who is more impressive in this moment: Arthur or the Green Knight.
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with himself speak reason.’
Another way: "with him I'll hold a pact."
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This stranger rides in and the hall enters, driving to the high dais, danger un-fearing.
He gallops right to the throne.
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ell-rod
An "ell" was a form of measurement during this time - roughly 45 inches - here referring to the Green Knight's axe head.
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at is greatest in green when groves are bare
holly is an evergreen - and the "greenest" of all evergreens.
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And yet he had no helm nor hauberk
He is wearing no armor.
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He looked as lightning bright, said all that him descried; it seemed that no man might his mighty blows survive.
Again, a final four line poem that "hooks" into the next chapter; here's a better translation from Simon Armitage: His look was lightning bright / said those who glimpsed its glow / it seemed no man there might / survive his violent blow.
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The pendants of his harness, the proud crupper, his bridle and all the metal enamelled was then; the stirrups he stood on stained with the same, and his saddle bows after, and saddle skirts, ever glimmered and glinted all with green stones. The horse he rode on was also of that hue,
Here are many details of the bridle (headgear used to control a horse) and saddle, skirt, etc. that adorn the hour who is "also of that hue" (the same color).
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audy of green, the gold ever inmost.
His garments have gold embroidering.
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nd all his vesture verily was bright verdure,
Basically - he is all green. His hair, beard, arms, leggings - even his horse is green or "verdure"
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as a giant were made, and over all deepest green.
This is why the tale concerns a "green knight" - here is his description. By the way, these last four lines are a poem-within-a-poem of rhyming couplets (which is why the style seems a bit different to the rest of the text).
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both his belly and waist were worthily small,
He's fit.
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a dreadful man
Sometimes translated as "a mountain of a man" - both quite large and quite handsome.
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the first course in the court duly served,
They're only on appetizers at this point....
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Now will I of their service say you no more
He's finally going to stop talking about the supper and transition into the actual story....
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Each his load as he liked himself,
Picture a medieval, all-you-can-eat buffet - with open bar.
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Dainties
Better translation: Delicacies
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wild warbles and wide wakened echoes, that many a heart full high heaved at their notes.
The din/noise makes the heart "float free" - not sure why this is (kettle drums, pipes and "wild warbles" don't seem very melodic...but there it is).
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king’s sister-sons
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trifles full courtly.
"chatting away charmingly...exchanging views"
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so busied him his young blood and his brain wild.
Love this line - great characterization of the young Arthur.
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the comeliest to descry glanced there with eyen grey; a seemlier ever to the sight, sooth might no man say.
Better translation of this: But not one stone outshone the quartz of the queen's eyes; with hand on heart, no one could argue otherwise
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price-proved with pennies any a day.
Translation: "beyond what pennies could buy."
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gaily,
cheerful/lighthearted - she's in a good mood.
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Ladies laughed out loud, though they had lost, while he that won was not wrath, that you’ll know.
The ladies who "lost" now, likely, have to forfeit a kiss to the knights. TL; DR: They're having a great time.
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Noel
This is referring to Christmas - the time of year the story takes place in.
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dole
a person's fate or destiny
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linked letters loaded,
So far, you have all been picking up on this highly alliterative style..."linked letters loaded" is referring to this device.
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list
listen
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baron rich,
Referring to Felix Brutus here...
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Felix Brutus
"Felix Brutus" is the great-grandson of Aeneas and the legendary founder of Britain.
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It was Aeneas the noble and his high kin who then subdued provinces, lords they became, well-nigh of all the wealth in the Western Isles: forth rich Romulus to Rome rapidly came,
Translation: Aeneas and his noble warriors then go out, conquering lands abroad and establish wealthy kingdoms throughout the western world (it was thought that both ancient Rome and Britain had their cultural roots in the destruction of Troy).
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Aeneas
A mythical hero of Troy and Rome; he survives the war and is made leader among the survivors.
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Light of heart was she when she clasped again her child.
Gotta love Marie de France's endings.
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Mont St. Michel
This place is BEAUTIFUL.
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joust with the dansellon, and abate his pride
oh, no....
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guerdon
a reward
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If this be done, perchance the orphan will not be fatherless all his days.
What do you make of this plan?
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or such was the usage of our fathers in the days of this tale
Apparently.
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When the damsel perceived how it was with her
translation: when she realized she was pregnant
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Tristan and Isoude
As you read...compare the account of this brief tryst to the accounts of Trisan and Yseult you have already read....
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Brangwaine
You may remember this character from the other account - the friend and maidservant who served up the love potion in the first place....
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But should rough hands part so fond a clasping, the hazel would wither at the root, and the honeysuckle must fail.
What might the hazel wand symbolize?
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Then they rode across the plain together, and were no more seen.
Aw....! Happy Valentine's Day everyone!
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I am not of that guild of which you speak
One common interpretation here that she has accused him of homosexuality and he is denying it in this passage.
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You may receive a queen’s whole love
Here she is offering herself to him sexually.
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He drew apart from the throng, for with him time went heavily, till he might have clasp and greeting of his friend.
He prefers to think of his own maiden.
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Queen.
Though not explicitly named by Marie de France, this is Queen Guinevere.
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THE LAY OF THE HONEYSUCKLE
Note that this tale is better known by its French name, "Chevrefoil"
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The Bretons tell that the knight was ravished by his lady to an island, very dim and very fair, known as Avalon. But none has had speech with Launfal and his faery love since then, and for my part I can tell you no more of the matter.
How do yo interpret this ending?
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But he never craved her in love, however loud his boasting
Keep in mind here that a knight is meant to be devoted to his "lady" (the Queen who should personify perfect love to him). For more information, see this article.
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he Maiden herself showed such as I will tell you. Passing slim was the lady, sweet of bodice and slender of girdle. Her throat was whiter than snow on branch, and her eyes were like flowers in the pallor of her face. She had a witching mouth, a dainty nose, and an open brow. Her eyebrows were brown, and her golden hair parted in two soft waves upon her head. She was clad in a shift of spotless linen, and above her snowy kirtle was set a mantle of royal purple, clasped upon her breast. She carried a hooded falcon upon her glove, and a greyhound followed closely after.
What do you think of this description/characterization?
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But little peace is there for him who is harassed by a King
Very true.
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he Kin
"The King" referred to here is Arthur.
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troth
oath of loyalty
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but kitchen wenches
Great description.
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the feast of St. John
This takes place at the end of June.
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but I must never be known of your comrades, nor must they ever learn my speech.
Why do you think she makes this stipulation?
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vesper hour
"vespers" refers to an evening mass
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aught
anything at all.
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Semiramis
This is an allusion to a famous Babylonian Queen, Shammuramat who lived somewhere between 911-605 BC.
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demoiselle
young lady
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hereat.
as a result of this.
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taken in the toils.
A term used in Shakespeare as well, meaning "entrapped".
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misprized
undervalued
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Breton
refers to a person from Brittany
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Lay
An anglicized spelling of "lai" a French literary form, defined as: "a medieval type of short tale in French literature that is usually in octosyllabic verse and deals with subjects of Celtic origin often connected with Arthur or the Round Table."
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hat she held in her lap a boar’s head which befouled her skirts with blood; then she knew that she would never see her lover again alive.
The boars-head was symbolic in Beowulf (and Germanic myth) - usually denoting a powerful warrior.
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he gazed far off over the water.
This reminds me of the line earlier (about Yseult, when he leaves Cornwall): "Iseult followed him with her eyes."
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cup well chiselled and worked
Note how important cup symbolism is in this story. In the interpretation of Tarot cards (these become popular in the late medieval age), cups symbolize emotional issues and love relationships.
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but all day long she thought upon her vengeance.
This second Yseult is proving to be a more round character here - I'd like to hear her version of this story.
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With the first fair wind Kaherdin took the open
This is a good friend.
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was wounded by a poisoned spear
Note the "bookending" here - Yseult cured him of a poisoned spear once (in the opening chapters)...can she do it again?
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I would spend the first holy nights of my wedding in prayer and in silence.”
Good save.
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But he could not live in the peace of his own land
Does he thrive on conflict?
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Then Tristan went out to find Urgan in his lair, and they fought hard and long, till courage conquered strength, and Tristan, having cut off the giant’s hand, bore it back to the Duke.
Again, the audience is spared a battle scene here - the entirety of the of confrontation with a giant is summarized in a single sentence. Why do you think this is?
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all men saw them fresh and clean and cold.
Whew.
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he may swear on the relics of the saints and hot iron will not hurt her
Not looking good here for Yseult.
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hide till you know how the King may treat me, whether in wrath or kindness, for I am afraid.
Smart woman.
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in this wood she lives a slave, and I waste her youth;
Do you think he wants to "return" her to Mark out of genuine pity or to save himself future trouble?
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Tristan’s leap
This place may actually exist; it is often said to be "Roche Rock".
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chantry
A chapel, altar or other part of a church.
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the felons felt or knew which way lay truth,
How do you suppose they knew?
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I have found you wine!” Now she had found not wine — but Passion and Joy most sharp, and Anguish without end, and Death.
Great line; pretty much sums up the views on love at the time - passion, joy, anguish, death.
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Brangien
This is Yseult's lady-in-waiting (handmaid) and friend.
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lies and felony
Remember, early in the text, these were the two things that Tristan hated..."lies and felony"...
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or the hoofs that made it had never been shod in her land. Then she came on the dragon, headless, and a dead horse beside him: nor was the horse harnessed in the fashion of Ireland.
Here we see Yseult putting the clues together....
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Seneschal of Ireland
"Lord High Steward"
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t is the roar of a dragon the most terrible and dauntless upon earth.
Of course. We needed a dragon right about now.
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Iseult of the Golden Hair
Note the use of epithet here; this is very common in literature (and historically) during this period.
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philtres
"a drink supposed to arouse love and desire for a particular person in the drinker; a love potion."
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From that day Iseult the Fair knew and hated the name of Tristan of Lyonesse.
Do you recognize this motif? :)
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they saw that Tristan stood on the prow holding a sword in his hand.
Note that we do not see Tristan in battle - only victorious afterward - why do you think this is?
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