This poem is the one that made me fall in love with Middle English poetry so I’m so excited you want to read it! I think both translations are great & capture flavor in their own ways--depends on what you like: Tolkien’s feels more old fashioned, Armitage more contemporary. Both are good translations.
I've read Gawain and the Green Knight twice now (Tolkien's translation). Glad you're considering Pearl for the book club. Such a beautiful poem!
Tolkien's translation is great!
Thanks for this. Just what I needed today, to consider how winter and failure can be “chastening but not punitive.”
I'm glad it encouraged you!
This is a wonderful piece!
Thank you, Gina!
And now I really want to read Sir Gawain! :-) Do you recommend Armitage, or Tolkien, or someone else?
This poem is the one that made me fall in love with Middle English poetry so I’m so excited you want to read it! I think both translations are great & capture flavor in their own ways--depends on what you like: Tolkien’s feels more old fashioned, Armitage more contemporary. Both are good translations.
When words smack the back of your head: our pride must have winter weather. 🙏🏻
I felt the same way about those words!