hi, i have to choose 2 stanzas out of sir gawain and the green knight to translate into modern english and to write a critical commentary on, the problem is i dont have a clue which 2 to choose. also, what is involved in writing a critical commentary? can anyone help? thanx!

its me again, i forgot to say that the 2 stanzas that i choose must be after part 1 (after line 490)

hope anyone can help, thanx!

Egads! What a task. Sorry, it is a bit too dry for me to read, but here are some pointers for ya.

[www.luminarium.org] />
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[alliteration.net] />
[www.sparknotes.com]

tj, I have never read Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and don't have the text of it, so have no more clue than you. I'd be willing to bet the same applies to most of the Emule contributors

If you simply have to pick and 'translate' two stanzas, does it matter which stanzas you pick? Why not pick any two at random, and translate those?

As for a commentary, surely it will depend on what those two stranzas say.

tj, a couple of words of advice on choosing which stanzas to translate. First of all use one of Hugh's sources or others from the internet and read the modern English version so that you understand the story.

It's been a long time since I've read it, but basically it just introduces the idea of Knighthood and noble deeds, with an arch villain. It could be called the forerunner of English language heroic epics.

After you are familiar with the storyline, pick stanzas which you feel comfortable with. Choose them either for their atypical or vital contribution to the text. Be able to explain the Old version as well as you can from the modern translation.

Les

I've never read the poem but I saw the movie on Channel four Schools. It was made to look like stained glass all the way through. I can't believe that the Jolly green giant over in his castle thing was the same guy who let him stop over three nights before! and he was in cahoots with his wife!
I love having days off from collage...

Yea, the Green Knight was a right so and so. I prefer Beowulf, well Grendel's mum actually.