Karoline’s Reviews > Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl, and Sir Orfeo > Status Update
Karoline
is on page 74 of 158
Tolkien:
"The knights of renown and noble ladies all for the love of that lord had longing at heart, but nevertheless, the more lightly of laughter they spoke. Many were joyless who jested for his gentle sake."
Raffel:
"Gracious knights and lovely women grieving for love of Gawain, but laughing and drinking his name, smiling and joking while their hearts sank gray and cold." (lol)
— Aug 20, 2025 11:11AM
"The knights of renown and noble ladies all for the love of that lord had longing at heart, but nevertheless, the more lightly of laughter they spoke. Many were joyless who jested for his gentle sake."
Raffel:
"Gracious knights and lovely women grieving for love of Gawain, but laughing and drinking his name, smiling and joking while their hearts sank gray and cold." (lol)
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Karoline
is on page 73 of 158
BUT IS IT FUNNY?
I don't know if it's Tolkien's reading of this poem, or his translation choice, but it all sounds so serious. Except - is it really supposed to be serious when the nights are kicking around the Green Knight's head under the table???
Burton Raffel's translation leans into the comedy, and it makes more sense to me this way.
— Aug 20, 2025 11:08AM
I don't know if it's Tolkien's reading of this poem, or his translation choice, but it all sounds so serious. Except - is it really supposed to be serious when the nights are kicking around the Green Knight's head under the table???
Burton Raffel's translation leans into the comedy, and it makes more sense to me this way.
