Middle English Alliterative poetry
A revival of the English alliterative verse occurred about the middle of the 14th century. "English displaced French in the schools and law courts in 1362 parliament was open in the English language". It was natural that this national self-consciousness should be the revival of alliterative verse form, the old English form of verse.
There are four remarkably fine poems in a west midland dialect. These poems are pearl, purity patience and sir Gawain and the green Knight. There is no indication of authorship it is thought that they are written by the same poet. The date of the poem is a matter of conjecture that they were written in the third quarter of the 14th century.
a) Pearl: Of the four poem undoubtedly a pearl. It is a poem in some hundred lines are arranged in groups of 12 lines stanzas. It is caste in the form of a dream. So it is of a dream literature.
The poet has lost his little daughter and before she was 2 years old. In his grief he often visits her grave. One August day, by the fragrance of Herbs and flowers sleep on the grave dreams that he is in a land of great beauty. Hi wandered about in sheer delight. At last he comes Upon A bright stream. You wonders to cross it but cannot. on the other side he sees a shining maiden dressed in white with ornaments of Pearl. He comes to know that she is her lost child. Is speech left with joy and wonder. At last the poet sees her in the procession of virgin brides of Christ led by the lamb.
Many have taken pearl to be an allegory. some think the pearl symbolises the Eucharist. But has been interpreted as recording a state of spiritual dryness why the poet. The poem should better be viewed as a personal allergy in which the poet's grief at the loss of a Daughter gradually yields to resignation and spiritual reconciliation.
"The poem stands alone in middle English religious poetry for its sustained emotional quality and Technical mastery of versification" ( David Daiches)
2)-Purity : This poem is a discourse on purity. It shows how impossible it is for one who is unclean to approach God's presence and enforces the point by the parable of the man without a wedding garment. It is technically accomplished but lacks the special kind of sensibility which makes the pearl so impressive.
(3) Patience : It is a homily on the virtues of patience and story of Jonah helps the poet to explain those virtues. It has 531 lines.
4) Sir Gawain and the green Knight is the greatest document in English of the Arthurian romance of 2530 lines.It is considered to be one of the best of all Middle English allegories romances. The story element has connections with folklore. The main adventure is the challenge of an exchange of blows with the Green Knight, A challenge that is accepted by Gawain, A knight in King Arthur's court. Every morning when the lords goes away for hunting, Gawain is tempted by a lady. He repulses and advances and does not allow her to kiss him. Then there is a duel between Green Chapel and Gawain. After some time Green Knight reveals himself as the Lord of the castle. Gawain throws back the Green girdle and is ready to atone for his deception. Gawain returns to Arthur's court and tells the whole story. Gawain is truly the model of virtue, courtesy and courage.
The story opens with the appearance at Arthur's Court of gigantic knight clad in green and mounted on a green horse. The green Knight challenges one of Arthur's knight to strike him a blow the heavy axe he would provide on the condition that the knight will seek the Green knight 12 months hence and receive a similar blow in return. After some natural consternation and define speech by Arthur Gawain accepts the challenge, takes the axe and with one blow sends the knight's head up and leaves the court after warning Gawain to be faithful to his promise.
The charm of sir Gawain and the green Knight lies the description of nature of wild nature in the picture it give Brightside of mediaeval life in its detailed description of armour, dress, woodcraft architecture. It is free from besetting scenes of other romances. The incident are subordinate to the main purpose of the writer, is to produce a work of art dominated by a high ethical and physical courage. The poem is remarkable for the grace and loveliness with which the story is told the technical skill of versification, brilliant details of hunting scenes .Above all for the genial humour as revealed green Knights conversation with Gawain. (End)
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