Poetry Review: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Passus I, Stanza 3, Lines 37 through 59

Passus I, Stanza 3, Lines 37 through 59:

Modern English:
This king lay at Camelot at Christmastide;
Many good knights and gay his guests were there,
Arrayed of the Round Table rightful brothers,
With feasting and fellowship and carefree mirth.
There true men contended in tournaments many,
Joined there in jousting these gentle knights,
Then came to the court for carol-dancing,
For the feast was in force full fifteen days,
With all the meat and the mirth that men could devise,
Such gaiety and glee, glorious to hear,
Brave din by day, dancing by night.
High were their hearts in halls and chambers,
These lords and these ladies, for life was sweet.
In peerless pleasures passed they their days,
The most noble knights known under Christ,
And the lovelies ladies that lived on earth ever,
And he the comeliest king, that that court holds,
For all this fair folk in their first age
were still.
Happiest of moral kind,
King noblest famed of will;
You would now go far to find
So hardy a host on hill.

Summary:
This “king lay at Camelot at Christmastide” (37) The word “lay” means the king lies in a recumbent posture at “Camelot at Christmastide,” Christmastime (37). Camelot is the capital of Arthur’s kingdom, located in southwest England or southern Wales. The gay knights and guests join King Arthur around the Round Table. According to legend, Merlin made the Round Table after a dispute broke out among Arthur’s knights about precedence. The Round Table seated one hundred knights. The table described in the poem is not round. The knights and guest were there for “feasting and fellowship and carefree mirth” (40). The term “carefree mirth” means free from care or anxiety to express pleasurable feeling, enjoyment, gratification, joy and happiness.

“True men contented in tournaments” (41). The term “true men” men who are steadfast in adherence to a commander or friend, to a principle or cause, to one's promises, faith, firm in allegiance, faithful, loyal, constant and trusty. The men joined in “jousting these gentle knights” (42). The word “jousting” means a combat in which two knights or men-at-arms on horseback encountered each other with lances, more specifically a combat of this kind for exercise or sport. The jousting tournament is a series of such encounters, as a spectacular display. The reference to “gentle knights” means knights well-born, belonging to a family of position, originally used synonymously with noble. A knight that has the rank or status of ‘gentleman’, the distinguishing mark of which is the right to bear arms. The jousting tournaments consisted of the “true men” against the “gentle knights.” After the jousting tournament, they “came to the court for carol-dancing” (43). The term “carol-dancing” means a ring-dance with accompaniment of song, a ring of men or women holding hands and moving round in dancing step.

The description of the “feast was in force full fifteen days” (44). The fifteen day feast includes all “the meat and the mirth” (45). The word “mirth” means pleasurable feeling enjoyment, gratification, joy, and happiness. The feast included “gaiety and glee” (46). The term “gaiety and glee” means the condition of being gay, cheerfulness with gratification and enjoyment, and entertainment, play and sport. The feast also included “dancing” (47). In the 14th Century, guests and knights would perform a ring-dance with accompaniment of song, a ring of men or women holding hands and moving round in dancing step. During these fifteen days of feasting, their hearts were high for “these lords and these ladies” (49). In “peerless pleasures,” in unequaled pleasures, they “passed … their days” (50). The guests were the “most-noble knights known under Christ” (51). The ladies were the “loveliest ladies that lived on earth” (52). The king was the “comeliest“ (53). The reference to the king as the “comeliest” is applied in courtesy to those of noble station, and refers to their pleasing or agreeable morality, to notions of propriety, or æsthetic taste, becoming, decent, proper, seemly and decorous disposition.

The guests were the “Happiest of mortal kind” (56). The word “mortal” means a person who is destined to die, a human being. The “King noblest famed of will” (57). The word “will” means the king was the noblest king and was famed or famous for achieving his desires, wishes, and longings. The reader “would … go far to find (58)/ “So hardy a host on hill” (59). The poet addresses the reader directly, and tells the reader that he or she will not find such a strong, enduring and tough host on a hill. In the 14th Century, kings and nobility often resided on a hill for protection. If an enemy advances towards the hill, those on the hill will see them in advance and be forewarned and prepared.

Poetry Review: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Passus 1, Stanza 2, Lines 20 through 36

Passus 1, Stanza 2, Lines 20 through 36:

Modern English:
And since this Britain was built by this baron great,
Bold boys bred there, in broils delighting
That did in their day many a deed most dire.
More marvels have happened in this merry land
Than in any other I know, since that olden time,
But of those that her built, of British kings,
King Arthur was counted most courteous of all,
Wherefore an adventure I aim to unfold,
That a marvel of might some men think it,
And one unmatched among Arthur’s wonders.
If you listen to my lay but a little while,
As I heard it in hall, I shall hasten to tell
Anew.
As it was fashioned featly
In tale of derring-do,
And linked in measures meetly
By letters tried and true.

Summary:
Britain “was built by this baron great” (20). The term “baron great” means a great, but specific order or rank, a baron is the lowest grade of nobility. In Britain, “Bold boys bred there, in broils delighting” (21). The term “bold boys” means stout-hearted, courageous, daring and fearless boys that were born and raised there. The boys delighted in confusion and the disorder of building. The boys did many deeds that were “dire,” dreadful, dismal, mournful, horrible and terrible in order to build the city (22).

”Marvels have happened in this merry land” (23). A “marvel” is a miracle. The term “merry land” means land that causes and creates pleasure and happiness, land that is pleasing and delightful. More miracles have happened in this land “Than in any other I know” (24). The Gawain-poet introduces Britain’s leader, the legendary King Arthur. The introduction of King Arthur results in the poet’s first slam when he refers to of all the British kings, “King Arthur was counted most courteous of all” (26). The poet is going to unfold an adventure. Some men may think of the adventure as a “marvel,” miracle (28). This adventure is “one unmatched among Arthur’s wonders” (29). The term “Arthur’s wonders” means cause by Arthur for astonishment. The poet asks for the reader to “listen to [his] lay for but a little while” (30). The word “lay” means tale. The poet asks the reader to listen to his tale for a little while. The poet is going to recite the adventure as he “heard it in the hall” (31).

The tale was “fashioned featly” (33). The term “fashioned featly” means the tale was told properly, suitably, neatly and elegantly. The tale was of a “derring-do” means literally daring to do, which, by a chain of misunderstandings and errors, have come to be treated as a kind of substantive combination, taken to mean, daring action or feats and may include desperate courage. The tale was “linked in measures meetly” (35). The tale was “linked,” connected by, joined, coupled and associated, in “measures meetly,” to an extent as to not be exceeded, a limit that is fitting, proper and suitable. The tale was connected in a proper amount “By letters tried and true,” by excellent words chosen and selected through trial and error and were true.

Film Review: Unforgiven, Directed by Clint Eastwood, Winner of Academy Award for Best Picture in 1992

Review by Thumper: Thumps from 1 to 5: Thump of 4.5

The movie “Unforgiven” is a 1992 Western film—noir produced and directed by Clint Eastwood with a screenplay written by David Webb Peoples. The film won four Academy Awards including Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Gene Hackman, Best Director for Clint Eastwood, Best Film Editing for Joel Cox, and Best Picture for Clint Eastwood. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor, Best Art Direction—Set Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Sound and Best Original Screenplay.

The film stars Clint Eastwood, who was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor, playing William Munny. This film co-stars Gene Hackman, who won the Academy Award for Best Actor in Supporting Role, playing Little Bill Daggett. The film also co-stars Morgan Freeman, playing Ned Logan, Richard Harris, playing English Bob, Jaimz Woolvett, playing The Schofield Kid, Saul Rubinek, playing W.W. Beauchamp, and Frances Fisher, playing Strawberry Alice.

A house of ill-repute in Big Whiskey, Wyoming, offers a $1000 reward to whoever can kill two cowboys who cut-up the face of one of their whores. This upsets the local sheriff, a former gunfighter known as Little Bill Daggett who doesn't allow guns or assassins in his town.

In Kansas, the Schofield Kid pays a visit to the farm of William Munny, an aging yet notorious outlaw, down on his luck, and trying to reform. The Kid recruits Munny to kill the two cowboys. Munny recruits his old partner Ned Logan, another retired outlaw.

In Big Whiskey, gunfighter English Bob and his biographer arrive also seeking the $1000 reward. Little Bill cleverly disarm old English Bob and beats him in the street, to set an example for other reward hunters. English Bob is kicked out of town on his ass, but his biographer stays to observe and take notes regarding another legend Little Bill.

Munny, Logan and the Kid arrive in Big Whiskey they interface with Little Bill in the saloon. Logan and the Kid go upstairs to get “advance-payments” from the prostitutes while Munny stays downstairs only to receive a whipping. Like all good westerns, this one also has a love story.

Review by Thumper: Thumps from 1 to 5: Thump of 4.5

Film Review: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Directed by Frank Capra

Review by Thumper: Thumps from 1 to 5: Thump of 4.5

This film “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” is directed by Frank Capra and written by Sidney Buchman based on Lewis R. Foster’s unpublished novel. This film is Frank Capra’s finest. It is starring James Stewart and Jean Arthur. The film co-stars Claude Rains, Edward Arnold, Guy Kibbee, Thomas Mitchell and Harry Carey. The film was nominated for eleven Academy Awards. It won an Academy Award for Best Screenplay.

A governor, of a state in the mid-west, Hubert "Happy" Hopper, played by Guy Kibbee, has to pick a replacement for deceased U.S. Senator Sam Foley. His corrupt political boss, Jim Taylor, played by Edward Arnold, pressures Hopper to choose his handpicked stooge, while popular committees want a reformer. The governor's children want him to select Jefferson Smith, played by James Stewart, the head of the Boy Rangers. Hopper can’t decide so he flips a coin. When the coin lands on its side next to a newspaper clipping regarding Jefferson Smith putting out the forest fire by himself, Hooper selects him. Hooper decides that Smith’s popularity will garner him more votes, and his inexperience will allow Senator Joseph Paine, played by Claude Rains the ability for manipulation.

Senator Joseph Paine was Jefferson Smith’s father’s best friend in an altruistic venture to save and protect the disadvantaged. Jefferson Smith is immediately attracted to Senator Pain’s daughter Susan, played by Astrid Allwyn. Senator Paine suggests to Jefferson Smith that he work on a new bill. Jefferson Smith is assisted by his cynical but delightful secretary Clarissa Saunders, played by Jean Arthur. The new bill being proposed by Smith conflicts with a bill of Senator Paines that he set up for graft.

This film takes a high launch into the outer echelon of films histories most significant depiction of the senate in action or not, during a filibuster instigated by the novice senator Jefferson Smith. Jefferson Smith is full of right, honesty, and drive, but is thwarted by the political machinery and manipulation of Washington DC. None other than Harry Carey plays the President of the Senate or referee. It is necessary view for all history buffs. In France, the film’s release received rave reviews amongst an extremely appreciative audience, but only four days later the German Nazis banned the film. Who wins … watch the walrus wager and wiggle that wag?

Review by Thumper: Thumps from 1 to 5: Thump of 4.5

Poetry Review: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by Gawain Poet, Passus I,

Passus I, Stanza 1, Lines 1 through 19:

Modern English:
Since the siege and the assault was ceased at Troy
The walls breached and burnt down to brands and ashes,
The knight that had knotted the nets of deceit
Was impeached for his perfidy, proven most true,
It was high-born Aeneas and his haughty race
That since prevailed over provinces, and proudly reigned
Over well-nigh all the wealth of the West Isles.
Great Romulus to Rome repairs in haste;
With boast and with bravery builds he that city
And names it with his own name, that it now bears.
Ticius to Tuscany, and towers raises,
Langobard in Lombardy lays out homes,
And far over the French Sea, Felix Brutus
On many broad hills and high Britain he sets,
most fair.
Where war and wrack and wonder
By shifts have sojourned there,
And bliss by turns with blunder
In that land’s lot had share.

Summary:
The poem begins with a reference to when the “siege and assault was ceased at Troy” (1). The poet places the reign of King Arthur in a broad historical perspective which includes the fall of Troy. The poem makes reference to the “knight that had knotted the nets of deceit” (3). The deceitful knight is Antenor, who in Virgil’s “Aeneid” is a trusted counselor, but who appears as a traitor in later versions of the Troy story. Antenor is referenced here as a traitor to Troy, and was “impeached for his perfidy” (4). The word “perfidy” means deceitfulness, untrustworthiness, breach of faith or of a promise, betrayal of trust and treachery. Antenor was impeached due his deceitfulness and treachery.

The rulers of the West Isles were “high-born Aeneas and his haughty race” (5). The term “high-born” means born in a high rank of society, or of noble birth. The term “haughty race” means the race considered themselves high in their estimation, lofty and disdainful in feeling or demeanor, proud, arrogant, and supercilious when it came to their disposition their action and speech. They “prevailed over provinces, and proudly reigned” (6). The word “prevail” means to become very strong, to gain vigor or force, and to increase in strength over provinces, a country, territory, district, or region, a region of the earth or of a continent, included are the inhabitants of such a region or a nation. The word “reign” means to hold or exercise the sovereign power or authority in a state, to rule or govern as king or queen, sometimes in restricted sense, to hold the royal office without being actual ruler, to have a limited or nominal sovereignty. The ruled “Over well-nigh all the wealth” (7). The term “well-nigh” means very nearly, almost wholly or entirely all the wealth.

In accordance with medieval notions of history, the poet visualizes Aeneas, son of the king of Troy, and his descendants, as founding a series of western kingdoms to which each gives his name. We are told what “Romulus is to Rome” (8). “Ticius is to Tuscany” (11). “Langobarb is to Lombardy” (12). This westward movement ends with the crossing of the “French Sea” or British Channel (13). Felix Brutus, the great-grandson of Aeneas, is to “Britain” (14). This Brutus, whom the poet calls felix or fortunate, is not to be confused with the Marcus Brutus of Roman history. They are all founders of great cities, who were then honored by having the cities named after them.

Rome, Tuscany, Lombardy and Britain are locations “Where war and wrack and wonder” (16)/ “By shifts have sojourned there” (17). The term “wrack and wonder” means retributive punishment, vengeance, revenge and wonder, astonishment. By shifts, a beginning or movement towards progress, have sojourned, a place of temporary stay, there, the city or region. In Rome, Tuscany, Lombardy and Britain war and retributive punishment and astonishment by migration towards have traveled.

“Bliss by turns with blunder” (18)/ “In that land’s lot had share” (19). The contrasting words “bliss” means to give joy or gladness, while “blunder” means confusion, bewilderment, trouble, disturbance and clamor. In the new region, the experience was either joy or disturbance. A “lot” is an object, normally a piece of wood, which was used in a widely diffused ancient method of deciding disputes regarding the division of property. Each lot or piece of wood bears the special mark of a person to whom the land is to be their claim. The claim was determined by an appeal to the divine agency supposed to be concerned in the results of chance. The word “share” means the part or portion of the land which is allotted or belongs to an individual, when distribution is made.

Poetry Review: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by Gawain-Poet, 14th Century

“Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” was written by an unknown author, referred to as the Gawain-poet, in the late 14th Century. In 1839, it was found in the British Library. The British Library obtained the poem from the Cotton Library, and Sir Robert Cotton obtained it from a library in Yorkshire. The Gawain-poet lived somewhere in the Midlands of England, near Stafford. Upon finding the poem in the library, it was not discarded because it was written on an unusual substance parchment, animal skin.

The poem was dispersed and examined by the curator of the library. The curator found the poem to be a literary work of the highest quality. The poem is the finest Arthurian poem in the English language. This poem is regarding King Arthur’s court and the knights of the Round Table, more specifically their most famous knight Sir Gawain. The Gawain-poet knew Latin and French, which is where the poet encountered the source stories of the “Beheading Game,” “Temptation Story,” and “Exchange of Winnings.”

This poem is divided into four passus, passus I through IV. The poem consists of 101 irregular stanzas, and each stanza is concluded with what is referred to as the “bob” and “wheel.” The bob and wheel is a five-line rhyming group. The first line has one stress and is referred to as a bob. The four three stress lines that follow are referred to as a wheel. Each bob and wheel has a rhyming scheme of ABABA.

This poem was written in Middle English, more specifically Middle English with a dialect from the midlands of England closely associated with Germanic languages. The literary information provided will include “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” in Middle English, Modern English, and the poem will be summarized by etymologizing, searching for the historical definition of the words. The summary of the poem shall be in prose by passus and stanza.

Film Review: Videodrome, Written and Directed by David Cronenberg

Review by Thumper: Thump score from 1 to 5: Thump of 4

“Videodrome” is a cult-classic from 1983. “Viedeodrome is written and directed by David Cronenberg. This film stars James Woods and Deborah Harry from “Blondie.” It is one of his most original and provocative films, fusing social commentary with shocking sex, torture and violence, and psychological hallucinations. At times, the viewer is left wondering how “Videodrome” was ever produced and distributed. How did they get this past the censure board? For its time, it has groundbreaking special effects, and makeup by Academy Award winner, Rick Baker. “Videodrome” is one of the most influential horror and mind-bending science fiction films of the 1980s.

When Max Renn, played by James Woods, goes looking for edgy new shows for his sleazy cable TV station, he stumbles across the pirate broadcast of a violent torture show named “Videodrome.” As Max Renn struggles to unearth the origins of the program, he embarks on a hallucinatory journey into a shadowy underworld communicating to him through an analog-philia of right-wing conspiracies, sadomasochistic sex games, republican senators, and bodily transformation and mutilation.

The irony of the film is that it was top of the line in technology. However, the technology they use in the film for video is the old VHS tape systems coupled with an analog communications system. The distortion or fuzz on the television screen means hallucinations are being transcribed into the mind of the person viewing the screen. One of the highlights of the movie is when James Woods inserts a VHS tape into an insertion in his stomach, and the old VHS tape takes control of his mind. Like fine wines, this film has improved over the last few decades.

From an historical perspective, it is an interesting film to view in relationship to archaic analog and VHS technology. Although “Videodrome” lacks the most modern technological advancement, the viewer is left wondering how David Cronenberg ever thought of such a twisted scenario. The film in 1983 and now pushes the envelope regarding social taboos. In 1983, the populace was into sex, cocaine, pot, speed, Macintosh computers and rock-n-roll. The film scored fourth as “Bravo TV's” “30 Even Scarier Movie Moments.” Also, it was selected as one of the “23 Weirdest Films” of all time. This is a must keep for the film industries historical archives.

Review by Thumper: Thump score from 1 to 5: Thump of 4