Casually browsing through a second-hand bookshop as a sort of spur-of-the-moment whimsical decision to rummage through the shelves in search of a collectible edition is certainly a tell-tale sign of a literary connoisseur.
29 year old here. This is the first video I’ve watched of your channel and watched it from start to finish. It felt like I was sitting with my professor. Tolkien is an absolute legend. Going to start Tolkien’s translation this week. Cheers!
I was in Monmouth in the Summer thinking of Geoffrey and his love for his local land. Yet I found my attention drawn away by Wordsworth when I was above Tintern Abbey, looking at the Sylvan Wye, the wanderer through the woods.
My favourite work of literature since my teacher gave me a copy of Sir Gawain 3 years ago when I was 15. Since then I have read about 4 different translations and taught myself Middle English. Great video and what a cozy wee library.
Life is full of anxiety, stress and depression all overwhelmingly so but just watch one of your videos and it is like putting on an impervious protective armor.. albeit temporarily. Thank you so much
Malcolm, there is a new, beautiful edition of the Lord of the Rings being released in the UK on Oct 10. It is illustrated by Alan Lee, and he has new paintings for this edition - this edition is a keeper, the 70th Anniversary edition. Cheers, and thanks for the great videos
Tolkien's translations of these epic poems have yet to be surpassed, especially Pearl. I hope one day that beautiful poem features in one of your videos.
I love the ME text of this, and have a facsimile - I studied this and the rest of the Pearl MS for my MA at Leeds, and made my own translation into modern English - absolutely adore the language and the atmosphere of the whole thing. Side note, when Tolkien was at Leeds he started the Old Norse translation group, which was still going when I was there and which I joined and had a lot of fun with! Forgotten most of it now, but it was a high point of my life.
This brings back memories of falling in love with epic poetry. Long long long ago, I did one of my essays on Gawain and the Green Knight - an essay which is now lost. All epic poetry is fascinating because the characters and their motivations resonate deep in our souls. Love love love your new acquisition.
It is always a blessing and pleasure to watch your videos. I love to hear you read and share your thoughts. I have started reading more since I have found your channel. Thanks for sharing.
I had the pleasure of studying the Green Knight at university and this has inspired me to see if I can pick up a copy again, as I gifted mine away many years ago. I recall the iambic pentameter of the middle english rhythmically mimicking the great galloping of Sir Gawain’s horse and a passage where sibilance was used to personify the snake like qualities of one of his female temptresses. Still as relevant today in showing the beauty and art that language plays in story telling, thanks for sharing Malcolm 🙂
I was watching a video recently of someone who visited Tintagel and Merlin's cave and has intrigued me. As a Devonian I feel shame not visiting there before. God bless you Father. I was learning today as an Exonian had an impact on Tolkien via the Cathedral. Translations of the Anglo-Saxon text in "Crist", one of the poems within the Exeter Book, read: "Hail Earendel, brightest of angels, over middle-earth to men sent" The line is paralleled in The Two Towers when Frodo exclaims "Aiya Eärendil Elenion Ancalima!", which translates from Tolkien's invented language of Quenya to, "Hail Eärendil, brightest of stars!". It is also believed that this poem was the inspiration for the term "Middle-earth", the inhabitable lands in The Lord of the Rings.
I must now return to this text after a much long absence, having taught this text ages ago. Always love the connection with Tolkien. Thank you for the video Professor Guite. ††† Pax tibi!
Indeed, the whole of Tolkien is woven through with Anglo Saxon references, the song of Maldon, the Wanderer poem "they have passed like rain on the mountain". It's wonderful.
I remember, when I was about five or six years old, being enthralled by Arthurian mythology. Characters like Sir Gawain, Sir Kay, Sir Lancelot and Sir Galahad. I suppose this has had a continued effect on me, in the decades that followed. Thanks for sharing.
what weed of pipe was drew who learnt how to talk to an audience hew that could talk of a green knight and look upon the lady such light And express such joy to who in such shorten could say, upon my birthday all that which tolkein might say I thank you for being so solumn you speak in word so eloquently, and i dont use that word slightly you smoke as you speak as kind word as harsh and dont diminish none the either have one for me on my birthday got bored. whats the best tobacco for a "mug burner" in a hurry - am struggling to get through the silmarillion on a long trainey from par london to paris
I find when trying / tasting different blends of tobacco if I have a similar blend I can get a real appreciation of the differences and therefore; more details with the contrast than that of one tobacco alone. Today I tried Balkan Supreme, Mix 765, and fusilier's Ration. 3 of anything is just a treat. Today I was smoking a cob that I have stained
I'm in Usk this weekend, and 2nd hand bookshops are my families perfect past-time. There is something celtic, wistful and magical about this part of the world. Inspiration for Geoffrey of Monmouth to Led Zeppelin. Well done on your find!
Thank you, Malcolm, for making the Middle English poetry majestic for us. I agree, Tolkien does a top rate job. I love his use of “Fey” and “Fell”. Reminds me of the fey mood many of his characters get into in The Silmarillion. Bilbo and Frodo’s Birthday coming up this Lord’s Day, I’m sure you’re aware!
Love this story, didn't love the recent movie, was very much inspired by your style when I created a ballad setting. Great to see you home safe from the US.
Hello from a simple man in Tennessee...Thanking our Lord for a country that produces a God loving poet. Praying for your king and country...Such an iconic royal portrait..Art reveals so much more..
My name is Gwalchmai, I believe it’s Gawain as mentioned in Welsh literature. I believe my mother got it from the book Hawk of may. It’s an interesting name, I get asked about it all the time… Anyway always cool to learn about the character I was named after!
It's your lucky day, Squire - I just happen to have one here - fell off the back of a lorry. Make me an offer an' it's yours - but hurry : only one left!
Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a full pipe tobacco powered narration from Malcolm. The little snippets are great but it leaves me wanting more. How about the next section of the Narnian poems?
I found a copy of Coleridge, the Vicar of Wakefield, and a collection of Donne’s prose published by the folio society in Barter Books, Alnwick - all three added up to under 60 pounds. I really do recommend Barter Books if you are looking for second-hand folio books. It’s a veritable treasure trove.
@@MalcolmGuitespell It’s a wonderful place! My family visits it nearly every time we go up to Scotland - it’s so conveniently situated. And it allows dogs!
Was happy to find just yesterday in Coleraine Evangelical Bookshop a copy of your 'My Theology' book Malcolm. Was this hand delivered? 😉 Looking forward to reading!
My attempt at poetry inspired by Gawain: Whence went the wondrous knights of old, who's gilded glory the poets once told, willfully weathering what dangers unfold, wrought wisdom, virtues, and braveries bold. The great Green Knight wonders round, erst non Wawaine were to be found, hence sins and err' doth here abound. Our wayward winters have left us cold, to wanton wailings and witless failings, so grant us the Christian knights of old. Remind us, bring us back, and find us, the glorious, victorious, Gawains of old.
I wonder if the legend of the Green Knight is somehow connected to the giants of legend peppered throughout other histories and legends such as those told by the native continental Americans, ancient Eire, the Bible, etc.?
The Simon Armitage translation is really well done. I would listen to the audio version while on nightly walks around my village during those very dark times of the first 2020 lockdown (i walked at night to best avoid contact with others as was demanded at that time) and it was like I was existing in a liminal space on the veil of mysticism in which such things as the arthurian legends could be real.
May I ask, is there anywhere (maybe online) you'd recommend to buy tobacco from? I'm drawn to pipes by watching your videos but I'm a novice and don't know where to go. Many thanks and best wishes.
It’ll be a specific Zippo for pipes. It’ll have one larger hole exposing the wick so you can draw the flame down over the tobacco. A normal zippo has lots of little holes so won’t work.
