A companion to the Gawain-poet
By: edited by Derek Brewer and Jonathan Gibson.
Contributors: Brewer, Derek, 1923-; Gibson, Jonathan, 1965-
Series: Arthurian studies,; 38
Publisher: D.S. Brewer
Published: 1997
Place of publication: Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK; Rochester, NY, USA
Language: eng
Number of pages: 442
Subjects: Gawain and the Grene Knight; Pearl (Middle English poem); Patience (Middle English poem); Purity (Middle English poem); English poetry -- Middle English, 1100-1500 -- History and criticism; Christian poetry, English (Middle) -- History and criticism; Manuscripts, English (Middle) -- England -- West Midlands; Arthurian romances -- History and criticism; Knights and knighthood in literature
Description: This collection of original essays by an international group of distinguished medievalists provides a comprehensive introduction to the Morte Darthur, the great work of Sir Thomas Malory, which will be indispensable for both students and scholars.

As well as essays on the eight tales which make up the Morte Darthur, these are studies of the relationship between the Winchester manuscript and Caxton's and later editions; the political and social context in which Malory wrote; his style and sources; and his treatment of two key concepts in Arthurian literature, chivalry and the representation of women. The volume also includes a brief biography of Malory with a list of the historical records relating to him and his family.

It ends with a discussion of the reception of the Morte Darthur from the sixteenth to the twentieth centuries, and a select bibliography.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [393]-427) and indexes.