"One of the earliest literary works to be written in Middle English and one of the first comic poems in the English language, The Owl and the Nightingale (1189-1216) is an anonymous work that describes a debate between two birds. In arguing about such topics as love, marriage, and nesting habits, the owl and the nightingale address issues that remain relevant to contemporary society, such as identity, cultural background, class distinctions, and the right to be heard. ... Some scholars see it as a commentary on different ...
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"One of the earliest literary works to be written in Middle English and one of the first comic poems in the English language, The Owl and the Nightingale (1189-1216) is an anonymous work that describes a debate between two birds. In arguing about such topics as love, marriage, and nesting habits, the owl and the nightingale address issues that remain relevant to contemporary society, such as identity, cultural background, class distinctions, and the right to be heard. ... Some scholars see it as a commentary on different traditions of debate; others read it as a reflection of modern scientific thinking on the differences between the human and the animal. The award-winning poet Simon Armitage has translated the 1,700-line poem using full rhyming couplets in iambic octameter. The book includes a facing-page translation of the poem, along with an introduction by Armitage"--
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Seller's Description:
New. From the UK Poet Laureate and bestselling translator of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, a complete verse translation of a spirited and humorous medieval English poem The Owl and the Nightingale, one of the earliest literary works in Middle English, is a lively, anonymous comic poem about two birds who embark on a war of words in a wood, with a nearby poet reporting their argument in rhyming couplets, line by line and blow by blow. In this engaging and energetic verse translation, Simon Armitage captures the verve and humor of this dramatic tale with all the cut and thrust of the original. In an agile iambic tetrameter that skillfully amplifies the prosody and rhythm of the original, Armitage's translation moves entertainingly from the eloquent and philosophical to the ribald and ridiculous. Sounding at times like antagonists in a Twitter feud, the owl and the nightingale quarrel about a host of subjects that still resonate today-including love, marriage, identity, cultural background, class distinctions, and the right to be heard. Adding to the playful, raucous mood of the barb-trading birds is Armitage, who at one point inserts himself into the poem as a "magistrate...to adjudicate"-one who is "skilled with words & worldly wise / & frowns on every form of vice." Featuring the Middle English text on facing pages and an introduction by Armitage, this volume will delight readers of all ages.
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Fine. Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. 144 p. Lockert Library of Poetry in Translation, 134. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
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Good. Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. 144 p. Lockert Library of Poetry in Translation, 134. May show signs of wear, highlighting, writing, and previous use. This item may be a former library book with typical markings. No guarantee on products that contain supplements Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Twenty-five year bookseller with shipments to over fifty million happy customers.
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Seller's Description:
New. Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. 144 p. Lockert Library of Poetry in Translation, 134. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
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Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used textbooks may not include companion materials such as access codes, etc. May have some wear or limited writing/highlighting. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
