Starting from the assumption taht 'Pearl', 'Purity', 'Patience' and 'Sir Gawain and the Green knight' are by one poet, W.A. Davenport seeks to define the nature of his art. He makes a close analysis of each poem, considering the four not so much in their historical context as for their immediate poetic effect.

W.A. Davenport is Senior Lecturer in English at Royal Holloway College, Univeristy of London

Bibliographical Preface

1. Introduction

2. Pearl

The main elements of subject matter and presentation

The dream and the dreamer

Formal devices in Pearl

Conclusion: feeling versus form

3.Purity

Introduction

The poet as teller of tales

The poet as homilist

Themes versus instances

4.Patience

Introduction

The prologue

Story and epilogue

The dangerous edge of things

5. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

The literary sophistication of Sir Gawain

Gawain's adversaries

Part I: The Challenge

Part II: The Castle

Part III: Huntsman, Temptress and Host

Part IV: The Judge

The poet's treatment of the hero and his adventure

6.The Poet and his Art

The poet's view of things

The poet's artistic aims

The man behind the masks

Notes

Index