The Owl and the Nightingale

Synopsis

SHORTLISTED FOR THE DEREK WALCOTT PRIZE FOR POETRY

It is the current Poet Laureate who has done the most to bring medieval poetry to contemporary audiences . . . in its own eccentric way, [The Owl and the Nightingale] is every bit as enticing as Gawain . . . it is arguably the greatest early Middle English poem we have. Prospect


A graceful, elegant translation. Guardian

Following his acclaimed translations of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Pearl, Simon Armitage shines light on another jewel of Middle English verse. In his highly engaging version, Armitage communicates the energy and humour of the tale with all the cut and thrust of the original. An unnamed narrator overhears a fiery verbal contest between the two eponymous birds, which moves entertainingly from the eloquent and philosophical to the ribald and ridiculous. The disputed issues still resonate - concerning identity, cultural habits, class distinctions and the right to be heard. Excerpts were featured in the BBC Radio 4 podcast, The Poet Laureate Has Gone to His Shed. Including the lively illustrations of Clive Hicks-Jenkins, this is a book for the whole household to read and enjoy.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Debate Begins

* The narrator sets the scene with a beautiful description of a spring morning in a forest.
* Two birds, an owl and a nightingale, engage in a heated debate.
* The owl argues that night is superior to day, citing its advantages for singing, hunting, and contemplation.

Example:

"The night has a grandeur of its own," hooted the owl. "It is a time for deep thought and reflection, when the soul can commune with the stars."

Chapter 2: The Nightingale's Response

* The nightingale responds with a passionate defense of day.
* She praises its light, warmth, and the abundance of songs and colors it brings.

Example:

"Day is the time for joy and celebration," sang the nightingale. "It is when the world awakens and the air is filled with the music of life."

Chapter 3: The Owl's Rebuttal

* The owl counters the nightingale's arguments, highlighting the dangers and limitations of the day.
* He points out that sunlight can be blinding, heat can be oppressive, and the noise of the day can be overwhelming.

Example:

"In the day, one must endure the glare of the sun and the cacophony of sound," reasoned the owl. "But at night, there is peace and tranquility."

Chapter 4: The Nightingale's Final Defense

* The nightingale refuses to be swayed by the owl's arguments.
* She insists that the benefits of day far outweigh its drawbacks, and that it is the only true time for happiness and beauty.

Example:

"Day is the essence of life, the very breath that sustains us," declared the nightingale. "Without it, the world would be a cold and desolate place."

Chapter 5: The Author's Conclusion

* The narrator interrupts the debate, revealing that he has been listening to the entire conversation.
* He suggests that both sides have valid points, and that the true value of day and night lies in their balance.

Example:

"Night and day, day and night," wrote the author. "Each has its own virtues and its own deficiencies. It is in the harmonious blending of the two that we find the perfect rhythm of life."