Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

For Camelot buffs, it's a famous tale, told with blood and gusto in "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight." King Arthur, Guinevere, and their knights of the Round Table sit at a Christmas feast, young Sir Gawain at their side.

A massive green knight in green armor on a great green horse rides right into the hall and issues a crazy challenge. A blow for a blow, with a quest in between and death almost certain. To save the king's honor, young Gawain makes the quest, through wilderness and bed chamber, battle axe and seduction, and maybe with a very modern moral.

This hour, On Point: from out of the past, a new rendition of "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight."Guests:

Simon Armitage, poet and translator of a new version of "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight."

Elizabeth Fowler, professor of medieval and Renaissance literature at the University of Virginia.

Stefan Pasker, medieval reenactor who directed a version of "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" at this year's Connecticut Renaissance Faire.