Edmund Spenser (1552-99) The Faerie Queene (1590, 1596)

Things to Consider: Conventions of Traditional Epic Poetry Political vs. Spiritual/Religious Allegory Comparisons with other Christian Knights: Beowulf Sir Gawain Portrayal and Treatment of Women Spenserian Sonnet (abab bcbc cdcd ee) Spenserian Stanza (ababbcbcc)

(See Part Two  and Part Three

• Why, according to the editors, is Spenser's ambition "remarkable" (449)?

450:

• Explain the format of the Spenserian stanza. (see also 453)

452:

• How, according to the editors, is historical allegory present in The Faerie Queene?
• What, according to the editors, does the Faerie Queene herself represent?

Book One
Canto One:
455-56:

• Describe the party of travellers introduced at the beginning of Canto One. What is their mission? (cf. 485)

458:

• Why does the knight (Redcrosse) dismiss the concerns of the lady (Una) and the dwarf regarding entering the cave of Error?

463:

• Who is Morpheus? How does he function here?

• What is "Venus shamefull chaine" (1.2.35 [st.4])?

470-71:

• What is the significance of the snake imagery in stanza 9?

472:

• Why does Redcrosse fight Sans foy?

• How, according to the editors, did Spenser participate in England's efforts at colonialism?

• In what ways, according to the editors, is The Faerie Queene allegorical?

452;

• Explain: "[T]he enemies are revealed more often than not to be weirdly dissociated aspects of the knights themselves" (452).
• In what ways, according to the editors, is Spenser like Virgil?

• How, according to the editors, is spiritual allegory involved?

454:

• According to footnote 2, what do the trumpet and the pipes represent?
• Which "holy Virgin" is being addressed in stanza 2?
• What literary technique is being employed in stanza 2?

• What is the possible symbolic significance of the shady grove?

• How is Error described?

• What is the significance of what Error vomits up?

• Why does Error's brood drink her blood?

• Describe the old hermit (Archimago).

• What tasks does Archimago give the two spirits he summons?
• How well do they perform their tasks? Explain.

• Who is "knit" in Venus's"chain"?

• Why does Archimago hate Una?
• Who is Sans foy? What does his companion represent?

• What literary technique is employed in stanza 16? Explain.
  

• How has Fidessa come to be there?

• Who is she really?

• Explain: "For unto knight there is no greater shame, / Then lightnesse and inconstancie in love" (1.4.7-8 [st.1]).

• Describe the House of Pride (see esp. 1.4.31-32, 40-41 [sts. 4-5]).

• Why is everyone so eager to watch Lucifera enter the carriage?

• Who comes at the end of Lucifera's procession? Why?

• Why is Despair considered the "ultimate Christian sin" (488n)?

• What argument does Despair use to suggest that Redcrosse should die?

• What prevents Redcrosse from committing suicide?

• To what is the Mount of Contemplation compared?

• Who is St. George?

• How has Redcrosse (George) come to live in Faerie Land?

• Explain the reference to Phaëthon.
• Who are Pluto and Proserpina?
• Describe Lucifera.

• Why is her carriage led by Idleness?
• Why is Idleness dressed like a monk?

481:

• Describe Gluttony.

• Describe Lechery.

• Describe Avarice.

483:

• Describe Envie.

• Describe Wrath.

• Summarize Cantos 5 to 8.

• Who is Terwin?

488:

• How has Despair charmed Terwin and the other knight (Trevisan)?

• Describe the cave of Despair.

• Explain: "Is not short paine well borne, that brings long ease" (1.9.357 [st.40]).

• Why do Redcrosse and Mercie seek Contemplation?

• What is the new "Hierusalem"?

498:

• What is Cleopolis?

• What desire does Una express at the beginning of the Canto?

502:

• Why does Spenser invoke the Muse's aid again?

• Compare the description of the dragon with that of Error in Canto One.

• While fighting the dragon, how is Redcrosse able to recover from his injuries so quickly?

• How is Redcrosse able to recover from the second day's injuries?