Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queene is a cornerstone of English literature, widely regarded as one of the most significant and influential works of the English Renaissance. First published in 1590, with additional books released in 1596, Spenser’s epic poem, which he intended to span twelve books, stands incomplete with only six full books and a fragment of the seventh completed. Despite this, The Faerie Queene remains an unparalleled achievement in allegorical storytelling, rich in complex themes, symbolic characters, and moral lessons. The work is noted for its dense language, intricate use of allegory, and for being an extended praise of Queen Elizabeth I, disguised in the figure of Gloriana, the titular Faerie Queene.
The poem is written in Spenserian stanza—an innovative verse form that Spenser himself developed. Each stanza consists of nine lines, with the first eight in iambic pentameter and the final line in iambic hexameter, following an ABABBCBCC rhyme scheme. This structure contributes to the formal, courtly feel of the text, even as its narrative and themes delve into darker, more turbulent regions of human experience.
This article will offer a detailed summary and analysis of The Faerie Queene, examine key characters and their roles, explore the overarching themes, and investigate the impact and legacy of Spenser’s magnum opus.
Summary and Analysis of The Faerie Queene
The Faerie Queene is an epic poem composed of six completed books, each telling the story of a different knight who embodies a specific virtue. These knights undertake quests that are both literal and symbolic, representing spiritual and moral challenges. The knights are engaged in the service of Gloriana, the Faerie Queene, who symbolizes Queen Elizabeth I and, more broadly, the concept of virtuous governance.
Spenser’s allegory works on multiple levels, engaging with not only individual morality but also with political and religious concerns of his time. Each knight’s journey reflects the testing and development of a particular virtue, and the perils they encounter are imbued with moral and theological meaning. These trials often represent the tension between Protestant and Catholic ideologies in Elizabethan England, as well as the complexities of the human soul’s battle between good and evil.
Book I: The Legend of the Redcrosse Knight (Holiness)
Book I follows the Redcrosse Knight, representing the virtue of holiness, as he embarks on a quest to rescue Lady Una’s parents from a dragon. The Redcrosse Knight’s journey is one of spiritual growth and learning, as he faces the forces of deception and sin. Una, symbolizing truth and the Protestant Church, accompanies him, representing the constant need for religious truth in a world filled with falsehoods and corruption.
Along the way, Redcrosse encounters Duessa, a deceitful sorceress who symbolizes Catholicism and false doctrine. She seduces him, leading him astray from his virtuous path. Redcrosse’s battle with the dragon in the final canto is a clear allegory for the struggle between good and evil, with the dragon representing Satan. After much trial and tribulation, the Redcrosse Knight defeats the dragon, reaffirming his commitment to holiness and to Una, symbolizing the victory of Protestant truth over the forces of deception.
Book II: The Legend of Sir Guyon (Temperance)
Book II centers on Sir Guyon, the knight of temperance, who must learn to balance his passions and desires to avoid falling into excess. His quest is to destroy the Bower of Bliss, an enchanted garden of sensual delights ruled by the sorceress Acrasia, representing self-indulgence and excess.
Guyon’s journey is marked by numerous temptations, but he ultimately remains steadfast in his virtue. The destruction of the Bower of Bliss is symbolic of the triumph of temperance over excess and the dangers of unchecked desires. Spenser’s portrayal of temperance is not just about moderation in physical appetites, but also about the balance between mind and body, reason and passion.
Book III: The Legend of Britomart (Chastity)
Britomart, the female knight representing chastity, is the central figure of Book III. Her quest is driven by love and destiny, as she seeks to find her future husband, the knight Artegall. Britomart’s chastity is not defined by physical purity alone, but by the purity of intention and the sanctity of love in marriage.
Britomart’s armor is a metaphor for her chastity, protecting her from both physical and moral corruption. Throughout her journey, she encounters various trials that test her commitment to her virtuous ideal. Spenser’s exploration of chastity here is nuanced, portraying it not as a rejection of love, but as a celebration of love that is guided by virtue rather than lust.
Book IV: The Legend of Cambell and Triamond (Friendship)
Book IV focuses on the virtue of friendship, as exemplified by the knights Cambell and Triamond. Their friendship is tested through various trials, including a contest of arms. However, they come to realize that true friendship is built not on competition but on mutual respect and loyalty.
This book also explores the idea of courtly love and the tensions between personal desire and duty to friends. Spenser suggests that friendship is essential for a harmonious society, and that loyalty to one’s friends should be as important as loyalty to a sovereign or a lover.
Book V: The Legend of Artegall (Justice)
Book V shifts focus to the knight Artegall, the embodiment of justice, who is charged with delivering fair judgment while resisting the temptations of tyranny or favoritism. His companion is Talus, a metallic man who represents the unyielding nature of law.
Spenser’s depiction of justice here is closely tied to the political concerns of his time, particularly the notion of righteous governance under Queen Elizabeth I. Artegall’s quest reflects the tension between strict adherence to the law and the necessity for mercy. The challenges he faces often raise the question of how justice can be maintained in a corrupt and imperfect world.
Book VI: The Legend of Calidore (Courtesy)
The final completed book, Book VI, is devoted to Calidore, the knight of courtesy. Courtesy here is not merely about manners or politeness, but about a broader concept of grace and civility that fosters peace and social harmony.
Calidore’s adventures involve his pursuit of the Blatant Beast, a symbol of slander and discord. Spenser’s exploration of courtesy is deeply moral, emphasizing the importance of virtue in maintaining not only individual dignity but also the stability of society.
Character Analysis
Spenser populates The Faerie Queene with an array of allegorical characters, each representing different virtues, vices, and aspects of the human condition. These characters operate within both literal and symbolic realms, their actions conveying moral and philosophical meaning.
The Redcrosse Knight
As the protagonist of Book I, the Redcrosse Knight is a representation of the Christian Everyman, embodying the virtue of holiness. His journey mirrors the Christian soul’s pilgrimage toward salvation, fraught with temptation and spiritual danger. The Redcrosse Knight’s struggles with characters like Duessa (falsehood) and his eventual triumph over the dragon (sin) illustrate the difficult path toward spiritual purity and truth.
Throughout the narrative, Redcrosse is deeply flawed—he is easily deceived by Duessa and led astray. However, his ultimate redemption through Una (truth) shows that holiness is not an innate state but something that must be earned through faith, perseverance, and repentance.
Una
Una, the embodiment of truth and the Protestant Church, serves as the guiding force in the Redcrosse Knight’s journey. Her purity, wisdom, and unwavering dedication to righteousness stand in contrast to the deceit and corruption of Duessa. Una’s role in the narrative highlights the importance of faith and the necessity of adhering to religious truth, especially in an age of religious conflict between Protestantism and Catholicism.
Britomart
Britomart, the knight of chastity, stands out as one of the few female knights in Renaissance literature. Her journey is not only about preserving her chastity but also about finding her destined love, Artegall. Britomart’s chastity is tied to her honor, but it is not a restrictive or prudish chastity; rather, it is a powerful force that enables her to be a warrior and leader. Her character represents a balance between strength and virtue, suggesting that chastity, in Spenser’s conception, is compatible with both love and heroism.
Artegall
Artegall, the knight of justice, embodies the ideal of impartial, righteous judgment. His relationship with Britomart adds depth to his character, as he represents the tension between personal desires and public duty. Artegall’s partnership with Talus, a metal man who enforces justice unflinchingly, reflects the complexities of applying justice in a human, imperfect world. Artegall’s trials in Book V suggest that justice is a demanding virtue, one that requires not just strength but wisdom and mercy.
Duessa
Duessa is a personification of falsehood, deception, and Catholicism, set against Una’s truth. She represents the dangers of false appearances and the way in which vice can mask itself as virtue. Duessa’s seduction of Redcrosse in Book I is symbolic of the way false religious doctrine can lead people away from true faith. Her eventual defeat serves as a moral lesson about the necessity of discernment and the rejection of duplicity in all forms.
Themes in The Faerie Queene
Allegory and Moral Instruction
The dominant theme of The Faerie Queene is its use of allegory to provide moral instruction. Each book is structured around the quest of a knight representing a specific virtue, and the challenges they face are symbolic of moral, spiritual, and philosophical conflicts. Spenser’s purpose was not just to entertain but to educate his readers on how to lead a virtuous life.
The poem’s allegory operates on multiple levels: personal, spiritual, political, and religious. At the personal level, each knight’s journey represents the challenges faced by individuals in pursuing virtue. Spiritually, the work reflects the Christian’s journey toward salvation, while politically, it offers commentary on the nature of just rule and the responsibilities of a monarch. Religious allegory, particularly the conflict between Protestantism and Catholicism, is woven throughout the poem, as seen in the opposition between Una and Duessa.
The Virtues
The exploration of the virtues is the central moral concern of The Faerie Queene. Each book focuses on a specific virtue—holiness, temperance, chastity, friendship, justice, and courtesy—and Spenser presents these virtues not as abstract qualities but as lived experiences. The knights must earn their virtues through trials, reflecting the idea that virtue is something that must be practiced and tested.
Spenser’s conception of virtue is complex and multifaceted. For example, chastity in the figure of Britomart is not just about sexual purity but also about the sanctity of love and the moral integrity that comes with it. Similarly, temperance, as embodied by Guyon, involves not just moderation in physical desires but the mastery of one’s emotions and impulses.
The Role of Women
Although The Faerie Queene is dominated by male knights, Spenser gives significant attention to female characters, who often represent powerful moral and spiritual forces. Una, for instance, is the embodiment of religious truth, and Britomart is a warrior who represents chastity, strength, and virtue.
Through characters like Britomart and Una, Spenser challenges traditional gender roles, portraying women as not just passive figures in need of rescue but as active agents in the pursuit of virtue. Britomart, in particular, is a groundbreaking figure, a female knight whose chastity is a source of power, not weakness. Her quest to find Artegall is driven by love, but it is love that is guided by virtue, not by mere desire.
Religion and Politics
Spenser’s allegory is deeply informed by the religious and political context of Elizabethan England. The conflict between Protestantism and Catholicism, as well as the celebration of Elizabeth I’s rule, permeates the narrative. Gloriana, the Faerie Queene, is a clear symbol of Elizabeth, representing the ideals of virtuous rule and the stability of Protestant England.
The opposition between Una and Duessa represents the religious conflicts of the time, with Una symbolizing the true Protestant faith and Duessa the deceptive allure of Catholicism. Spenser’s allegory serves not just as a moral lesson but also as a commentary on the political and religious struggles of his age.
Conclusion
Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queene is a monumental achievement in English literature, blending allegory, epic narrative, and moral instruction into a complex and richly layered work. Through its symbolic characters, intricate themes, and deep moral questions, the poem explores the virtues that guide human behavior and the challenges that come with living a righteous life.
At its heart, The Faerie Queene is about the constant struggle between good and evil, virtue and vice, truth and falsehood. Spenser’s work remains a timeless exploration of these universal themes, offering readers not only a reflection on the human condition but also a guide to living a life of virtue and integrity. Though incomplete, its lasting impact on English literature is undeniable, cementing its place as a work of both literary and moral significance.
