About... Edmund Spencer is a clever writer who uses several different techniques to get his story across in The Faerie Queene. One thing that he does regarding the use of language is he reverts it back to the medieval times. One thing that captures the attention of viewers with the hyperlinked video is that Spencer allows his readers to, “Love what’s lovely and hate what’s loathsome.” He leaves the reader to fill in the subtext, which is something that many readers enjoy.
The Faerie Queene is a national epic; therefore, Spencer incorporates all seven characteristics/writing techniques of an epic poem. Essentially it’s a long narrative poem, starting in the middle, that focuses on a hero (Red Cross Knight), where he must go on many quests – the dragon, Error, the Magician, Sans Foy and Joy, and of course Duessa. The epic also must contain a vast setting and a decent into the underworld, which we definitely become witness to on the path most travelled by. Additionally, during these quests he [Red Cross Knight] must show supernatural features of strength and he does so by strangling the dragon Errour and especially in terms of his faith (when he has faith and God he is at his strongest). Finally, there must also be a question of the fate of a nation. Spencer also uses a form of symbolism in his writing. When Spencer initially writes this poem, it is during the time of the Reformation. One of the primary themes is going to be religion and the “one true faith”. In this case, the Protestants are breaking away from the Catholic Church, which becomes interesting when we look at the characters Spencer creates, specifically Una and Duessa. Una symbolizes the correct faith, Protestantism and Duessa symbolizes Catholicism, or the wrong faith. Not only does Spencer use the Epic writing techniques and symbolism, but he also includes a very important allegory in the first Canto that we, as readers, need to pay attention to. When Red Cross Knight takes the wrong path, they come up against the Dragon, literally named Errour. Even after he barely defeats Errour he continues down the same path, “That path he kept which beaten was most plaine, / Ne ever would to any by-way bend, / But still did follow one unto the end” (The Fareie Queene, Canto IThe moral here is the fact that it’s difficult to make the right choice and easy to make the wrong, but when a person stays true to faith it will lead correctly. As stated before Spencer’s writing is deep allowing readers to engage with it and study it. So The Faerie Queene begins with four stanzas and then from there on is broken down into longer cantos, which refer to songs. Stanza one holds significance as it invokes a greater power the “Muse”. It also represents the stanza in which readers realize that there is a transition from a pastoral poem to a romance poem, “As time her taught, in lowly shepherds weeds… And sing of Knights and Ladies gentle deeds.” The second stanza offers readers a take on false humility as he calls upon the “holy virgin”. Also, Tanaquill is a reference to Queen Elizabeth here. The third stanza he calls upon cupid “Venice Sonne” whom represents love and physical passion, which becomes very important throughout the Epic itself. Finally, in the fourth stanza he calls upon Queen Elizabeth to listen. Canto I: In the first canto readers really get to know the Red Cross Knight. Truly think about his faith and whether or not we think he is faithful when we first meet him. Think about the armour he wore, “Wherein old dints of deepe wounds did remaine, / The cruel markes of many a bloydy fielde, / Yet arms till that time did he never wield” and what that says about his character (The Faerie Queene, Canto I, lines 3-5). Has he truly ever been tested before? What about his faith? How does this set us up for the rest of the poem? In the fourth and fifth stanza we meet another character, Una, “So pure and innocent…” remember she is symbolizing the Protestant faith (The Faerie Queene, Canto I, Line 37). After becoming distracted by nature, they soon lose there way and doubt which way to go so they choose the path most beaten down and travelled, “That path they take, that beaten seemed most bare” (The Faerie Queene, Canto I, Line 93). Then on this path they meet the dragon Errour, who is described as half woman and half snake (representing evil). How does Redcrosse Knight’s pride play a roll in fighting Errour? They then meet the magician and Duessa, who seem to be like very nice people. Think about the knight’s unchaste habits going into the second canto. Canto II: Are people, as they seem? Ultimately the magician plants a seed of doubt through an illusion in Redcrosse’s mind about Una being unchaste in this canto, “He started up, as seeming to mistrust” (The Faerie Queene, Canto II, Line 435). Going into the second canto, one of the main themes is the transition from Protestantism to Catholicism. Una is the one true faith and he has now doubted her and went with Duessa who represents Catholicism, “The guileful great enchaunter parts the Redcrosse Knight from truth” (The Faerie Queene, Canto II). This essentially means that he will be easily lead into error when tempted. Again, think about good versus evil. Canto IV: In this canto, the main question to ponder is the decisions Redcrosse Knight is making. Are they good or evil? What is spencer trying to say about the two faiths, Protestant and Catholicism? This canto allows readers to become witness to the parade of the seven deadly sins: Pride who is queen, Gluttony, Sloth, Lust, Greed, Envy, and Wrath (The Faerie Queene, Canto IV, Lines 140-324). How do these sins relate to the animals they ride? Additionally, think about why they have arrived here and where they could be if it were not for the doubt in Canto I. Canto V: This is the canto in which readers realize Duessa has led him into the underworld. What does this say about Catholicism? His big mistake is most definitely following Duessa and forgetting about Una, but what about his other actions, what do they say about his faith? To refer back to the beginning of this canto, Redcrosse Knight literally cannot decipher between good and evil, “So the one for wrong, the other strives for right, / And each to deadly shame would drive his foe / The cruell steele so greedily doth bight / In tender flesh that streames of bloud down flow” both are bathed in blood making it indistinct (The Faerie Queene, Canto V, Lines 73-76). Then goes the decent where we receive the Greek references, why reference individual punishment? Also, Spencer draws attention to the Greek gods because they are familiar to the specified audience at that time; he wanted to draw in some relationship from the older times. Other Background Notes & the Second Half: Edmund Spenser is the author of this version of The Faerie Queene. He wrote as a secretary and published The Shepheardes Calendar when he was young before he married his first wife Machabyas Childe and they had two children. He then went to war and became a sort of hero. In 1590, Spenser revealed the first part of his most popular writing, The Faerie Queen. His wife died and he remarried to Elizabeth Boyle and they had one more child. He wrote a famous sonnet, Amoretti which means “little cupid”, for her. This work was closely followed by Epithalamion. He didn’t just write about fiction and things that weren’t of significance, he wrote about things that would make a statement and make a change in the world that he lived in. Think about this while you read The Faerie Queene as it will open your mind to things you wouldn’t normally see. When you read this half of the story, I would suggest thinking about when the Red Cross knight is snuck up on by the giant. What is he doing that is not knightly at this moment? This part of the story begins in stanza 13 of canto 7. In canto 8 stanza 6, Duessa comes our riding on a best with 7 heads. What do these seven heads represent and how is the representation seen in other parts of the story? As the sins are represented throughout this book, maybe think about who the people who cleanse the Red Cross knight are in canto 10 and what they represent within the church based off of their names. What significance do they have? In the end of the book, why do you think that the Red Cross knight has to leave? To make up for his sins or to try and prevent new ones? Study GuideThere's a study guide for The Faerie Queene due. See CSC Online to access it.
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