The faerie queene book 1 holiness summary and analysis. A guide to textanalysis computing tools, version 2. Much of the poets imagery comes from a passage in the book of revelation, which describes the whore of babylon many protestant readers took this biblical passage to indicate the catholic church. Vpon a great aduenture he was bond, that greatest gloriana to him gaue, that greatest glorious queene of faerie. Summary of the faerie queene montclair state university. A brief introduction to and a summary of book i of the faerie queene is now posted. While belphoebe is an embodiment of elizabeths famed chastity see belphoebe for more on that, the faerie queene is an embodiment.
This study guide consists of approximately 147 pages of chapter summaries. Dedicated to queen elizabeth herself represented by the title character the work was envisioned by spenser as encompassing twelve books, each one detailing a quest by some knight of king arthurs court on behalf of gloriana, the faerie queene. In the faerie queene, then, spenser is creating an epicscale, alternatehistory prequel to the arthurian romances we already know. In spensers a letter of the authors, he states that the entire epic. Gloriana, belphoebe, britomart, caelia, and lucifera, spenser attempts to. The faerie queene book 1 canto 1 summary and analysis. The faerie queene is the western worlds longest poem from this period, an action epic, and a renaissance version of the chivalric romance. The faerie queene, also known as gloriana, is the queen of faery land and the titular character. That greatest gloriana to him gave, that greatest glorious queene of faerie lond, to winne him worship, and her grace to have, which of all earthly things he most did crave. Lay forth out of thine euerlasting scryne the antique rolles, which there lye hidden still, of faerie knights and fairest tanaquill, whom that most noble briton prince so long sought through the world, and suffered so much ill, that i must rue his vndeserued wrong. The faerie queene is a romantic epic, the first sustained poetic work since geoffrey chaucer. In this weeks really like this book podcast scripts catchup, im in the english renaissance, pricking across the plain with the redcrosse knight, in edmund spensers the faerie queene. It was not an easy journey, as they need to get through many tough opponents on their ways. The faerie queene is, therefore, according to the avowed purpose of its author, a poem of culture.
He is the ideal consort for gloriana, the faerie queene. Edmund spenser, the faerie queene 1596, volume 1, introduction by graham hough london. Redcrosse and una go through a series of adventures and encounter a. She appears in the guise of gloriana, the faerie queen, but also in books iii and iv as the virgin belphoebe, daughter of chrysogonee and twin to. Largely selfcontained, book i can be understood to be its own miniature epic. It is an allegorical work, written in praise of queen elizabeth i. Full text of spensers the faerie queene, book i see other formats. The faerie queene by edmund spenser, free ebook global grey. Down below is a summary of the faerie queen, an allegorical epic written by the sixteenthcentury poet edmund spenser. Eunomie is an assistant to mercilla in book 5, canto 9. Spenser originally intended the poem to be a series of twelve books, each devoted to one of twelve moral virtues as exemplified by the characters of twelve knights.
So, she, redcrosse, and her dwarfassistant all head out to her home. Guyon, the knight of temperance, the hero of book two. Redcrosse knight rck, representative of holiness, has been commissioned by gloriana, queen of fairy land, to accompany una to the kingdom of her parents and deliver them from the dragon that is scourging their land. Faerie queene also known as gloriana though she never appears in the poem, the faerie queene is the focus of the poem. In its present form, the faerie queene consists of six books and a fragment known as the mutabilitie cantos. The faerie queene, by edmund spenser freebooksummary. I made this summary in 1992 when i was writing my dissertation. Electronic text from ian lancashire, in collaboration with john bradley, willard mccarty, michael stairs, and t. The faerie queene study guide contains a biography of edmund spenser, literature. Literal level synopsis of book i of the faerie queene. Redcrosse knight, the redcrosse knight is the hero of book 1.
The physical and moral wanderings of the redcrosse knight dramatize his effort. In a completely allegorical context, the poem follows several knights in an examination of several virtues. Though it is one of the most highly artistic works in the language, it is at the same time one of the most didactic. The redcrosse knight and his lady una travel together as he fights the monster. Chapter summary for edmund spensers the faerie queene, book 1 cantos 1 3 summary. Iso88591 start of the project gutenberg ebook spensers the faerie queene, book i etext prepared by charles franks, keith edkins, and the project gutenberg online distributed. The project gutenberg ebook of spensers the faerie queene. A discussion of this layer of the allegory for the work in its entirety would be a book in and of itself, so, for the purposes of. He has been given a task by gloriana, that greatest glorious queen of faerie lond, to fight a terrible dragon i. The faerie queene is an english epic poem by edmund spenser. The faerie queene by edmund spenser book 1, canto 1 summary and analysis. While belphoebe is an embodiment of elizabeths famed chastity see belphoebe for more on that, the faerie queene is an embodiment of elizabeths sovereigntyher queenly power. Newly knighted and ready to prove his stuff, redcrosse, the hero of this book, is embarking on his first adventure.
King arthur already had a place in the mythic consciousness of britons, and legends had accumulated around his name, including one that he would one day return from his long, healing sleep to lead britain into a new golden age. The faerie queen, book 1 canto 1 flashcards quizlet. After falling in love with gloriana, the faerie queene, he seeks her all over. Edmund spenser was a subject of queen elizabeth, the first of that name, and she was a very. Spenser saw himself as a medievalist, but cognizant of his audience, he uses the modern pronunciation of. The faerie queene was the product of certain definite conditions which existed in england toward the close of the sixteenth century. He is the knight of magnificence, the perfection of all virtues.
Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of the faerie queene and what it means. Unas name, which means oneness, is deceptively simplekind of like her. She is meek, humble, and beautiful, but strong when it is necessary. The first half was published in 1590, and a second installment was published in 1596. This html etext of the faerie queene was prepared from the complete works in verse and prose of edmund spenser grosart, london, 1882 by risa s. The faerie queene, however, also has many sources outside of the bible. Book 1, canto 1 of the faerie queen poetry archive. Edmund spenser the faerie queene and last years britannica. And ever as he rode, his hart did earne to prove his puissance in battell brave upon his foe, and his new force to learne. Lo i the man, whose muse whilome did maske, as time her taught in lowly shepheards weeds, am now enforst a far unfitter taske, for trumpets sterne to chaunge mine oaten reeds, and sing of knights and ladies gentle deeds.
He was born into the family of an obscure cloth maker named john spenser, who belonged to the merchant taylors company and was married to a woman named elizabeth, about whom almost. Copeland, released online by librivox in january 2014. Gloriana, the faerie queene, is holding her annual twelveday feast. Since the faerie queen is one of the longest poems in the english language, a summary is useful for anyone who is working on it. This letter serves as an admirable introduction to the poem, and should be read attentively by the student. In this work, spenser uses the archaic language of chaucer as a way to pay homage to the medieval poet. She represents the glory of queen elizabeth is reign in england. Spenser wrote a long letter to sir walter raleigh explaining what he meant with the poem, which is one of the easier ways to get to grips with it before reading. The faerie queene book 1 cantos 1 3 summary course hero. Redcrosses future wife, and the other major protagonist in book i. Each of the six books is dedicated to a specific virtue.
Edmund spenser is considered one of the preeminent poets of the english language. Before he finds his way to irenas island kingdom, however, he attends the wedding of marinell. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The faerie queene makes it clear that no single virtue is greater than the rest. This is the biggest and most elaborate courtly flattery ever written, and its not even complete. In the faerie queene, spenser presents an eloquent and captivating representation of the roman catholic church, her hierarchy, and patrons as the malevolent forces pitted against england in her exploits as epic hero. According to book i, canto 4, lines 23 of the faerie queene, gloriana is a. Gloriana gloriana, the faerie queene, an idealized portrait of queen elizabeth. Check back frequently for summaries of the rest of edmund spensers epic romance, as well as a complete character list. Although she does not appear in the extant portion of the poem, many of the knights set out on their quests from her.
Finally, he asks the great lady of the greatest isle, the faerie queene gloriana, to look on him with favor. Glauce, an elderly woman who serves as britomarts squire. The faerie queene, by edmund spenser kate macdonald. The first of these national conditions was the movement known as the revival of chivalry.
The faerie queene as a representation of elizabeth i sspace. Framed in spensers distinctive, opulent stanza and in some of the trappings of epic, book one of spensers the faerie queene consists of a chivalric romance that has been made to a typical recipefierce warres and faithfull lovesbut that has been christianized in both overt and subtle ways. Books i to iii were first published in, and then republished in together with books iv to vi. The faerie queene is an incomplete english epic poem by edmund spenser. Redcrosse the redcrosse knight is the hero of book i. If you are desperately seeking a modernspelling edition of the faerie queene, i dont think youll do better than this one. As is the custom, anyone in trouble can appear before the court and ask for a champion. Another aid for those making their first inroads into the poem. The faerie queene unsourcedbook icanto i wikisource. Therefore then, gloriana sent redcrosse to aid una. The faerie queene or gloriana or tanaquill in the faerie. Spenser is best known for his immense epic poem the faerie queene. Like other poets, spenser must have modified his general plan many.
Read spensers the faerie queene book i by edmund spenser. Una, whose castle is besieged by a dragon, stands for the purity of the one true. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. O helpe thou my weake wit, and sharpen my dull tong. He is the leader of the knights of maidenhead and carries the image of gloriana on his shield. According to spensers introductory letter in the first edition 1590 of his great poem, it was to contain 12 books, each telling the adventure of one of gloriana s knights. Find a summary of this and each chapter of the faerie queene.
She is reunited with marinell at the end of book iv, and is married to him in book v. A romantic epic the faerie queene is the most perfect type which we have in english of the purely romantic poem. The faerie queene, book 1, canto 1 1596 representative. Edmund spensers the faerie queene is a sixteenthcentury english epic poem. The faerie queene is also one of the most straightforward representations of queen elizabeth i in the poem, being a queen and all that. She represents queen elizabeth, among others, as discussed in the commentary. The faerie queene or gloriana or tanaquill in the faerie queene. A summary of book ii of the arcadia has been posted. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of the faerie queene by edmund spenser. A summary of book i of the arcadia has been posted, as has a complete list of characters.
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