Faith Field

Professor Geoffrey Emerson

EN-215-003

14 February 2024

Biography –

            Edmund Spenser was thought to be born in 1552 in London to middle-class parents. Still, he received an excellent education and began his career as a secretary. During this time, he published The Shepheardes Calender which was disliked by readers at the time because of the author’s use of archaic language similar to that of Chaucer’s literary work. Later in his life, Spenser lived in Ireland and was an advocate in favor of colonialism. He published pieces such as A View of the Present State of Ireland in which he described the horrific policies of English colonialism in Ireland. Upon returning to England, Spenser published The Faerie Queene, characterized by unique language usage and a distinctive metrical scheme. In 1599, Spenser died in Westminster. Edmund Spenser was extremely reformative in the world of English literature; his Protestantism and the Puritanism of people at the time influenced his work, which is considered some of the most significant of Queen Elizabeth I’s reign.

Summary –

            The first book of The Faerie Queene, canto one tells the tale of the Knight of the Red Crosse, called Holinesse. The knight has been sent on a mission by Gloriana, Queen of Faerie Land, to slay a dragon. The knight is accompanied by a lady, Una, and a dwarf. On their journey, the group lose their path and come across a cave. Una cautions the knight of a dangerous creature within, but he ignores her warning. The group enters the cave and the knight slays the creature, Errour, along with some help from a blinding light, and her blood spews. The creature’s offspring drink their mother’s blood and the children soon implode. Later on in the group’s journey, a man offers the travelers shelter. The man is secretly a sorcerer and sends some sprites to cause mischief. One sprite is disguised as Una and offers the knight a kiss; the knight is so enraged at her offer that he wishes to kill the lady. After denying Una’s advances, the knight awakes from his slumber and leaves his partners in adventure behind.

Analysis –

One of the most unique elements of Spencer’s The Faerie Queene is the archaic language used. This choice is heavily inspired by Geoffrey Chaucer, author of works such as The Canterbury Tales. Both works by Spenser and Chaucer contain complex language that serves as a helpful tool in both physical and emotional descriptions of characters. Spenser made an ambitious decision to utilize antiquated language, though he received much negative feedback from readers at the time. However, from a modern perspective, readers can appreciate the sophisticated language in the epic. The language engages readers and encourages them to make observations regarding symbolism. For example, much of the beginning of the story is dedicated to the description of the lady the knight travels with, Una. In this description, much white imagery is related. This helps the reader comprehend Una’s character without directly explaining the lady’s innocent and pure nature. While careful attention must be taken when reading Spenser’s work, a thorough analysis of word choice yields valuable insight into the characters’ personalities and motivations.

Towards the beginning of canto one of the first book, the knight seems challenged by Una’s warning not to enter the cave, promptly ignoring the lady to face the danger within. While it may appear as if the knight is offended by her caution, the knight would have made the decision to enter the cave regardless of whether or not Una would speak up about the danger. The knight has a desire to act with bravery and chivalry, as this mission from Gloriana is the opportunity to prove he is an important figure. To be gallant in this time is to take action even when unnecessary, as an honorable man will never back down from any task. The knight’s own desire to succeed in his mission is the sole reason he enters the cave. This important detail paints a picture of who the knight is: a man desperate to prove himself no matter the cost. The danger the knight faces inside the cave also has an important meaning.

Upon entering the cave, much symbolism can be observed. Once the knight attacks the creature within the cave, named Errour, a bright light blinds the creature, allowing the knight to deliver a fatal blow to her. Errour loathes the light; this represents how evil forces despise being exposed to the truth. The light, representative of truth, can destroy evil and misdirection. Another important detail is Errour’s children dying after drinking her blood. This can appear as followers of evil facing the negative effects of their allegiance. Spenser made sure to inform readers that The Faerie Queene is an allegory; perhaps the heavy symbolism in this epic reflects the political landscape that which Spenser was so involved. Spenser was known to be an avid colonialist who supported the brutal strategies of England to occupy Ireland. One possible interpretation of Errour and her offspring is individuals who resisted English rule working together. Those in favor of colonialism would have discouraged uprising; Spenser may have written this detail into his epic to intimidate those displeased with English rule in Ireland. Spenser might have used the symbol of Errour as a fear tactic to deter the Irish from meeting the same violent fate as others who rebelled against the English. Regardless of Spenser’s exact meaning behind Errour and her children, this detail in the epic is most definitely of significance.

Another interesting detail regarding the character of the knight is his reaction to the sprite pretending to be Una offering him a kiss. Readers need to examine the significance behind his desire to slay the lady for offering herself to him. Much description is dedicated to Una’s purity and innocence early in the epic. A possible reason for the knight’s rage could be society’s value of a woman’s innocent nature; the knight was not willing to compromise Una’s virtue and he was angry that she was offering him a kiss without reluctance. However, another reason for the knight’s desire to commit violence could be his own desire to succeed. Much discussion in this class has been centered around the idea that in early English literature, women are portrayed as evil and negative influences. For example, in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Gawain claims that a woman tricked him and was the reason that he compromised his values as a knight. The Knight of the Red Crosse may have a similar mindset. It has already been observed that the knight cares a great deal about his success in his first mission; the knight is angry that Una attempted to distract him from the task at hand. The knight’s desire to succeed is the reason he denies Una and continues on his quest without her to distract him.

Throughout Spenser’s The Faerie Queene, unique language choices give readers important details about characters. Symbolism gives readers insight into the horrific results of English colonialism. In addition, the Knight of the Red Crosse’s motivations are explored in this revolutionary poem. Though Spenser’s writing was not favored at the time of its publication, this epic allows for interesting analysis and therefore, is of importance in the literary world.

Works Cited

Greenblatt, Stephen. The Norton Anthology of English Literature: Core Selections. Available from: University of Alabama, (10th Edition). W. W. Norton, 2021.