“The Faerie Queene” as a Romantic Epic
The Faerie Queene is a notable literary work by Edmund Spenser. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of The Faerie Queene.
Answer
“The Faerie Queene, Book 1” is blended with epic and romantic qualities. Discuss. [NU. 2020, 2017]
Or, Write a note on “The Faerie Queene” as a romantic epic.
Edmund Spenser’s (1552/53-1599) “The Faerie Queene, Book I” (1590) tells the story of the heroic adventure of the Red Cross Knight and Lady Una, who are going to save Una’s kingdom from a terrible dragon. This Book is special because it mixes two styles: epic and romantic. Here, Spenser uses the heroic adventure and serious tone of an epic. He also uses the knightly love and chivalry of a medieval romance. This blend makes it a wonderful romantic epic.
Invocation: First of all, Spenser begins “The Faerie Queene” with an invocation to the muses, like many great epics. He requests help from the muse Clio to write about the great deeds of knights and ladies. He writes:
“O helpe thou my weake wit, and sharpen my dull tong.”
Spenser also pays tribute to Venus, the goddess of love, and her son Cupid, as his poem also deals with love and chivalry. Lastly, he praises Queen Elizabeth for her role in national life.
Heroic Adventure: “The Faerie Queene, Book I” has many epic qualities, including a heroic figure and grand adventure. The Red Cross Knight is the brave hero of Book I. He is full of courage and strength. He wears a red cross on his chest, which is a reminder of his dear lord, Jesus Christ.
“But on his brest a bloudie Crosse he bore”
The knight is traveling with the heroine, Lady Una. His mission is to defeat a terrible dragon that has been ravaging the kingdom of Una’s parents. This is the knight’s heroic adventure, to fight against evil and save people. This heroic quest is an important feature of the epic.
Knighly Love and Lady: Spenser blends the knight’s heroic adventure with medieval romance. In this type of romance,Unlock this study guide now