“The Faerie Queene” as an Allegory
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
Show how different allegories are blended in “The Faerie Queene” Book-I.
Or, Discuss “The Faerie Queene” as an allegory.
“The Faerie Queene” (Books I-III were first published in 1590), written by Edmund Spenser (1552/53-1599), is a tremendous work of English literature. This epic poem serves as a rich tapestry of allegorical content. Book 1, often titled “The Legend of the Knight of the Red Crosse, or Holiness,” is well-known for its allegorical depth.
Allegory: An allegory is a narrative writing that gives an abstract or important message. In an allegory, characters and events in the story have symbolic meanings. “The Faerie Queene” narrates the adventures of the Redcrosse Knight. He represents the virtue of holiness. Different allegories are blended in their journey. They symbolize human life, religious faith, and the struggle between good and evil.
Allegory in Characters: All the characters in The Faerie Queene have allegorical significance since they represent abstract ideas.
The Faerie Queene: The title character, Faerie Queene Gloriana, is meant to represent Queen Elizabeth 1. The Queen appoints the Redcrosse Knight to assist Lady Una in saving her parents from the grasp of a Dragon. The Redcrosse Knight is the embodiment of virtue, holiness, and bravery. Lady Una stands for truth, faith, goodness, and wisdom. The narrator describes Lady Una’s purity in the following manner.
So pure an innocent, as that same lambe,
She was in life and every vertuous lore,
Lady Una is also the representation of the Protestant Church. Her purity and faithfulness guide the Redcrosse Knight. This symbolizes how truth and faith are essential for achieving holiness. Una’s parents symbolize humanity held by Evil. Evil represents the foul Dragon.
Encounter with Monster Error: The Monster Error is a monstrous creature that the Red Cross Knight encounters in a dark cave. It is depicted as a terrifying creature with a woman’s face and the body of a serpent.
Halfe like a serpent horribly displaide,
But th’other halfe did womans shape retaine,
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