The Faerie Queene : Key info
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.
Key info
Full Title: The Faerie Queene
Author: Edmund Spenser (c.1552–1599)
Title of the Author: Poet of Poets
Source: Classical epics (Homer and Virgil), Arthurian legends, medieval romance, Christian morality, Italian epics (Ariosto’s Orlando Furioso)
Written Time: Between 1587 and 1596
Published Date: 1590 (Books I–III), 1596 (Books IV–VI)
Genre: Epic Poem, Allegorical Fantasy
Point of View: Third-Person Omniscient with occasional First-Person Commentary
- Setting:
Time Setting: A timeless, mythical era modeled after medieval chivalry and Christian values
Place Setting: Faerie Land, an imaginary, symbolic landscape.
Key Notes
Epic Poem: An epic poem is a long story in verse. It tells the brave acts of a hero. The hero fights for truth or faith. It has many significant events and strong emotions. The story is told in a high and serious style. The poem often starts with a prayer to a Muse. It follows the hero’s long journey. Famous epics are “The Iliad,” “The Odyssey,” and “The Faerie Queene.” Epic poems teach values like truth, honor, and courage.
Spenserian Stanza: The Spenserian stanza has nine lines in each stanza. The first eight lines have ten syllables each. The last line has twelve syllables. It has a fixed rhyme pattern: ababbcbcc. Edmund Spenser made it for “The Faerie Queene.” It gives the poem a slow and rich sound. The last line provides a strong end to the stanza. Many later poets also used this form. It is a special part of the English poetry style.
Background of the Poem: The Faerie Queene was written for Queen Elizabeth I. She ruled England as a strong Protestant queen. Before her, England was a Catholic country. King Henry VIII broke from the Pope and made England a Protestant nation. After him, there was much fighting. A Protestant, Lady Jane Grey, ruled for nine days. Then Queen Mary, a Catholic, ascended to the throne. She was called “Bloody Mary” by some. Later, Elizabeth became queen and restored England to Protestantism. There was still fighting, especially in Ireland. Edmund Spenser also fought there for Queen Elizabeth. This history helps us understand the meaning and message of the poem.