What Do you Know About the Red Cross Knight?
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, to various questions of The Faerie Queene.
Answer
What do you know about the Red Cross Knight? Or Give your impression of the Red Cross Knight.
The Red Cross Knight is the protagonist of the Book I of Edmund Spenser’s (1552-1599) epic poem “The Faerie Queene” (1590). The Knight embodies the virtue of holiness and represents the Christian knight in his spiritual journey.
The poem starts with the journey of the Red Cross Knight and Lady Una. They are travelling far, far away to save the parents of Una from a Dragon. In Book I, the Knight fights a fierce battle against the Monster Error. The fight between the Redcrosse Knight with the monster Error is the fight between good and evil. The fight is the conflict between the Anglican Church and the Roman Catholic Church.
Heroic, Noble, and Holiness: The Red Cross Knight is depicted as a heroic and noble figure. The Knight takes the noble task of saving Una’s parents without any hesitation. He is also the symbol of holiness. He believes in the true Christian faith. The Red Cross, the symbol of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, is inscribed on his armor and shield.
But on his brest a bloudie Crosse he bore,
The deare remembrance of his dying Lord,
Companionship and Guidance: The character Una, who represents Truth and the One True Faith, is his companion and guide. Her presence is crucial to the knight’s journey, as she helps him stay on the righteous path. It highlights the importance of spiritual guidance in one’s quest for holiness.
Spiritual Growth: Throughout the book, the Red Cross Knight undergoes significant personal development. His encounters with evil, such as the monster Error, the sorcerer Archimago, and the deceitful Duessa, test his faith and resolve. These encounters ultimately contribute to his spiritual growth and understanding. His victory signifies the triumph of good over evil and attaining spiritual purity.
Allegorical Representation: The Red Cross Knight is an allegory for St. George, the patron saint of England. He symbolizes the struggle of the human soul against sin.
In conclusion, the Red Cross Knight is a richly allegorical figure whose journey reflects the Christian path to righteousness. His character is a blend of chivalric heroism and guardian of the Sacred Path.