Redcrosse

The knight of Holiness, who is in fact a "tall clownishe yonge man" who alone would take the quest to
free Una's parents from the dragon. His adventures represent the individual Christian's struggles to
maintain personal holiness while avoiding pride in all its forms.

Una

Una is the Truth--both the absolute spiritual truth and what Spenser considered to be the true faith of
the Protestant Christian Church. Her encouragement and help keeps Redcrosse knight from doom and
helps to build him into a mighty warrior capable of defeating the dragon that has imprisoned her
parents.

Archimago

A sorcerer and deceiver, Archimago seeks to overcome Una through false appearances and lies. He
causes Redcrosse to doubt Una's fidelity, disguises himself as Redcrosse in an attempt to take Una, and
even attempts to stop Redcrosse's betrothal to Una by insisting that Duessa has a prior claim on him.
Each time his deception is uncovered, rendering him powerless.

Duessa

Duessa is "duplicity," the opposite of Una ("Truth"). She is first seen as paramour to the evil knight
Sansfoy ("Faithlessness") and lies about her identity to Redcrosse in an attempt to seduce him. She
eventually succeeds in winning Redcrosse's favor and dragging him into Orgoglio's dungeon, but her
efforts are undone by the intervention of Una and Prince Arthur.

Duessa appears later in the epic as part of the negative tetrad of Blandamour, Paridell, Ate and herself.
She is put on trial and executed in Book 5.

Orgoglio

A bestial giant whose name means "pride" in Italilan, Orgoglio defeats Redcrosse knight when Duessa
weakens the champion. Orgoglio is in turn defeated by the virtuous Prince Arthur, who dismembers him.
Orgoglio's torso deflates once he is defeated, suggesting his great size resulted from being "puffed up"
like a balloon full of air.
Prince Arthur

The ultimate hero of the epic, Prince Arthur is the younger version of King Arthur. King Arthur already
had a place in the mythic consciousness of Britons, and legends had accumulated around his name,
including one that he would one day return from his long, healing sleep to lead Britain into a new
Golden Age. He is the ideal consort for Gloriana, the Faerie Queene.

Guyon

Guyon is the knight of Temperance (self-control), although his role carries with it a touch of irony. Guyon
above all other knights struggles the most with his symbolic virtue; more than once he comes near to
killing an opponent in rage, and once he even threatened Britomart's old nurse with violence.
Nonetheless, Guyon is successful in his quest to destroy Acrasia's Bower of Bliss.

Britomart

Britomart is the knight of Chastity. Her secret identity as a female knight makes her stand out from
among her male peers, as does her amazing prowess in battle (she aids Redcrosse against his enemies,
unhorses Guyon, and defeats Artegall in their first encounter). Her femininity makes her immune to the
temptations the male knights face from sultry witches and immoderate damsels, making her the ideal of
Chastity. She is in love with Artegall, whom she first saw in Merlin's magic mirror, and her quest is to find
and wed him.

Cambell

Cambell is half of the duo (completed by Triamond) which represents Friendship. As Friendship requires
a relationship with another, this virtue is symbolized by a good friend to another knight, rather than just
by a single knight on a quest. Cambell forms part of the postiive tetrad made up of himself, Triamond,
his sister (and Triamond's beloved) Canacee, and his own beloved (and Triamond's sister) Cambia.

Artegall

Artegall is the knight of Justice. His name means "like Arthur," thus identifying him with the ultimate
knight in the epic, Prince Arthur. Like Arthur, he falls in love with a chaste and powerful woman
(Britomart) and is an agent of Justice. On his quest to free the lady Eirene, Artegall is given an unusual
squire: Talus, the man made of iron. Talus represents cold, unrelenting justice, while Artegall must learn
how to properly temper justice with mercy.
Calidore

Calidore is the knight of Courtesy. His quest is to find and stop the Blatant Beast (or Slander). He
represents proper behavior in public, particularly in "civilized" society; thus, his quest to stop Slander
carries with it the message that a properly behaved people will refrain from giving slander freedom to
work its evil among them.

Florimell

Florimell is the most beautiful woman in the epic (at least outwardly). She is more flighty and less
independent than either Britomart or Belphoebe, and spends much of the epic running away from
someone or something. She represents the fleeting nature of beauty, and the reactions of other knights,
both virtuous and base, shows how easily men's heads can be turned by a pretty face

The Faerie Queene Summary

Book 1

Newly knighted and ready to prove his stuff, Redcrosse, the hero of this book, is embarking on his first
adventure: to help a princess named Una get rid of a pesky dragon that is totally bothering her parents
and kingdom. So, she, Redcrosse, and her dwarf-assistant all head out to her home.

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But before they get very far, they get lost in a forest and wander into the cave of a monster named Error
who Redcrosse—just barely—defeats. After this riveting beginning, they soon come across a man they
think is an old hermit, but turns out to actually be a powerful and sneaky magician named Archimago.

Not suspecting his malicious motives, the group goes back to his house with him for some much needed
R & R. But sadly, that's the last thing they get… since Archimago uses his magic to construct a false
version of Una, one who makes some uncomfortable sexual advances toward Redcrosse that provoke
him to pack up and leave without her.

The real Una, meanwhile, wakes up stunned and hurt to find her knight Redcrosse gone.

As Redcrosse makes his way, he comes upon a knight named Sans Foy with a lady. Redcrosse kills Sans
Foy and takes up with the lady, not realizing she's a crafty witch named Duessa. The two of them stop by
some trees for a rest, but quickly discover that these trees are actually people—most notably a guy
named Fraudubio—who have been transformed by a curse performed by that same Duessa (but no one
except Duessa makes this connection).

Meanwhile, poor Una is wandering alone looking for Redcrosse and she looks so pure and sad that a lion
joins up with her to be her protector. Aww. She and the lion spend an uncomfortable evening in the
house of two wicked women and a thief (who the lion kills) and then run into Archimago disguised as
Redcrosse.

However, before much happens, they are interrupted by Sans Loy—the brother of Sans Foy—who's
seeking vengeance for the death of his brother. Archimago manages to elude him, but he snatches Una
away.

Back to Redcrosse. He and Duessa arrive at a luxurious spot called the House of Pride and meet its
mistress, Lucifera, who puts on a pretty disturbing performance involving the Seven Deadly Sins. Lucifera
then puts on a tournament, and Redcrosse fights Sans Joy (you guessed it, the other brother of Sans Foy)
and almost kills him until Duessa protects him (it turns out they have a bit of thing going on the side) by
taking him to be healed in the house of Night. When she returns, she finds Redcrosse has left.

Una, in the meantime, is rescued from the clutches of Sans Loy by some friendly satyrs and soon comes
across the knight Satyrane who helps Una look for Redcrosse. They find Archimago, who lies and tells
them that Redcrosse is dead, which devastates Una. As she grieves, a very unhappy Sans Loy catches up
with them and fights with Satyrane.

Duessa, who's been looking all over for Redcrosse, finally finds him and the two share a very intimate
moment. This moment is followed by the attack of the giant Orgoglio, who defeats Redcrosse because
Redcrosse is depleted from his intimate encounter. Orgoglio throws Redcrosse into prison and starts
dating Duessa.

Now Una hears that Redcrosse isn't dead but thrown into prison and very fortunately runs into Arthur,
who agrees to help her rescue him. They head off to the castle of Orgoglio where Arthur fights him,
wins, and frees Redcrosse (who's feeling pretty bummed). Arthur then captures Duessa and reveals her
for who she really is. Arthur then tells Redcrosse and Una a little bit about himself and his love for
Gloriana, and then heads off on his own way.

Redcrosse hasn't recovered from his ordeal yet and is lead by another despairing knight, Trevison, to the
cave of Despair where Redcrosse is almost talked into committing suicide. But Una saves him in the nick
of time. Realizing that Redcrosse needs some serious help, Una takes him to the House of Holiness,
where Redcrosse recovers and learns about true religious belief.

Rejuvenated, Redcrosse and Una finally arrive at Una's kingdom and Redcrosse fights the dragon. The
dragon almost kills Redcrosse twice, but each time Redcrosse manages to rally. Victorious, Redcrosse
slays the dragon.

In celebration, Una and Redcrosse are engaged, but the festivities are interrupted by a message from
Duessa claiming that she's already engaged to Redcrosse. Redcrosse explains that she tricked him and
the messenger is revealed to be Archimago. Everyone is relieved to hear of Redcrosse's innocence, but
Redcrosse soon must leave to fulfill his duty to the Faerie Queene.
Other Books:

Heads up, Shmoopers: The Faerie Queen ain't brief. It's a big ol' doorstop of a read, and we feel like we'd
be cheating you out of major plot points if we try to condense it down too much. So for the other books
full of Faerie Queenerific goodness, we're going give you the basic-basics. Check out the Detailed
Chapter Summaries for a more in-depth look

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The Faerie Queene Summary

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The Faerie Queene Summary

Book 1

Newly knighted and ready to prove his stuff, Redcrosse, the hero of this book, is embarking on his first
adventure: to help a princess named Una get rid of a pesky dragon that is totally bothering her parents
and kingdom. So, she, Redcrosse, and her dwarf-assistant all head out to her home.

PROMOTED BY
Real Estate Prices in Miami Might Surprise You

Ad By Real Estate Miami | Sponsored Listing

The cost of real estate in New York might surprise you

Ad By Real Estate NYC | Sponsored Listing

The Cost of Real Estate in Las Vegas Might Surprise You

Ad By Real Estate Las Vegas | Sponsored Listing

But before they get very far, they get lost in a forest and wander into the cave of a monster named Error
who Redcrosse—just barely—defeats. After this riveting beginning, they soon come across a man they
think is an old hermit, but turns out to actually be a powerful and sneaky magician named Archimago.

Not suspecting his malicious motives, the group goes back to his house with him for some much needed
R & R. But sadly, that's the last thing they get… since Archimago uses his magic to construct a false
version of Una, one who makes some uncomfortable sexual advances toward Redcrosse that provoke
him to pack up and leave without her.

The real Una, meanwhile, wakes up stunned and hurt to find her knight Redcrosse gone.

As Redcrosse makes his way, he comes upon a knight named Sans Foy with a lady. Redcrosse kills Sans
Foy and takes up with the lady, not realizing she's a crafty witch named Duessa. The two of them stop by
some trees for a rest, but quickly discover that these trees are actually people—most notably a guy
named Fraudubio—who have been transformed by a curse performed by that same Duessa (but no one
except Duessa makes this connection).

Meanwhile, poor Una is wandering alone looking for Redcrosse and she looks so pure and sad that a lion
joins up with her to be her protector. Aww. She and the lion spend an uncomfortable evening in the
house of two wicked women and a thief (who the lion kills) and then run into Archimago disguised as
Redcrosse.
However, before much happens, they are interrupted by Sans Loy—the brother of Sans Foy—who's
seeking vengeance for the death of his brother. Archimago manages to elude him, but he snatches Una
away.

Back to Redcrosse. He and Duessa arrive at a luxurious spot called the House of Pride and meet its
mistress, Lucifera, who puts on a pretty disturbing performance involving the Seven Deadly Sins. Lucifera
then puts on a tournament, and Redcrosse fights Sans Joy (you guessed it, the other brother of Sans Foy)
and almost kills him until Duessa protects him (it turns out they have a bit of thing going on the side) by
taking him to be healed in the house of Night. When she returns, she finds Redcrosse has left.

Una, in the meantime, is rescued from the clutches of Sans Loy by some friendly satyrs and soon comes
across the knight Satyrane who helps Una look for Redcrosse. They find Archimago, who lies and tells
them that Redcrosse is dead, which devastates Una. As she grieves, a very unhappy Sans Loy catches up
with them and fights with Satyrane.

Duessa, who's been looking all over for Redcrosse, finally finds him and the two share a very intimate
moment. This moment is followed by the attack of the giant Orgoglio, who defeats Redcrosse because
Redcrosse is depleted from his intimate encounter. Orgoglio throws Redcrosse into prison and starts
dating Duessa.

Now Una hears that Redcrosse isn't dead but thrown into prison and very fortunately runs into Arthur,
who agrees to help her rescue him. They head off to the castle of Orgoglio where Arthur fights him,
wins, and frees Redcrosse (who's feeling pretty bummed). Arthur then captures Duessa and reveals her
for who she really is. Arthur then tells Redcrosse and Una a little bit about himself and his love for
Gloriana, and then heads off on his own way.

Redcrosse hasn't recovered from his ordeal yet and is lead by another despairing knight, Trevison, to the
cave of Despair where Redcrosse is almost talked into committing suicide. But Una saves him in the nick
of time. Realizing that Redcrosse needs some serious help, Una takes him to the House of Holiness,
where Redcrosse recovers and learns about true religious belief.

Rejuvenated, Redcrosse and Una finally arrive at Una's kingdom and Redcrosse fights the dragon. The
dragon almost kills Redcrosse twice, but each time Redcrosse manages to rally. Victorious, Redcrosse
slays the dragon.
In celebration, Una and Redcrosse are engaged, but the festivities are interrupted by a message from
Duessa claiming that she's already engaged to Redcrosse. Redcrosse explains that she tricked him and
the messenger is revealed to be Archimago. Everyone is relieved to hear of Redcrosse's innocence, but
Redcrosse soon must leave to fulfill his duty to the Faerie Queene.

Other Books:

Heads up, Shmoopers: The Faerie Queen ain't brief. It's a big ol' doorstop of a read, and we feel like we'd
be cheating you out of major plot points if we try to condense it down too much. So for the other books
full of Faerie Queenerific goodness, we're going give you the basic-basics. Check out the Detailed
Chapter Summaries for a more in-depth look.

Book 2

Book 2, the book of Temperance, follows the hero Guyon and his guide the Palmer on their quest to
avenge the death of Amavia and Verdant by finding and destroying the Bower of Bliss and its creator,
the witch Acrasia.

As per usual in Faerie Land, they get sidetracked. This time, it's by encounters with Braggadochio, Furor
and Occaision, Phaedria, and the house of Mammon. But after a refreshing visit to the house of Alma,
things get back on track and off they head to one infamous Bower.

Book 3

Book 3, on Chastity, features our favorite lady-knight Britomart on her quest to find her one true love,
Arthegall. Disguised as a man along with her trusty nurse, Glauce, Britomart roams the land of Faerie
knocking every knight she meets off their horse and finally agreeing to help Scudamore save his beloved
Amoret, who is a prisoner in the house of Busirane.

Book 4

Probably the oddest book in the whole poem, the fourth book on Friendship doesn't really have a single
protagonist. We spend a little bit of time with the friends Triamond and Cambell, and their wives
Canacee and Cambina, but we also spend a good deal of time with Britomart and Arthegall, both the real
and the False Florimell, and the reculsive Marinell. This book is definitely something of a hodge-podge.
Book 5

Returning to the more conventional structure of centering a book around a single knight, Book 5
features the exploits of Arthegall, knight of justice, and his rather alarming robot sidekick, Talus. Yeah,
you read that right. They wander the land of Faerie enacting justice and punishment until Arthegall is
embarrassingly captured by the queen of the Amazons, Radigund, and freed by his love, Britomart.
Arthegall does finally succeed at the end of the book in killing the giant Grantorto, although he ends the
book being chased by a new threat, the Blatant Beast.

Book 6

Picking up right where Book 5 left off, Book 6 follows Calidore, a knight of courtesy, on his quest to stop
the Blatant Beast. He too gets sidetracked along the way, making friends with Calepine and Serena—
who we spend a lot of time with—and then taking some time out with the shepherds to live a pastoral
existence. After winning the hand of Pastorella, he finally completes his quest and captures the Blatant
Beast.

Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queene is a sixteenth-century English epic poem. Spenser originally
intended the poem to be a series of twelve books, each devoted to one of twelve moral virtues as
exemplified by the characters of twelve knights. In an introduction addressed to Sir Walter Raleigh,
Spenser explains that the Faerie Queene, Gloriana, represents both Queen Elizabeth and the abstract
idea of Glory. King Arthur, whom Spenser portrays as the epitome of all twelve virtues, experiences a
vision of Gloriana and finds her in “Faeryland,” where she is hosting her twelve-day feast. Each day, a
different emblematic knight undertakes a quest, with Arthur often joining the escapades.

Book 1 begins not at the Queene’s feast, but with the in-progress adventure of the Redcrosse Knight,
who represents “Holiness.” When Lady Una requests a warrior to free her parents’ kingdom from a
rampaging dragon, Gloriana dispatches Redcrosse on the mission. Traveling with Una, Redcrosse defeats
Error, a troublesome monster they meet. Soon thereafter, the magician Archimago bewitches Redcrosse
into believing Una is unchaste, and he leaves her.

While Una continues to travel with a protective lion escort, Redcrosse falls under the spell of the witch
Duessa and lands in the giant Orgoglio’s dungeon. When Una learns of his plight, she recruits Arthur to
kill Orgoglio and rescue Redcrosse. On the road again with Una, Redcrosse succumbs to “Despair.” Una
guides him to the House of Holiness, where he recovers his spirit, discovering his true identity is St.
George. They finally arrive in Una’s kingdom; Redcrosse slays the dragon, and he and Una become
engaged.

The virtue of “Temperance” and its patron knight, Sir Guyon, prevail in Book 2. Guyon and his
companion, Palmer, come upon Amavia, nearly dead from an act of suicide. With her last breaths, she
tells them the witch Acrasia seduced and killed her lover. Vowing to avenge these deaths and destroy
the “Bower of Bliss” where Acrasia bewitches unwitting knights, Guyon and Palmer ride off with
Amavia’s baby. They arrive at the castle of Medina, a woman of pleasingly balanced temperament, and
they entrust the infant to her care.

After scuffles with the brothers Pyrochles and Cymochles and an escape from the temptress Phaedria,
Guyon visits the Cave of Mammon. Although tantalized by this chamber of pleasures, Guyon resists its
allure, emerging exhausted. Just as Pyrochles and Cymochles set upon him again, Arthur appears,
delivering Guyon from the combative brothers. Together, they visit Alma’s Castle of Temperance. Guyon
and Palmer sail to Acrasia’s island bower, where they defy numerous sensual enticements designed to
trap men. They overpower Acrasia, destroy her evil paradise, and liberate those held captive.

Book 3 emphasizes “Chastity,” as embodied principally by the female knight Britomart. Guyon, Arthur,
and Timias, Arthur’s squire, encounter Britomart, and they witness a forester pursuing the maiden
Florimell. While the men follow Florimell, Britomart visits the Castle Joyeous and meets with Redcrosse.
She confides she is in search of the knight Artegall, with whom she fell in love after seeing his image in a
magic mirror. A consultation with Merlin reveals Britomart is destined to marry Artegall and found the
line of British monarchs.

Meanwhile, after the forester wounds him, Timias receives aid from the huntress Belphoebe, with
whom he falls in love. The story of her birth – and that of her twin sister Amoret – unfolds. Florimell runs
afoul of a witch, a lecherous fisherman, and Proteus, the sea-god, who locks her in an underwater
cavern when she rebuffs his advances. Following an encounter with Malbecco, whose faithless wife fled
to live with wanton satyrs, Britomart meets Sir Scudamore. She joins his quest to rescue his bride
Amoret from the clutches of Busirane and then single-handedly frees Amoret from the lustful magician’s
castle.

Book 4 upholds the virtue of “Friendship.” Britomart and Amoret search for Scudamore. Believing
Britomart, in knight’s dress, to be a man, Amoret is relieved to discover her error and recalculate her
growing affection for Britomart as friendship. When a tournament is announced to compete for
Florimell’s recovered girdle, it attracts many knights, including Britomart, Scudamore, and two friends,
Cambell and Triamond. The account of Cambell and Triamond’s friendship borrows from Chaucer’s
unfinished “Squire’s Tale.”

In her knight’s disguise, Britomart triumphs at the tournament. Another incognito knight joins forces
with Scudamore to challenge Britomart; during the contest, their helmets slip off. Britomart recognizes
her opponent as Artegall; they pledge their love and agree to marry.

Amoret is missing, so Britomart and Scudamore set out to find her. Having been abducted by Hairy Carl
and imprisoned in his cave, Amoret escapes with another captive, Aemylia. The two eventually secure
the protection of Arthur, who also rescues Aemylia’s lover from a monster. Amoret and Scudamore then
reunite. Meanwhile, Neptune orders Proteus to release Florimell so she can marry her beloved,
Marinell.

The adventures of Artegall, the knight of “Justice,” unfold in Book 5. Apprenticed as a boy to Astraea,
goddess of justice, Artegall is now tasked with delivering Irena’s kingdom from the tyranny of Grantorto.
Accompanied by Talus, Astraea’s “iron man” page, Artegall embarks on his quest, meting out justice at
opportune moments along the way. After attending Florimell and Marinell’s wedding, Artegall and Talus
battle Radigund, a powerful female warrior who enslaves men to do domestic chores. Radigund defeats
Artegall, as he’s enthralled by her beauty, and she puts him to work.
Talus tells Britomart of Artegall’s misfortune, and she sets forth to rescue him. At nightfall, she shelters
in the church of Isis and dreams of her future regal offspring. Fortified by this vision, Britomart kills
Radigund and frees Artegall, who continues on his quest. He visits the court of Mercilla with Arthur,
where they witness the execution of Duessa. Then Artegall vanquishes Grantorto, completing his
mission.

Book 6 celebrates the virtue of “Courtesy.” While pursuing the Blatant Beast, Sir Calidore meets and
becomes enamored with Pastorella, who is soon abducted by a band of brigands. After recovering
Pastorella, Calidore delivers her to Sir Bellamoure and his wife for safekeeping while he continues his
chase. Bellamoure discovers that Pastorella is his long-lost daughter, and Calidore captures the beast.

The first three books of The Faerie Queene appeared in 1590 and the next three, in 1596. There is no
record of the remaining six books except a fragment of Book 7. As a religious and political allegory,
Spenser’s poem metaphorically alludes to numerous Elizabethan personalities and events, including
Mary Queen of Scotts (“Duessa”) and rebellions in Ireland (“Irena’s Kingdom”). Spenser created his own
stanza, Spenserian stanza, for this poem.