In Edmund Spenser’s allegorical epic poem The Faerie Queene Book I, the adventures of hero Redcrosse and his quest on behalf of Una are described. This quest, which represents a spiritual allegory, depicts the Christian hero’s heroic struggle against various tribulations and temptations, including dishonesty, the seven deadly sins, and despair. Despite encountering these challenges and succumbing to some of them, Redcrosse ultimately emerges victorious. While the poem primarily focuses on Redcrosse as the heroic protagonist, Spenser’s female characters also play significant roles in his journey. According to Dashini Ann Jeyathurai, author of Exorcizing Female Power in The Faerie Queene: The Treatment of Duessa in the Book of Holiness, the female body is a contentious and powerful entity within the poem. It is often depicted as mysterious, disguised, and frequently misunderstood by both male characters and readers alike. Jeyathurai asserts that the enigmatic nature of the female body serves as a battleground where power dynamics between males and females are enacted. Two prominent female characters in Spenser’s epic are Una and Duessa. These characters, though vastly different, represent opposing facets of faith (Christianity and Catholicism) and good and evil within Spenser’s allegory. By examining the symbolism and influence of each character on Redcrosse, we can gain insight into Spenser’s spiritual allegories and his opinions on the respective churches they represent.Una, the representative of the authentic Christian church, makes her first appearance in Canto one. Her name, derived from Latin, signifies unity, while its Gaelic translation refers to a lamb. Both definitions symbolize Christianity and its essence of purity. Una embodies purity and innocence, as emphasized by her description as “pure and innocent, as that same l.”
Spenser’s epic poem, The Faerie Queene, includes elements that contribute to Redcrosse’s journey and the overall plot. It is evident that Spenser portrays the Catholic Church as weak and sinful, while viewing Christianity as the true faith. Works CitedJeyathurai, Dashini Ann. “Exorcizing Female Power in The Faerie Queene: The Treatment of Duessa in the Book of Holiness.” Lethbridge Undergraduate Research Journal. 2nd ed. Vol. 3. Northfield, MI: Lethbridge Undergraduate Research Journal, 2008. Lethbridge Undergraduate Research Journal. 2008. Web. 5 May 2011. SparkNotes Editors. “SparkNote on The Faerie Queene.” SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. n.d.. Web. 3 May 2011. Spenser, Edmund. “The Fearie Queene Book I.” The Norton Anthology of English Literature. By Logan Greenblatt. 8th ed. Vol. B. New York: W.W. Norton, 2006. 714-856. Print.
