Week 13 Reading Notes: The Faerie Queen, Britomart, Part B

The moralistic element is something I had heard of about Spenser, but it is somewhat strange to have personifications of vices and virtues mixed in with what otherwise has the air of a historical (although obviously romanticized) drama. The magic too has a strong allegorical element, as it rewards virtue, such as in the part about the golden girdle, which chooses Amoret. It is unclear whether some sentience is granted to the girdle or if it is more like a computer program and virtue is the password. I did not care particularly much for the allegorical parts, such as Sir Scudamour's sojourn in the house of Care, but I am more intrigued by objects that respond to good and evil.

Golden Girdle. Link.

I have to admit, it somewhat bothers me when beauty is a sign of virtue and when it can so swiftly stop anger. The men are always getting so angry, and even Britomart at times. It does not seem particularly noble to me, even though the main male characters are presented as furious and seeking revenge before they are suddenly appeased. Sir Scudamour's change of heart is more reasonable, but Sir Artegall should have not been so angry at being beaten. It actually contradicts what Spenser said earlier about knights not minding defeat.

WHAAAAAT? I want to know what happened to Amoret! She would be another interesting character to make the narrator. I like that they became friends.

I am glad that Britomart kept up her adventuring after she met and agreed to marry Artegall, as she is quite good at it. I wonder whether she continues in her disguise. It seems that dressing as a knight is not merely a way to pursue her quests, as she continues to be respected by those to whom her secret is revealed, but as a prevention against kidnapping. Beautiful ladies seem to frequently be at the mercy of those who want to marry them, so it makes sense to be a knight instead.

Bibliography: Mary Macleod's Stories from the Faerie Queen, Link.