An allegory
is a representation of an abstract or spiritual meaning through concrete or
material forms; figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another.
It is a device in which characters or events represent or symbolize ideas and
concepts. ↙
In the
'Fairie Queene' there is a fusion of three kinds of allegories: A moral or
spiritual allegory, a religious allegory and a personal and historical
allegory. ↙
The
moral or religious allegory Spenser's objective of producing a work that might
instruct and guide gentlemen and noblemen into living morally and religiously
upright and virtuous lives: ↙
“The
generall end therefore of all the booke, is to fashion a gentleman or noble
person in vertuous and gentle discipline.” (Letter to Sir Walter Raleighi) ↙
The good
characters of the book stand for the various virtues, while the bad characters
symbolize the corresponding vices. The Red Cross Knight represents Holiness and
Lady Una stands for Truth, Goodness and Wisdom. Her parents symbolize the Human
race and the Dragon who has imprisoned them stands for Evil. The mission of
Holiness (Red Cross Knight) is to help Truth (Lady Una) to fight Evil (Dragon)
and thus regain its rightful place in the human heart. ↙
This moral
and spiritual allegory mingles with the religious allegory of the book. The
reformation was the most important religious movement of the time and in this
epic Spenser has represented it allegorically. The Red Cross Knight, for
example, represents the Manhood of England or the Reformed Church fighting
against the corruption. The parents of Una symbolize Humanity and the foul
Dragon who has captured them, stands for Pope of Rome. Archimago represents the
cunningness and hypocrisy of Papacy. ↙
With these
two allegories there mingles a third one--a political and personal allegory.
Spenser wrote his epic especially for the glory of Queen Elizabeth and his
courtiers. The Dedication of The Faerie
Queene establishes the connection between Elizabeth I and Gloriana. The
historical/national aspects of the allegory are calculated to give her praise,
glory, and honor for her virtue, valor, and noble sovereignty: ↙
“The most
high, mightie, and magnificent/
Emperesse
.../
Elizabeth/
By the grace
of God .../
Defender of
the Faith etc./
Her most
humble servaunt/
Edmund
Spenser/
Doth in all
humilitie/
Dedicate,
Present, and Consecrate These His Labours/
TO LIVE WITH
THE ETERNITIE OF HER FAME.” ↙
There are
countless other personal and historical references also.
No comments:
Post a Comment