As was the case with many 16th century writers, Edmund Spenser’s writing was heavily influenced by current events. Specifically, Spenser was a major proponent of anti—Catholic sentiment and the power of a Christian god, something that is especially clear in his epic poem The Faerie Queene. The Redcrosse Knight, serves as an allegory for St. George, the patron saint of England. For this reason, the poem makes him a symbol of every Christian’s inner struggle, by exposing him to a series of trials that test his faith and place him in situations that seem too large for even the most ardent Christian to overcome. In Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queene, although the Redcrosse Knight is tested by personifications of major sins, deceived in both words and appearances, and repeatedly pushed to his breaking point, his constant triumph is depicted to symbolize the power of belief and its ability to overcome even the largest obstacle.
Adversely, the supporting players are named for either a temptation or a virtue, symbolizing the turmoil each believer must go through to come out stronger. With each new foe that the Knight encounters, it becomes clear that some have more sway over him than others. His first obstacle, a being called Error, is defeated with ease when the Knight “stroke at her with more than manly force, That from her body full of filthie sin/ He raft her hatefull head without remorse” (Spenser 411). By defeating Error, he has also defeated the alternate forms of religion that pervaded English society in the 16th century. The monster’s “vomit full of bookes and papers” (Spenser 410) serves as a metaphor for evasive Catholic propaganda, and its ultimate defeat is proof of Spenser’s belief that there is no power greater than Christ Himself. However, that does not mean that temptation will not claim certain believers. Spenser proves this with the character of Archimago, who briefly tears the Knight away from Lady Una for a time, using “A diverse dreame out of his prison darke” (Spenser 415) that spreads discontent between the two. As Una’s name literally means “one,” and the plot is primarily a religious allegory, this represents wandering from the “one true faith” that is Christianity and consequently being led away from it altogether. Not all sins have the same effect on a person’s faith, but the worst of them can have major consequences in the long run. That is why the ultimate challenge is being able to deal with them properly.
For this reason, the Knight frequently relies on the support of the more virtuous secondary characters, who symbolize God’s grace and the unity that exists between Christians everywhere. In spite of their previous conflicts, Una is devoted to the Knight, even in his darkest hour. When he has nearly been tempted into suicide by Despair, she “snatcht the cursed knife, And threw it to the ground, enraged rife,” saying “’Come, come away, fraile, feeble, fleshly wight, Ne let vaine words bewitch thy manly hart’” (Spenser 442-43). Una’s presence and encouragement are evidence of God’s presence on Earth, and how he acts through the people in our lives to lead us on the path of righteousness. She also exhibits the power of forgiveness with her actions, looking beyond the Knight’s mistakes and showing him kindness in spite of them, as Christians are meant to do. She continues to display this ideal by bringing him to the house of Holinesse, where its inhabitants and their generosity fortify him for the greatest battle of his life. Contemplation, in particular, advises him, “’And wash thy hands from guilt of bloudy field: For bloud can nought but sin, and wars but sorrowes yield’” (Spenser 447). This message is as much for the reader as it is for the Redcrosse Knight, noting that Christianity is not always peaceful, but it is worth it when we are doing the work of God. And by surrounding himself with only the most moral figures in his life, the Knight will no longer be led astray and can truly live up to his reputation as the knight of holiness.
While some of Spenser’s characters might be clear in their purpose and motivation, others are not, showing that even the most moral characters can be occasionally deceived. It is not uncommon for a character to be Christian in action, but have a less than pleasant ulterior motive that he hides away from his target. Archimago, for example, presents himself as “Simple in shew, and voyde of malice bad, And all the way he prayed, as he went, And often knockt his brest, as one that did repent” (Spenser 412). With all of these characteristics combined, he seems like a fairly trustworthy figure, especially after he generously offers lodging to Redcrosse and Una. But as the Knight finds out, this presentation was nothing but a ruse for Archimago to invade his dreams with a lustful vision of Una as “a loose Leman to vile service bound” (Spenser 416). This planting of false ideas is not unlike how the Catholic church lured the people of England into joining, promising everything they wanted and glossing over any downsides. Furthermore, the way Redcrosse blindly believes what he has seen as fact shows the power of dreams and how a false truth, when well said, can take the place of God’s truth. However, it only takes a few questions towards Una for the Knight to break down the lie, and the spirit “saw his labour all was vaine, With that misformed spright he backe returned againe” (Spenser 418). The acquiescing nature of the spirit is a symbol of the true nature of things like idols or alternative religions. They may seem perfectly fine for a short period of time, but they very rarely hold up. Many Christians may falter, but they will always come back to God’s word for something that those other beliefs cannot offer: permanent love and salvation.
Deceptive actions are one thing, but the character of Despair proves that a few persuasive, but false, words can make an everlasting impression, even when they do not tell the whole story. At first, the Knight’s strength of faith allows him to brush off Despair’s argument for committing suicide. Upon hearing the story of Sir Terwin, he wonders “’How may a man…with idle speech be wonne, to spoyle the Castle of his health?’” (Spenser 438). While in theory, words may not seem so powerful, in practice they can be deadly for even the strongest of faith. When Despair tells him, “‘But here lie downe, and to thy rest betake, Th’ill to prevent, that life ensewen may’” (Spenser 443), he makes suicide out to be a reasonable, almost noble, option for any man. He achieves this goal primarily through omission, taking the positive points and magnifying them so as to render the negative ones irrelevant. This allows the words to paint a particularly enticing picture, so that the recipient of the words will have no choice but to accept. Indeed, Redcrosse finds himself “much enmoved with his speech…And in his conscience made a secret breach” (Spenser 442), only being saved by Una, who subsequently brings
him to Contemplation and allows him to see all that he has to live for. Anything may sound like a good idea with skillful wording, but if there is valuable information left out, the truth will not stay hidden for long. Still, any true Christian will know that it is never too late to make up for a lapse of judgment with God.
In his persistence, the Redcrosse Knight is a model for Christian readers, remaining overall faithful in situations that nearly rob him of his life, and his eventual triumph is evidence of God’s presence in everything he does. While his near fatal lapse at the hands of Despair could be seen as weakness, he is blessed by God with the presence of Una, who brings him to the House of Holinesse “Where he is taught repentance, and the way to heavenly blesse” (Spenser 443). Despite his title of the Knight of Holiness, Redcrosse is as susceptible as any regular Christian to sinful ways. But his ability to recover is a message to Christians everywhere that an occasional lapse of faith is inevitable, but not insurmountable. He also owes his faith to his ardent supporters, especially Una, who upon seeing him struck down by the dragon watches all night and “ne once adowne would lay…But praying still did wake, and waking did lament” (Spenser 457). The prayers of his loyal follower, as well as his own sense of faith, allow him to gather up strength to make his second, successful attempt to vanquish the dragon.
Redcrosse’s companions strengthen his faith, but his miraculous revival is the culmination of his loyalty towards God, and how faith has given him the ultimate second chance. The dragon presents the ultimate test of his courage, and at first, it seems that he has met his match. After a grueling fight, “He cast to suffer him no more respire, But gan his sturdie sterne about to weld, And him so strongly stroke, that to the ground him feld” (Spenser 456). By placing the Knight in his most difficult challenge yet, it makes it more remarkable how God is able to salvage his body and allow him to fulfill his destiny. It is also a good example of the cockiness of sinners, as seen in the dragon who “clapt his yron wings, as victor he did dwell” (Spenser 456) afterwards. Overall, it reminds us of the many times that he has nearly been brought to death by the influence of various sins. This seems to be the end, but God has other plans. Upon his fall, Redcrosse lands in a well, and emerges the following morning “As Eagle fresh out of the Ocean wave” (Spenser 457). The Well has provided a balm for his wounds, as every sinner should be healed. The Knight’s newfound ability not only to fight the dragon, but win, shows the true miracle of God. For persisting and coming to rely solely on the words of the Lord, his spirituality is stronger than ever.
In conclusion, the character of Redcrosse is largely Spenser’s way of advocating for the power of Christianity. Despite tests of character by various spirits, the Knight’s faith prevents him from falling prey. Their actions and words may very nearly deceive him, but he rises above it, proving that sinners will still be forgiven by God. All this and more leads him to the ultimate reward of salvation and triumph over his ultimate foe. With all of the obstacles in Redcrosse’s way, nonbelievers might wonder why he bothers at all. But any Christian can see that those roadblocks, though difficult to overcome, have made him a better person by the end.
Works Cited
Spenser, Edmund. “The Faerie Queene.” The Norton Anthology of English Literature: The Major Authors. Ed. Stephen Greenblatt. 9th ed. New York: Norton, 2013. 399-404, 405-62.
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