Vincent Darlage’s Reviews > The Faerie Queene > Status Update

Book II Canto VI: Guyon pursues Cymochles but is ferried by Phaedria to her pleasure island, leaving the Palmer behind. Phaedria tries to distract both knights with ease and delight, but Guyon remains focused on his quest. When Guyon and Cymochles begin to fight, Phaedria intervenes and temporarily halts the conflict.

Book II Canto IV: Guyon and the Palmer find Furor, driven by Occasion, savagely tormenting Phedon. Realizing Furor cannot be subdued while Occasion incites him, Guyon restrains Occasion first, then chains Furor. Phedon recounts how a false friend deceived him into killing his innocent bride, and Atin arrives to warn that Pyrochles is approaching.

In Book II Canto III, the boastful coward Braggadochio and his scheming servant Trompart wander the forest, surviving through bluff and deception. Their antics are contrasted with the appearance of the noble huntress Belphœbe, whose beauty, virtue, and skill embody an ideal of chastity and natural excellence.

Book II Canto II: Guyon comes to Medina’s castle, where she represents the temperate middle between her extreme sisters, Elissa and Perissa. Their knights, Huddibras and Sansloy, quarrel violently; Guyon intervenes, and Medina restores peace, modeling moderation against excess and deficiency.

In Book 1 Canto 1, Sir Guyon, the Knight of Temperance, sees through the deceptions of Archimago, then encounters the dying Amavia and learns how uncontrolled passion destroyed her husband, Mordant, through the temptress Acrasia. Guyon vows to oppose such corruption and continues his quest with the wise Palmer as his guide.

In Book 1, Canto 11, the Redcrosse Knight battles a mighty dragon over three days to free Una’s parents and kingdom. Though nearly defeated several times, he is restored by sacred wells and trees, finally slays the dragon, and proves himself worthy of becoming Saint George, England’s patron saint.

In Book 1: Canto 10, the Redcrosse Knight is brought to the House of Holiness, where he is spiritually healed and instructed by holy figures. He learns humility, faith, and repentance, gains strength for his final battle, and receives a vision of heavenly glory and his future destiny as Saint George.

Book 1 Canto 9: Arthur reveals that he is in love with the Queen of the Faeries and now on a continuous quest for glory. Arthur and the Red Cross Knight exchange gifts. On their way again, Una and the Red Cross Knight encounter Sir Trevisan, who is fleeing Despair. The Red Cross Knight interrupts his journey to deal with Despair, and nearly fails, but Una knocks some sense into him and he leaves Despair behind.

Book 1 Canto 8: Una and the Dwarf bring Arthur to the giant's castle to rescue the Red Cross Knight. Arthur sounds his horn, which brings out the giant and Duessa on her beast. Arthur and his squire battle them, ultimately winning, exposing the giant as empty pride. The Red Cross Knight is rescued and reunited with Una. Then Duessa is stripped naked and exiled.

Book One: Canto Seven - The Red Cross Knight drinks from a cursed well and is taken captive by a proud giant. Una runs across the servant dwarf, who tells her what has befallen her knight and why he abandoned her. Una is distressed and upset, then she meets Prince Arthur (King Arthur before he was king). She tells Arthur her story.