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

Book II Canto IX, wherein Arthur and Guyon go to Alma's castle, which is the body, and explore the wonders of the human body and how it harmoniously functions when governed by temperance. Also, Alma's castle is Protestant & British, and the wild attackers without are Catholic & Irish.

Book II Canto VII, wherein Sir Guyon encounters Mammon, and descends into Mammon's Hell, to be tempted by him for three days and nights (and for 40 stanzas), before returning to the world and collapsing, near death.

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 12 , Una’s parents celebrate their rescue, and Una and the Redcrosse Knight are formally betrothed. However, he cannot remain with her yet, because he must first complete six years of service to the Faerie Queene. The canto ends with hope, duty, and the promise of future reunion. Book 1 is finished! On to Book 2!

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.