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

Book IV, Canto viii, wherein Timias is forgiven. Meanwhile, Arthur finds Æmylia and Amoret where they have been hiding in the forest after Timias and Belphœbe abandoned them for no good reason. Corflambo the giant chases squire Placidas, but the giant is slain by Arthur. Æmylia's lover, Amyas, is revealed to be alive, but captive of an evil woman, Pœana. Æmylia begs Arthur to help her beloved Amyas.

Book IV, Canto vii, wherein Amoret is carried off by an ogre consumed with lust, but Belphœbe rescues her and two other women held by the ogre: Æmylia and an old hag. Arthur's former squire, Timias, accidentally deflowers Amoret (who is, unknown to all, Belphœbe's twin sister), which pisses Belphœbe off. Dishonored, Timias (whose name means "honor") goes off to live life as a wildman of the forest.

Book IV, Canto vi, wherein Scudamour and Artegall battle Britomart. Artegall sees Britomart's face when he knocks the visor off of her helmet and he falls in love with her. Britomart and Artegall become engaged, but Artegall still has a quest to fulfill, so he must part with Britomart for a while, but he promises to return.

Book IV, Canto v, wherein the various ladies vie for the belt of Florimell, and False Florimell ends up with it though Amoret is the only one who can wear it. Scudamour arrives at the House of Care, where the smiths forge only iron wedges, which are unquiet thoughts that invade troubled minds, showing how invasive thoughts can keep one from sleeping.

Book IV, Canto iv, wherein the tournament for Florimell's belt is held. The battles are intense, with much back and forth between Satyrane's team (the Knights of the Maidenhood) and Bruncheval's team (Blandamour, Paridell, Braggadocchio, and Triamond). On the 2nd day, Cambell replaces Triamond because Triamond is wounded. On the 3rd day, Artegall arrives and trounces everyone, but Britomart takes him out and wins.

Book IV, Canto III, wherein three brothers battle Cambell for his sister's hand. Cambell kills the first brother by stabbing him in his throat, and his life fled into the second brother. Cambell kills the second brother by cutting off his head, and both lives fled into the third brother. Cambell kills the third brother two times, but he rises, until Cambina, sister of the three brothers, arrives to bring peace

Book IV, Canto ii, wherein Blandamour defeats Sir Ferraugh and wins the False Florimell. Blandamour and Paridell come to blows over her, while Duessa and Ate egg them on. The Squire of Dames arrives and shames them into a pretend friendship, telling them of Satyrane's tournaments. Blandamour and Paridell encounter Cambell and Triamond with their loves, Canacee and Cambina. Then we learn some background on them.

Book IV, Canto I, where Britomart and Amoret (who believes Britomart is male) travel, and Amoret, who is a wedded but unbedded wife, worries that she might have to be unfaithful because she owes this knight her life and loyalty. They travel to a castle, have a battle, and Britomart reveals her femininity, to Amoret's relief. Duessa arrives again, with Ate, Paridell, and Blandamour. There are several fights.

Book III, Canto XII, where Britomart watches the masque of Cupid unfold in front of her, representing how lovers sometimes mask their true passionate feelings. Britomart uses her wits to find Amoret and the wizard. She frees Amoret and captures the wizard, then leads them out of the castle, but Glauce and Scudamour were not waiting for them - they had gone seeking additional help. This is the end of Book Three.

Book III Canto XI, where Britomart chases the giant Ollyphant and finds Scudamour in the forest. Scudamour is distressed by the capture of his love, so Britomart offers to help. They go to the castle of the wizard Busirane, and Britomart makes her way through Vulcan's fire to find tapestries depicting Cupid's triumphs, a golden statue of Cupid, and words telling her to be bold (immodest) - but not too bold.