The Faerie Queene

Spenser, Edmund | 1552 or 1553-1599
Edmund Spenser, an influential English poet of the Renaissance, is best known for his epic poem The Faerie Queene. This allegorical work, composed in the late sixteenth century, is considered one of the greatest achievements in English literature.
The Faerie Queene is an expansive and complex poem that uses the allegory to explore various aspects of virtue, chivalry, and morality. King Arthur, although not the central figure, is a prominent character in the Book I of The Faeire Queene. Spenser casts Arthur as the ideal ruler and a symbol of the chivalric code. The poem explores themes of heroism, virtue, and the quest for an idealized and harmonious society.
Spenser’s work draws heavily on the Arthurian legends, weaving them into the broader tapestry of his allegory. While Spenser is not as frequent read in modern times as some other Renaissance poets, his influence on later writers and his contribution to the literary canon, particularly through The Faerie Queene, are significant.