Faerie Queene in the Literature

Faerie Queene

In the literature world, the definition of the term Epic has taken a number of varying definitions. However, there is always a convergence especially where poetry is concerned. The heroic epics are known to have arisen from the Heroic Age which came shortly before the civilization age and not from the preliterate as thought by many (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2011).

The epic poetry is set apart from other genres by the content and the style that is used therein and more often than not the two epic poems that come to mind are 'The Iliad' and 'The Odyssey'. These are book long poems that are characterized by switching from scene to scene and a line of dialogue is created just like in a play. It can be referred to as drama in a narrative form (Gill N.S., 2011).

According to Albin Lesky (1966), the heroes found in the epic literature normally comply to a given code of conduct, the epics are in verse which can be categorized as Dactylic Hexameters, the language that is used in the epic poetry is normally formulaic, the content is elevated and does not delve in the ordinary life details, the poetry also have long catalogues and there are frequent speeches found therein.

The Faerie Queene can therefore be considered a romantic an epic poem. On the onset, the poem is very allegorical and uses allegorical language and figures. It is said that the poem was crafted in praise of Queen Elizabeth I (allegorically referred to as Queen Gloriana), who was a powerful figure at that time. She had a definite code of conduct and never delved into the petty lifestyle like the other citizens (eNotes, 2011).

This poem was written in the 1590 in part and the other part completed in 1596 in stanzas that are referred to as Spenserian stanzas. The poem actually appeared in four books that were finally published in 1596; these were Book I-Holiness, Book II-Temperance, Book III-Chastity, Book IV-Friendship, Book v-Justice, Book VI-Courtesy.

These books were also divided into scenes that were referred to as Cantos, hence looking like drama plus narrative in one. It is notable that, just like in any other epic, each book is dedicated to examining the life and escapades of a particular hero or heroine.