Book I: Proem Stanzas 1-4

Faerie Queene Book I

"The Legend of the Knight of the Red Cross" or "Of Holiness"

Proem: Stanza 1

Synopsis: This stanza acts as a prologue to the entire poem and the beginning of Spenser's poetic "quest".

Unfamiliar word: areeds (7) means counsels or commands. The Muse tells Spenser to write about knights and ladies, not shepherds and pastoral themes.

Other literature: Alludes to the common Renaissance "prologue" of Aeneid where Virgil talks about going from pastoral poems (Bucolics; Georgics) to epics (Aeneid).

General observation: Spenser uses the stories of wars and lovers to illustrate moral truths.

Stanza 2

Synopsis: Spenser invokes the Muse Clio to help him write excellently about great heroes and virtuous women, especially Arthur and Tanaquill. (Gloriana/Elizabeth)

Unfamiliar word: scryne (3) is a shrine or place where valuable items are hidden. For example, it describes the store of knowledge from whence the Muse tells the story of Arthur and Tanaquill.

Other literature: "suffered so much ill" (7) alludes to Aeneid I which talks about Aeneas' struggles to found Rome.

General observation: Spenser's invocation to the Muse shows that this poem involved deep thinking and has a broad scope.

Stanza 3

Synopsis: Spenser invokes Venus and Mars to help him understand love and war for his poem.

Unfamiliar word: Heben (5) means dark black and can refer to something that is evil or poisonous.

Other literature: Cupid's friend carries a "Heben bowe" in Roman de la Rose.

General observation: Spenser's appeals to the forces of love and war show his desire to create harmony in this poem

Stanza 4

Synopsis: Spenser directly addresses his patron Elizabeth I to inspire him to write about the virtues of the ideal monarch and to read his work carefully.

Unfamiliar word: afflicted stile (8) refers to writing with humility. Spenser wants Elizabeth, whom he reveres, to read his work penned with humility, not to make him a legendary poet.

Other literature: Spenser calls Elizabeth a "Goddesse" (1) which refers to Psalm 82:1 where secular rulers are called gods as God's representatives on earth.

General observation: Spenser seemingly flatters his patron, but he actually looks at the greater reality and glory that Elizabeth's reign as queen is only a foretaste of.

"Helpe then, O holy virgin chiefe of nyne/Thy weaker Novice to performe thy will" (Proem.2.1-2)