Open Guides To Literature: The Faerie Queene

The Faerie Queene is famous as an extended allegorical poem, so this guide encourages the reader to think about the process of reading, and particularly of reading allegory. The Faerie Queene is a demanding poem which requires not only an actively engaged reader but a reader prepared to learn different sorts of reading Gareth Roberts suggests ways to become that reader. He concentrates on the first three books of The Faerie Queene (the books constituting the poem's first published version in 1590). He selects certain episodes or pictures from the poem, opening up their techniques and possible meanings examines the patterns of narrative and the recurrent key images and raises significant critical issues. He also gives students access to ideas, themes and discussions that Spenser knew (or could have known), so providing the necessary historical and intellectual background. He provides an invaluable guide for all students of Spenser's The Faerie Queene.