The Faerie Queene: Book I: Canto IV Summary & Analysis

The narrator warns young knights like the Redcross Knight of how they can be led astray by people like Duessa (who is still disguised as a fair lady named Fidessa). As the Redcross Knight travels, he comes across an impressive building that looks like it could be the house of a prince. Many people from all ranks of society seem to be going towards the house, but few return. Duessa urges the Redcross Knight to approach.

The house turns out to be more of a palace, with high brick walls that have golden foil all over them. But though the house looks impressive, it sits on a weak foundation. A porter named Malvenù lets them inside, where many people wait eagerly to see the lady of the palace.

On a bright throne, wearing royal robes, is a maiden queen who seems to shine like the sun. She looks up toward heaven, refusing to look down at earth. Beneath her is an ugly dragon. This queen is the daughter of Pluto (god of the underworld) and Proserpina (Pluto’s queen, whom he kidnapped from the world above). Her name is Lucifera.

Lucifera usurped the throne through trickery and brutality, and she has become a tyrant. Duessa (still disguised) leads the Redcross Knight toward Lucifera.

Lucifera comes down from her throne, looking as splendid as the goddess Juno, or perhaps a peacock, as she gets into her coach. The coach is drawn by six different beasts, each of which has one of her six counselors riding on it. Each of the six beasts is monstrous, resembling a different one of the seven deadly sins (Idleness, Gluttony, Lechery, Greed, Envy, and Wrath), with Lucifera representing the seventh: Pride.

Lucifera and the deadly sin beasts ride for pleasure across flowery fields, with Duessa sitting right next to Lucifera. The Redcross Knight, however, is out of place in this crowd. When Lucifera has finished her ride and returns to the palace, a knight is waiting there with Sans joy written in red on his shield. 

Sansjoy notices that the Redcross Knight has the shield of his slain brother, Sansfoy. Sansjoy starts a fight with the Redcross Knight. They clash, but Lucifera orders them to stop, saying that they should fight properly the next day.

Sansjoy lies to Lucifera and tells her about how the Redcross Knight used treachery to kill his brother Sansfoy. He throws down his gauntlet as a promise to fight the Redcross Knight in battle the next day.

Night falls. While everyone is sleeping, Duessa gets up and goes to find Sansjoy, who is awake and plotting ways to defeat the Redcross Knight. Duessa talks about how she loved Sansjoy’s fallen brother Sansfoy but how the Redcross Knight has trapped her with him. She asks Sansjoy to avenge Sansfoy.

Sansjoy promises that he will do his duty to Sansfoy’s ghost by sacrificing the blood of the Redcross Knight.

Duessa fears that Sansjoy may be defeated by bad fortune. Sansjoy reassures her. Duessa says she’ll provide Sansjoy with hidden help.