The Faerie Queene: Book II: Canto II Summary & Analysis

Sir Guyon picks up the baby that was playing in Amavia’s blood. He tries to clean the orphan off but is surprised to find that the blood clings to the baby’s hands. Guyon wonders why God would do this to such an innocent baby. The Palmer explains that perhaps the blood is a symbol of Amavia’s innocence.

Sir Guyon and the Palmer make it to a castle built on a rock by the sea where three sisters live. The three sisters pledged to divide the castle equally but frequently argue with each other about their shares. When Guyon arrives, he finds that the middle sister, Medina, is the loveliest and most striking.

The older and younger sisters are currently courting with knights. The older sister is with a strong knight named Sir Huddibras, and the younger sister is with Sansloy (the Saracen who kidnapped Una in Book I). Both knights are brash, and so they typically battle each other to please their ladies, but Sir Guyon is a new opponent for them.

At first, Sir Guyon easily beats back the attacks by Sir Huddibras and Sansloy. Then they start a furious three-way war. Though they are fighting for their ladies, Medina doesn’t actually want Guyon to fight, and she enters the fray to stop them. She gives a speech about the benefits of concord. Her words are so moving that the combatants let their weapons fall. The other two sisters pretend to be happy with this outcome, but they’re not.

Elissa, the eldest sister, scowls and won’t eat. Meanwhile Perissa, the youngest, eats and drinks lavishly. In the middle sits Medina, who is dignified and eats a proper amount. Medina asks Sir Guyon where he came from, and he replies that he’s been traveling in the service of the Faerie Queene, who is noble and great. He also relates the story of Amavia, Sir Mordant, and Acrasia, telling how he has vowed revenge on Acrasia. All the guests are fascinated by his story. Soon, the dinner ends, and they go to bed.