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

Sir Guyon has been sailing for two days with the Palmer when he hears from his boatman that they’re about to pass through the Gulf of Greediness. The gulf has heavy waves and dangerous rocks that can eat sailors up. The most dangerous rock is called the Rock of Reproach. Fortunately, Guyon’s boat makes it through unscathed.

The boatman then tells Sir Guyon about the Wandering Islands, which have Greek names and travel in different directions through the water. The islands seem pleasant and tempt men to land on them. As Guyon’s boat passes through the Wandering Islands, he spots Phaedria on one of them. He stays wary, however, and the boat makes it past the islands.

The next obstacles at sea are the quicksands of Unthriftiness and the Whirlpool of Decay, but the boatman maneuvers around them. Unfortunately, however, the boat is soon surrounded by thousands of ugly sea monsters. The Palmer manages to calm these monsters by striking the sea with his staff.

Next the boat comes to an island, where a fair, weeping maiden seems to call to them. Sir Guyon wants to turn the boat towards her, but the Palmer warns him that she is false. They also pass some singing mermaids, but taking the Palmer’s advice, Guyon ignores their calls.

Soon after, during bad weather, the boat is surrounded by fearsome winged creatures, like birds, bats, and harpies. But at last, the weather improves and Sir Guyon and the Palmer disembark. As they walk on land, the Palmer keeps evil fiends away with his staff. At last, they make it to the Bower of Bliss, where Acrasia dwells. 

The gate to the bower is intricate, decorated with precious ivory and illustrating stories from mythology. Near the entrance is a man called Genius, who is decked in flowers and seems wise, but who secretly wants to make men fall. He welcomes Sir Guyon, but Guyon sees through him and breaks his staff.

The inside of the bower is as amazing as the gate, with perfect weather and sweet smells everywhere. Sir Guyon is in awe of the place but takes no delight from it. A woman in fair clothes named Excess is holding a cup of gold that she offers to Guyon to taste. Guyon takes her cup, then he throws it on the ground.

In the middle of the bower is a fountain that is pure and shiny because it’s made of the richest stuff on earth. Infinite streams seem to come out of it. In the middle of the fountain, two naked damsels are wrestling with each other. When the maidens see Sir Guyon, they laugh and blush and invite him to join them. The Palmer, however, warns Guyon not to.

At last, Sir Guyon and the Palmer make it to the part of the Bower of Bliss where Acrasia resides. Birds, voices, instruments, and all of nature seem to sing out together. Acrasia is lying with a lover, who seems to be enchanted with her witchcraft. It looks like her young lover comes from nobility, and he is strong like a warrior.

Sir Guyon and the Palmer sneak up on Acrasia and her lover. Then, all of a sudden, they rush forward and throw a net over Acrasia. They chain her up, but allow her lover, Verdant, to be untied. Guyon then begins totally destroying the bower. They lead Acrasia and Verdant out, with the Palmer again having to use his skills to pacify the raging beasts around them. The Palmer explains that these beasts were actually men who used to be Acrasia’s lovers but who were transformed.

One beast, a hog named Grill, is returned to human form by the Palmer’s staff. But Grill still chooses to act like a beast, causing Sir Guyon and the Palmer to lament how some men prefer to remain in filth. They depart.