Previous
Book VI: Canto V
Themes
and Colors
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Faerie Queene, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Virtue, Allegory, and Symbolism
British Identity and Nationalism
Protestantism
Deception and Lies
Love and Friendship
The Role of Women
Summary
Analysis
The wounds the Blatant Beast left in Serena and Timias only continue to fester and grow. The hermit, who was once a proud knight, continues to care for them but notices how serious their wounds are. The hermit knows of the Blatant Beast, and he knows how herbs alone can’t cure the beast’s poisonous bite. He tells them to live a simple ascetic life like him, and soon after they do so, they begin to heal. They are eventually well enough to leave.
The hermit’s cure of living an ascetic life may seem at first to be an unusual one. On the one hand, asceticism can be associated with religion, and so living simply like a monk might improve one’s spiritual health, and ultimately one’s physical health. Since the Blatant Beast’s wounds are related to a person’s reputation, perhaps it is also helpful to withdraw from society to live an isolated life, where reputation isn’t as important.
Active
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
Serena and Timias stick together, since she is fearful and wants protection, and he is courteous. They come to a maiden (Mirabella) in mourning clothes, riding a mangy animal and with a churl and a fool leading them.
This section builds suspense by introducing some strange characters that Serena and Timias encounter before switching over to a different part of the story.
Active
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
Meanwhile, Arthur and the “savage” man go out seeking Sir Turpine as Serena described him. They go to Turpine’s castle, where Arthur pretends to be a mild errant knight who is wounded and needs sanctuary. Arthur is turned away, which enrages the savage man, who starts tearing people up with his teeth like a lion. More people attack Arthur and the savage man, and when they’re beaten back, they go bring the news to Turpine.
Sir Turpine accuses Arthur of cowardly slaying his men, then sends 40 new men over to attack him, but Arthur holds his own. Turpine sees Arthur’s skill and tries to flee, but Arthur spots him and fights his way through the crowd. They run around the castle until at last Turpine is cornered. Arthur smites him on the head, though it’s with the flat of the blade so it doesn’t pierce his skull.
Active
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
Get the entire The Faerie Queene LitChart as a printable PDF.
"My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." -Graham S.
Blandina runs over and covers Sir Turpine with her clothes, pleading for Arthur to show mercy. Arthur holds off on dealing a killing blow. When Blandina backs away to reveal Turpine, he is cowering, and Arthur regrets sparing his life. He scolds Turpine for the wrongs he’s committed against noble knights and ladies. Arthur commands Turpine to give up his knighthood and live a normal life.
Active
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
Arthur goes back to check on the savage man and finds him still ruthlessly attacking Sir Turpine’s men. He orders the savage man to back down. The savage man and Arthur stay at the castle for a little while, and Blandina pretends to be a good hostess, but really, she is just trying to create an opportunity for Turpine to get revenge. But Turpine procrastinates in a cowardly manner, and so Arthur and the savage man leave before anything can happen to them.
Active
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
