The Faerie Queene
The Faerie Queene
by Edmund Spenser
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Although the narrator of the poem doesn’t draw attention to himself for much of the story, he addresses the reader in the proem for each book and sometimes comments on the action, particularly in the first couple stanzas of a canto. The narrator resembles narrator characters from ancient Greek and Roman epic poems, often calling on the Muses to help tell his story better.

Narrator Quotes in The Faerie Queene

The The Faerie Queene quotes below are all either spoken by Narrator or refer to Narrator. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Virtue, Allegory, and Symbolism Theme Icon
).

Book I: Proem Quotes

Lo I the man, whose Muse whilome did maske,
As time her taught in lowly Shepheards weeds,
Am now enforst a far unfitter taske,
For trumpets sterne to chaunge mine Oaten reeds,
And sing of Knights and Ladies gentle deeds;

Related Characters: Narrator (speaker)
Related Literary Devices:
Page Number and Citation: 39
Explanation and Analysis:
This quote is from the proem (introductory part) of the first book of The Faerie Queene, and it introduces the narrator of the poem, who is very much a character of his own. The narrator starts this long epic poem by calling on the help of his Muse. Muses are ancient Greek and Roman goddesses of the arts and sciences, and many ancient epic poems (like Homer’s Odyssey or Vergil’s Aeneid) also started with the narrator asking the Muses for help telling the story. Both the plots and the characters of The Faerie Queene draw inspiration from classical epic poetry, Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo

Book I: Canto IV Quotes

Young knight, what ever that does armes professe,
And through long labours huntest after fame,
Beware of fraud, beware of ficklenesse,
In choice, and change of thy deare loved Dame

Related Characters: Narrator (speaker), Redcross Knight, Duessa, Una
Page Number and Citation: 79
Explanation and Analysis:
This quote by the narrator of the poem comes at the beginning of Book I, Canto IV and poses some advice directly to a potential reader. Many cantos begin with commentary from the narrator, sometimes framed as advice to a reader, other times just presented as general musings. Often, these commentaries deal with the virtue or vice that is most important to the action of the canto. Here, for example, the narrator warns of “fraud” and “ficklenesse.” While the narrator’s advice is general, it could also be interpreted specifically as a warning to the Redcross Knight to beware the tricky Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sin

Book I: Canto XII Quotes

Now strike your sailes ye jolly Mariners,
For we come unto a quiet rode,
Where we must land some of our passengers,
And light this wearie vessel of her lode.

Related Characters: Narrator (speaker), Redcross Knight, Una
Page Number and Citation: 202
Explanation and Analysis:
This quote by the narrator ends the last canto of the first book of The Faerie Queene and helps establish how the different books of the poem will have an episodic structure. The nautical metaphor, particularly the part about how it’s time to “land some of our passengers,” suggests that the poem itself is a long journey, and that “passengers” (i.e., the characters in the story) will be coming and going at different parts of the narrative. Although this passage implies that the story of the Redcross Knight and Una has reached its end, in fact the Redcross Knight will Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Exp

Book III: Proem Quotes

It falls me here to write of Chastity
That fairest virtue, farre above the rest;
For which what needs me fetch from Faery
Forreine ensamples, it to have exprest?
Sith it is shrined in my Soveraines brest

Related Characters: Narrator (speaker), Britomart
Related Literary Devices:
Page Number and Citation: 383
Explanation and Analysis:
This quote from the proem to Book III finds the narrator musing on the concept of chastity. While the entire poem is filled with references to Queen Elizabeth and characters that are specifically intended to represent (and often flatter) her, this is one of the few cases of a direct mention of her (referred to here as “my Soveraine”). In case there was ever any doubt, this passage confirms that The Faerie Queene’s obsession with chastity has a direct link to Queen Elizabeth, a monarch whose famously unmarried status was controversial during her reign. Because some British citizens thought Queen Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta i

Book IV: Canto I Quotes

Of lovers sad calamities of old,
Full many piteous stories doe remaine,
But none more piteous ever was ytold,
Then that of Amorets hart-binding chaine,
And this of Florimels unworthie paine

Related Characters: Narrator (speaker), Florimell, Marinell, Britomart, Sir Scudamore, Amoretta (Amoret)
Page Number and Citation: 383
Explanation and Analysis:
This passage from near the beginning of Book IIII mentions the characters of Amoretta (also sometimes called Amoret) and Florimell, two fair maidens who play an important role in the upcoming cantos. Book IIII is unusual because while its subtitle suggests that it will be about the friendship of Cambell and Triamond, in fact those characters play a comparatively small role in the book. One of the major plots of the book involves the long journey to reunite Amoretta (recently saved by Britomart) with her lover Scudamore. A different but similar plot involves reuniting Florimell with her lover Marinell, as Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nes

Book IV: Canto II Quotes

Though now their acts be no where to be found
As that renowned Poet them compyled,
With warlike numbers and Heroicke sound,
Dan Chaucer well of English undefiled,
On Fames eternall beadroll worthie to be fyled.

Related Characters: Narrator (speaker), Cambell, Canacee, Cambina, Priamond, Diamond, and Triamond
Page Number and Citation: 587
Explanation and Analysis:
This quote describes the two characters Cambell and Triamond, who originally appeared in Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and who reappear in different versions in The Faerie Queene. While classical Greek and Roman epic poems are one of the main influences on Spenser’s writing, one of the other big influences was medieval writing, particularly Chaucer’s. At the time Spenser wrote, Chaucer had been dead for almost 200 years and was well-regarded. Spenser presents the adventures of Cambell and Triamond as if they are real stories that happened in the past and which Chaucer simply didn’t have the time to record. When Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim

Book V: Canto I Quotes

And such was he, of whome I have to tell,
The Champion of true Justice Artegall.
Whom (as ye lately mote remember well)
An hard adventure, which did then befall,
Into redoubted perill forth did call.

Related Characters: Narrator (speaker), Arthegall, Britomart, Gloriana (The Faerie Queene)
Page Number and Citation: 727
Explanation and Analysis:
This quote from near the beginning of Book V reintroduces the character of Arthegall, who appeared in previous cantos but who is elevated to the status of main character in Book V. Just as previous books focused on a particular virtue, Book V is all about justice. While the knights in the previous books all fought well, Arthegall is one of the most violent knights in the story, reflecting how this poem’s version of justice often demands harsh consequences. Nevertheless, Arthegall also has moments where he shows more restrained judgment and even mercy, suggesting that justice requires a range of Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perfere

Book VI: Canto I Quotes

But mongst them all was none more courteous Knight,
Then Calidore, beloved over all,
in whom it seemes that gentlenesse of spright
And manners mylde were planted naturall

Related Characters: Narrator (speaker), Sir Turpine, Calidore
Related Symbols: Faerie Court
Page Number and Citation: 878
Explanation and Analysis:
This quote, from near the beginning of the sixth and final book of The Faerie Queene, introduces the character of Sir Calidore, a knight who is defined by his courtesy. Courtesy was an important part of chivalry, and it involved more than simply good manners. Hospitality and, in particular, the willingness to do good deeds for strangers were both important parts of courtesy, and Sir Calidore embodies all these traits. The villains in Book VI, like Sir Turpine, are defined not just by the evil things they do but also by the good things they refuse to do. Being a Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo m

Book VI: Canto VI Quotes

No wound, which warlike hand of enemy
Inflicts with dint of sword, so sore doth light,
As doth the poysnous sting, which infamy
Infixeth in the name of noble wight:
For by no art, nor any leaches might
It ever can recured be againe;

Related Characters: Narrator (speaker), The Blatant Beast, Calidore
Page Number and Citation: 938
Explanation and Analysis:
This musing by the narrator from near the beginning of Canto VI of Book VI reflects on how a wound to a noble person’s reputation can be even worse than a physical wound. This statement is validated by the actions of all the virtuous knights in the story, who are so concerned with their reputations that they will do anything to avoid being seen as cowardly or discourteous. The comparison of wounds to a reputation to a “poysnous sting” is a clear comparison to the Blatant Beast, a creature with many tongues who also poisons people that it bites. The Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi nec

Book VI: Canto XII Quotes

Ne may this homely verse, of many meanest,
Hope to escape his venomous despite,
More than my former writes, all were they clearest
From blamefull blot, and free from all that wite,
With which some wicked tongues did it backebite,
and bring into a mighty Peres displeasure,
That never so deserved to endite.
Therefore do you my rimes keep better measure,
And seeke to please, that now is counted wisemens threasure.

Related Characters: Narrator (speaker), The Blatant Beast
Page Number and Citation: 1023
Explanation and Analysis:
This quote ends The Faerie Queene (not counting any of the “Cantos of Mutabilitie,” which were published after Spenser’s death). It’s not clear if this is the ending that Spenser would have picked for his epic, given that he still planned six more books at the time of his death, but it nevertheless provides a fitting conclusion. The narrator of the poem, who is a sort of stand-in for Spenser, writes that he knows his poetry isn’t much, but he hopes the reader will ignore critics and still find something in his writing to like. This message is particularly interesting Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit
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Narrator Character Timeline in The Faerie Queene

The timeline below shows where the character Narrator appears in The Faerie Queene. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Book I: Proem
Virtue, Allegory, and Symbolism Theme Icon
British Identity and Nationalism Theme Icon
Protestantism Theme Icon
The Role of Women Theme Icon
The narrator of the poem calls out to a muse, imitating the style of other famous and... (full context)
Book I: Canto III
Virtue, Allegory, and Symbolism Theme Icon
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Protestantism Theme Icon
Love and Friendship Theme Icon
The Role of Women Theme Icon
The narrator laments that fair Una is in trouble. Nevertheless, she remains faithful as she wanders in... (full context)
Book I: Canto IX
Virtue, Allegory, and Symbolism Theme Icon
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Love and Friendship Theme Icon
The Role of Women Theme Icon
The narrator praises the knightly chivalry that led Prince Arthur to help free the Redcross Knight from... (full context)
Book I: Canto X
Virtue, Allegory, and Symbolism Theme Icon
Protestantism Theme Icon
The narrator suggests that humans shouldn’t be vain because all their strength and bravery come directly from... (full context)
Book I: Canto XI
Virtue, Allegory, and Symbolism Theme Icon
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Love and Friendship Theme Icon
The Role of Women Theme Icon
...Redcross Knight asks Una to stand aside, so that he can go into battle. The narrator calls upon a muse as well as on Mars, the god of war, as he... (full context)
Virtue, Allegory, and Symbolism Theme Icon
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The narrator wonders whether the Redcross Knight’s blade was strengthened in the well. In any case, the... (full context)
Book I: Canto XII
Virtue, Allegory, and Symbolism Theme Icon
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The narrator says that he can see a safe journey’s end for Una and the Redcross Knight.... (full context)
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...Queene. Shortly after the wedding he does so, leaving Una to mourn his absence. The narrator says that this part of the story is like when sailors land to drop off... (full context)
Book II: Proem
Virtue, Allegory, and Symbolism Theme Icon
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The narrator admits that he doesn’t know where faerie land is exactly, but he talks about other... (full context)
Book II: Canto IX
Virtue, Allegory, and Symbolism Theme Icon
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...lands around them. The craftsmanship of the rooms up there is so amazing that the narrator can’t even describe it. The most important rooms hold three sages. (full context)
Book II: Canto X
British Identity and Nationalism Theme Icon
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The narrator talks about how nothing under the sun has ever been as glorious as Britain. The... (full context)
British Identity and Nationalism Theme Icon
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...from Rome invades Britain. Caesar conquers the land, at the cost of great bloodshed. (The narrator foreshadows that Arthur will one day rise up against the Romans.) (full context)
British Identity and Nationalism Theme Icon
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...Sir Guyon has been reading his separate book on the history of faerie land. The narrator claims that the book is too long to fully summarize, so he just gives some... (full context)
Book III: Proem
Virtue, Allegory, and Symbolism Theme Icon
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The narrator announces that he’d like to write about Chastity, which he believes is the highest of... (full context)
Book III: Canto III
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The narrator calls again on his Muse to make sure he does justice to the glory of... (full context)
Book III: Canto IV
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The narrator says that even the heroes of old from Homer’s time can’t compare with Britomart. After... (full context)
Book III: Canto V
Virtue, Allegory, and Symbolism Theme Icon
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...perhaps he has been poisoned. She continues to exhibit exemplary care for Timias, and the narrator also praises her chastity. (full context)
Book III: Canto VI
Virtue, Allegory, and Symbolism Theme Icon
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The narrator begins to describe the birth of Belphoebe and how she became so perfect in her... (full context)
Virtue, Allegory, and Symbolism Theme Icon
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...fall in love with a great knight named Scudamore and face many challenges, but the narrator says that’s another story. The narrator says it’s time to return to the current story. (full context)
Book III: Canto VIII
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The narrator regrets that it’s time to turn away from Florimell back to the adventures of Sir... (full context)
Book III: Canto IX
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The narrator promises that he’ll finally explain why Paridell and Sir Satyrane aren’t being allowed into the... (full context)
Book III: Canto XI
Virtue, Allegory, and Symbolism Theme Icon
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The narrator laments the existence of foul Jealousy and praises instead the chaste love of Britomart. Shortly... (full context)
Book IV: Proem
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The narrator reflects on how he’s spent a lot of time recently praising love, perhaps too much... (full context)
Book IV: Canto I
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The narrator summarizes how Britomart saved Amoretta from Busirane and brought her back to Scudamore, adding some... (full context)
Book IV: Canto II
Virtue, Allegory, and Symbolism Theme Icon
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...and the others run into Cambell and Triamond with their ladies, Cambine and Canacee. The narrator mentions that these two knights are actually characters from Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, and many stories... (full context)
Book IV: Canto VII
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The narrator laments how Cupid’s arrows can bring down even the greatest: it happened to Florimell, it... (full context)
Book IV: Canto VIII
Virtue, Allegory, and Symbolism Theme Icon
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The narrator interrupts to note how, on the surface, it might seem improper for Arthur to be... (full context)
Book IV: Canto IX
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The narrator praises friendship, which, though different from love, is similar and virtuous in its own way.... (full context)
Book IV: Canto XI
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The guest list at the feast is so long and illustrious that the narrator calls on Clio, a Muse who was nursed by Memory, in order to remember everyone.... (full context)
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...Following the rivers are many, many sea nymphs. After listing off so many guests, the narrator says he has tired himself out and must switch over to the next Canto. (full context)
Book IV: Canto XII
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Even after listing so many wedding guests at Proteus’s house, the narrator says he left off several names. At the wedding is also Marinell’s mother the nymph... (full context)
Book V: Proem
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The narrator laments that compared to the antique world, the modern world is corrupted and lacking in... (full context)
Book V: Canto X
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The narrator praises mercy, a virtue that Mercilla has in abundance. Duessa is seen as guilty by... (full context)
Book VI: Proem
Virtue, Allegory, and Symbolism Theme Icon
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The narrator says that variety is what keeps him from getting bored as he continues through the... (full context)
Book VI: Canto II
Virtue, Allegory, and Symbolism Theme Icon
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According to the narrator, courtesy is the most fitting virtue for knights in love with ladies. As Calidore continues... (full context)
Book VI: Canto XII
Virtue, Allegory, and Symbolism Theme Icon
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...knights. He gets so powerful that no one can ever chain him up again. The narrator says that even his own poem isn’t free from venomous words, but he hopes that... (full context)