371. DROWND IN SLEEPIE NIGHT. The phrase
modifies “body,” or is equivalent to “while
I was drowned in sleep.”
382. IN A LIVING WELL, in a well of running water.
This well signifies the healing power of Christianity.
John, iv, 14. In Spenser’s story
this well is never found, and the wretched couple
are never restored to human shape.
404. ALL PASSED FEARE, all fear having passed.
(Canto II)
1. How does the knight feel and act while under
Archimago’s spell? 2. What becomes of Una?
3. How does Archimago plan to deceive her? 4.
Tell the story of the lovers turned into trees. 5.
Who was Sansfoy? 6. Describe the appearance and
character of Duessa. 7. What did she have to do
with Fradubio and Fraelissa? 8. What was the
old belief about the penance of witches? 9. How
only could the lovers be restored to their human shape?
Was it done? 10. Who were St. George, Phoebus,
Titan, Tithonius? 11. Explain the reference to
Chaunticlere in l. 6.
12. Find examples of alliteration in xix;
of balance in xxxvii; and of Latinizing
in xix; xxxvi; xxxviii, and xl.
13. Paraphrase in your own words ll. 111, 134-135,
162 (giving two interpretations); 335, 386-387.
14. What figure of speech is used in xiii,
xvi, and xx?
15. Study the rich word-painting in the description
of sunrise in vii. Find other examples of this
poet’s use of “costly” epithets.
16. Scan the following passages: 148, 174,
178, 193, and 299.
17. Find example of tmesis (separation
of prep. from ob.) in xlv.
18. What is the difference between the two wells
in xliii?
19. To whom do the pronouns in ll. 174, 175 refer?
20. What is the case of heavens
in l. 193? of Sarazin in l. 217?
21. What words are omitted in ll. 188, 313, 398?
I. The Plot: Una wandering in quest of her
Knight is guarded by a Lion. With difficulty
they gain entrance to the cottage of Corceca and her
daughter Abessa, the paramour of Kirkrapine. The
latter is killed by the Lion. Fleeing the next
day, Una falls in with Archimago disguised as the
Redcross Knight. They journey on and meet a second
Saracen knight, Sansloy. In the fight which ensues
Archimago is unhorsed and his deception unmasked.
The Lion is slain, and Una becomes the captive of Sansloy.
II. The Allegory: 1. Truth finds temporary
protection in Reason, or Natural Honor (Lion), and
with its help puts a stop to the Robbing of Churches
(Kirkrapine), which is connived at by Blind Devotion
(Corceca) and Secret Sin (Abessa). Truth is then
associated with Hypocrisy under the guise of Holiness,
but it is soon unmasked by Lawlessness (Sansloy), with
which Truth is forced into an unnatural alliance.
