Una's Place in "The Faerie Queene"

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the character of Una, in Edmund Spenser's "The Faerie Queene." It describes Una's symbolic nature in the epic poem and the role that she plays and the relationship that she has with the other characters. The paper suggests that Una's role in the Faerie Queene is an allegory for truth and the Protestant Church and describes how this is so.

From the Paper:

"Una, in Edmund Spenser's The Faerie Queene, is pure and virtuous. Throughout the novel she provides the Redcrosse Knight with the mental guidance he needs to overcome the obstacles that he must face. She symbolizes the Truth of the Protestant church that must provide direction for the Holiness that Redcrosse represents, saving him from certain doom on several occasions. The relationship works both ways, however; Una also needs saving. Without believers to protect it, the truth can be overcome by evil. In addition to Redcrosse, there are also natural elements that come to Una's aid, such as the lion and the satyrs and faunes of the woods. These natural elements represent nature in general and their relationship to Una is shown to be one of deference to God's truth, as natural law is derived from divine power. The foil to Una is Duessa, who tricks Redcrosse into believing that she is the beautiful lady named Fidessa and uses her power to lead him first to the House of Pride, whereas Una takes him to the House of Holiness."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Spenser, Edmund; Translated by Hamilton, Albert Charles, Yamashita, Hiroshi, and Suzuki, Toshiyuki. The Queene. Longman: London 2001

More papers on Una's Place in "The Faerie Queene":

• Analytical Essay # 131904 : "Comic Effects in "The Faerie Queene"
• Analytical Essay # 16125 : "Good and Evil in "The Faerie Queene"
• Poem Review # 106760 : "The Faerie Queene"

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