This week’s focus is in analyzing The Faerie Queen, specifically Book I. As played out in Cantos VII through XII, The Redcrosse Knight becomes a clear symbol of Christian virtue as carried out by his service to Una on behalf of The Faerie Queen herself. The Redcrosse Knight is so passionate about his desire to persist throughout the first book because of his hardened moral values and holiness to serve by the cross, which he wears as a badge of honor on his shield. To add, his shield and armor carry a mystical charmed value in which he is able to endure encounters with enemies. Here, the text conveys to us the relationship between temptation and holiness. The Redcrosse Knight is described often as a “gentle” knight whose will is carried out by his ability to conquer with physical and mental (moral) prowess. In coming across challenges throughout the text, be it enemies in battle or lustful feelings toward Una, he is weakened and sometimes overcome by anger. Anger is an interesting emotion in the sense that it is unbecoming of a Christian man and even referred to in the Bible as something Jesus Christ experiences publicly. However, as an extension of The Faerie Queen performing the duty of slaying the dragon which guards Una’s parents, The Redcrosse Knight remains chaste and persistent in his quests.
Most notably, The Redcrosse Knight finds himself in a weakened state after drinking from a stream in which his powers begin to fail him. At the conclusion of the tenth canto, The Redcrosse Knight is rehabilitated and subsequently decides to not forgo his life’s duties and rather continue on his quest to the dragon. After asking for God’s grace and to be left in peace away from the fruitlessness of the world he sees, he says, “O holy sire (quoth he) how shall I quight the many fauours I with thee haue found … Great thanks and goodly meed to that good syre …” (Spenser, p 176-177) This can be interpreted as an outpouring of appreciation to the others that have aided The Redcrosse Knight in his health, and Una who remains by his side.
The importance of the virtue of perseverance and thanksgiving in spite of the challenges presented to us is a signal of Christian virtue in which God asks us to bear hardships that fall upon us. In this sense, the teachings of Barsanuphius and John come into play. The reading from Writings from the Philokalia: on Prayer of the Heart warns the children of God to remain strong and without doubt in the face of suffering. Essentially, if a person is unable to endure throughout the hard times, they will not be able to share in the Kingdom of God. Furthermore, the reading states, “… give thanks to God for all that befalls … Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” (written by St. Nikodimos of the Holy Mountain and St. Makarios of Corinth, translated by Kadloubovsky and Palmer and p 346) If an individual is to learn from God, they must accept the turmoil that arises and so be grateful for the opportunity to proceed on our journey in this world. In a similar vein, God does not simply give man renewal, but the opportunity to be renewed through “labours of the flesh.” (written by St. Nikodimos of the Holy Mountain and St. Makarios of Corinth, translated by Kadloubovsky and Palmer and p 346)
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