“Fight! Fight! Fight!”
Hello friendly blogger!
Ah, The Faerie Queene…I actually enjoyed this poem! I’m quite sad we’re finished. Anyway, I’d like to compare and contrast the Redcrosse knight and the dragon during the final battle, which could ultimately help the readers better distinguish good from evil through different subjects.
First of all, the Redcrosse knight had someone that loved him–Una; whereas, the dragon had no other relative…the underlying assumption? If you are a good person (good meaning have a relationship with God), you are rewarded! I’m aware that this conclusion seems pretty elementary, but my points get stronger. Then, as the dragon approaches the RCK, the author describes him “all with brasen scales was armd, / Like plated coate of steele” (11;73-74). As we’ve discussed earlier, armor was known as a sign of weakness, but similarly, RCK carries his sword, which is also seen as weak. With this being said, do you think the author meant to relate the two opposing characters? Could the signs of weakness between the two foreshadow an even match up?
Another difference between the RCK and his foe was the places the two went upon their “breaks” from the action. RCK fell down the Well of Life where he gained strength and replenished himself. On the contrary, the dragon mingled around the woods uplifting trees and what not further angering himself. Do you think that the author meant to oppose the two locations? The woods appeared eerie earlier in the story and that was the location RCK ran into Error. Speaking of Error, both Error and the dragon had “coiled” tails. Is there some sort of connection between a coiled tail? Or is this similar characteristic simply a common physical feature?
So, then, after analyzing the battle, I noticed that it took 3 days for RCK to finally defeat the dragon. Similarly, Jesus rose to heaven on the third day. Don’t get me wrong, I realize that after the discussion we had in class, that there are quite a few associations with the number 3, but I couldn’t help but notice this one. What do you think?
Finally, being that a magical Well of Life and luscious shrubbery appeared each time moments before the dragon was about to kill the RCK, I’ve come to the conclusion that Spenser was emphasizing the power of God. RCK would have been murdered without God’s helping hand. So, could the author be suggesting that no matter how strong a hero may be, God is the ultimate savior? AH HA! That’s it! Unless, you disagree…what are your thoughts on this?
So this makes me wonder if the fight also has any allusion to the Catholic Church—since most parts of this epic do—but since I’m not very familiar with the Catholic/Protestant allusions in the poem, I can’t draw any conclusions. Do you believe that the final battle between RCK and the dragon has any significance towards the church? I’m excited to hear your thoughts on this blog!
Word Count: 493
Hello Back!
I see where you are coming from in drawing a conclusion that Redcrosse, who is good, is rewarded while evil, the dragon, is not. However, I do not think this has to do with the fact that “the knight had someone that loved him […] whereas the dragon had no other relative.” Evil can have relatives, and good can be loved by that which brings no reward. RCK’s relationship with Una definitely plays into this allegorically, since Una is meant to symbolize the one truth of Christianity. It is because he has truth, and is working for truth, that the knight is able to overcome the dragon (sin or evil). The fact that the knight and dragon are both protected by armor draws a similarity between the two, but for me this comparison is overshadowed by the fact that the knight is meant to gain strength from the armor—the armor of God—in the whole point of the allegory, which addresses that a Christian’s strength comes from God not man.
As far as the two “breaks” from the action, both are referring to Redcrosse and thus do not offer a very relevant comparison between the knight and the dragon. Additionally, I do not think it was a wood that RCK chanced into, but rather a glade of some sort with the two trees. Your comparison between this “wood” and that of Errours is interesting, however, as it was Errour that first tested RCK and the Tree of Knowledge that first tested the race of man.
I think you are definitely on the right track in drawing an allegorical comparison between Canto XI and the crucifixion. As you mentioned, it took RCK three days to defeat the dragon as it took Christ three days to defeat Death. Also, it was Eden that Redcrosse was trying to recover from the dragon, as it was the Eden of mankind—a semblance of man’s original state lost in that original fall—that Jesus was attempting to recover from sin. Una can be compared to Mary Magdalene in that she weeps as she lays by the well waiting for a sign that RCK is well.
I also agree in that the appearance of the well and trees shows the necessity of God’s divine Providence, especially since the first can be compared to baptism in that “for unto life the dead it could restore, / And guilt of sinfull crimes cleane wash away.” Similarly, the stream that flows from the Tree of Life is compared to Christ’s blood, which brings life to sinners.
Canto XI definitely continues the political allegory of the struggle between the Protestant and Catholic Churches. First of all, the Dragon (the Catholic Church) persecutes the people and corrupts the soil (the basis Christian faith). Una’s parents can be seen as the good Christians, who must practice their faith locked away in fear of receiving retribution from the Church. Also, it is for the sake of Truth (Una) that Holiness (Redcrosse) defeats the Church (the dragon). Furthermore, Redcrosse was aided twice, by the well and the tree, just as the Protestants were greatly aided by two English rulers: Henry VIII and Elizabeth.
Interesting blog!
Kirsti Ference
Word Count: 536