QUESTIONS AND TOPICS
1. What moral reflections does the poet make in the introductory stanza? Note the reference to the Queen. 2. What do you learn of the laws, customs, and sentiments of chivalry in this canto? 3. Give an account of Una's meeting with the Lion. 4. Explain the allegory of the incident of the Lion. 5. Describe the character, appearance, and actions of Corceca, and explain the allegory. 6. Note the use of the stars to indicate time. 7. Under what circumstances does Una meet Archimago? 8. Explain the allegory in [ix]. 9. Note the Euphuistic balance in [xxvii]. 10. What figure do you find in [xxxi]? Note the Homeric style. 11. Describe the fight between Archimago and Sansloy, and explain the double allegory. 12. What is the moral interpretation of [xli]-xlii?
13. Explain the Latinisms in ll. [37] and [377]. 14. How are the adjectives used in l. [57]? 15. Note change of pronouns in [vii] from third person to first. 16. Explain tense of shold pas in l. [83]. 17. Note confusion of pronouns in [xxii] and [xxxv]. 18. Examine the nominative absolute construction in st. [xiv] and [xxxix]. 19. Explain the ambiguous construction in l. [165]. 20. Parse her in l. [262]. 21. Note careless use of relative in l. [288].
[CANTO IV]
I. The Plot: In this and the following canto the adventures of the Redcross Knight are continued from [Canto II]. Guided by Duessa, he enters the House of Pride. There he sees Lucifera, the Queen of Pride, attended by her sinful court. Her six Counselors are described in detail, with an account of a pleasure trip taken by the Queen and her court. Sansjoy unexpectedly arrives and challenges the Knight to mortal combat for the shield of Sansfoy. That night Duessa holds a secret conference with the Saracen knight.
II. The Allegory: 1. The Christian Soldier, under the influence of false ideals (Duessa), is exposed to the temptations of the Seven Deadly Sins, chief among which is Pride. In the midst of these sinful pleasures, he is assailed by Joylessness, on whose side is Falsehood secretly.
2. The religious and political allegory is here vague and somewhat discontinuous. There is a hint, however, of the attempts of Mary Queen of Scots to bring England back to Romanism. The pride and corruption of the false church and its clergy are set forth. There is also a suggestion of the perilous position of the English in Ireland.
[20.] of each degree and place, of every rank and order of society.
[21.] having scaped hard, having escaped with difficulty.