Rewriting Of Old Legends For A Rising Nation

Instead of an absolute rupture with the Middle Ages as many textbooks or scholars claim to be (especially in China), a natural bridge existed between the Renaissance era and its predecessor. This case was not exceptional for Faerie Queene written by Edmund Spenser, who was the one of the most prominent poets in Renaissance period. This essay is going to indicate that Spenser's choice to write his poem under the tradition of native Arthurian romances contributed as one of his most insightful intelligence. First of all, the rich storage of manuscripts and the popular readership furnished him with abundant sources for the tales and a prospect of interest from the audiences. In the first chapter of this thesis, we can see a great enthusiasm for medieval romance in Renaissance period preceding Edmund Spenser:the writers and the readers both utilized this medium for entertainment and considerable contemplative thoughts were hidden under the veil of these legendary stories. Furthermore, in the first chapter, we can see that Spenser's choice of romance, besides epic, was not an either/or option. Romance, which aspires toward the Edenic mode of ultimate moral stability, is really the goal of the poem as much as it is its kind. Perplexed by the turbulent social and political change, a fantastic world is the best state to fulfill God's providence. For this dimension, Faerie Queene was pursuing the same goal as Shepherds Calendar. In the second chapter, an exploration will be made to find out the tradition of native Arthurian romances Spenser inherited from the medieval times. First of all, the most significant element Spenser borrowed from the medieval romances was the figure of Arthur, an established image with all his prowess and bravery as a warrior, loyalty as a friend, firmness as a leader, passion as a husband, etc. Furthermore, among all the popular matters of romances that were prevalent in medieval times, the matter of Arthurian legends (together with all his round-table knights), was one of the very few matters that was rooted in the local England, other than from the ancient Greco-Roman world or from the European continent. As we know, Elizabethan era witnessed a rising nationhood with all its prosperous wealth and military power. The crown and the nation were in need of poets who could sing panegyrics that were consistent in grandeur and greatness with the rising imperialism. In this sense, tracing back the glorious history of the ancestor of the royal house was the best way to foreshadow the prosperous present and a promising future and Arthur would be the perfect model who was highly idealized. Faerie Queene also borrowed the thematic and narrative patterns of the medieval Arthurian romances. Questing themes was basically repeated in every medieval romances. In Faerie Queene, Spenser was following the model of displaced youths who were trying to find their true identities. In Chapter 3, we can see that Spenser did not end with imitation and compilation. In the light of Protestant ideology and rising imperialism, Spenser's ultimate goal is not to portray an ancient king and the chivalric heroes. The Queen who is on the throne and the country she is leading are all he is concerned. For Spenser was not just a singer living in a fantasy world; he was an enthusiast of politics who saw clearly the great destiny of his nation. He also was aware of the potential and public threatens England was facing, both political and religious. Under his pen, his heroes and heroines undertake the task of defending England from the foes resided in the European continent.