Question: Discuss different allegories in The Faerie Queene Book-I.

Or, Discuss the allegorical significance of the Red Cross Knight-Una relationship.

Answer: An allegory is a detailed description of one thing under the guise of another. A story, which is outwardly plain may have a hidden meaning. When two parallel meanings are presented in a story with the purpose of moral instruction, it becomes an allegory. The Book I of The Faerie Queene contains allegories at different levels such as (i) Moral and spiritual (ii) Religious (iii) Personal and political. In this famous book of allegory, Edmund Spenser shows the interaction of virtues and vices, and finally the triumph of virtue. The good characters stand for the various virtues and the bad characters stand for the corresponding vices.

The Red Cross Knight, bearing the sign of the Cross on his armour and also on his shield, stands for Holiness. The cross is a symbol of the crucifixion of Lord Jesus Christ, and the red colour symbolises the blood of Christ. Therefore, he is an ardent follower of the teachings of Christ. Lady Una stands for Truth, Goodness and Wisdom. Her parents symbolise Human race, and the Dragon who has imprisoned them stands for evil. The mission of Holiness is to help Truth fight. Evil thus regains its rightful place in the human heart. At the religious level, the Reformation of Churches may be interpreted allegorically. The Red Cross at this level stands for the Reformed Church of England, fighting the corruption, Pride and manifold evils of the Papacy, Paganism and Catholicism. The parents of Lady Una represent humanity and the foul Dragon who has imprisoned them, is the Pope of Rome. Archimago Symbolises the hypocrisy of the Papacy, and Duessa is essentially Falsehood.

The mission of Una (wisdom) is to restore her parents to freedom and in her encounter, she is helped by the Red Cross Knight. In other words, the people of England (the followers of the Reformed Church) had to face the combined might of Pope and Philip II of Spain (represented by Orgoglio), and to struggle against the evils and corruptions of the Catholic Church in order to restore the true Church of England.

At the personal and political level of the allegory, Queen Elizabeth is Gloriana, The Fairy Queen and the pride and glory of England, who sets various adventures with her knights, symbolising the courtiers of the queen of England, and the Red Cross Knight is one of them, Lord Leicester is Arthur, Mary Stuart is Duessa, Lord Grey Wilton, Governor of Ireland who delivered Ireland, is Artegal delivering Irena from Grantorto. In this way, there are many other personal and historical references.

Let us now elaborate on the relationship between the Red Cross Knight and Lady Una. The journey of the Red Cross Knight (Holiness) along with Una (Truth) signifies the spiritual journey of a man through the dangers of life towards ultimate Truth and perfection. The Red Cross Knight and Una start their adventure of releasing her parents (humanity) from the Dragon, symbolising atheism and heresy. On their way, they encounter the monster Error who is defeated by the knight. Allegorically it means that when Holiness and Truth are united, Error and Evil cannot cause any harm to a holy person. Holiness emboldened by the power of Truth will always overpower Error:

Having vanquished the first enemy, the Red Cross Knight encounters another more dangerous form of evil, Hypocrisy in the person of Archimago. The Red Cross Knight fails to see through the guiles of Archimago, who with the help of his magic succeeds in separating the Red Cross Knight from Una. Allegorically it means a divorce of Holiness from Truth. So long as Holiness and Truth are united, they are invincible, but as soon as they are separated, each of them falls victim to various dangers and deceptions. Allegorically it also means that a holy person is likely to fall a victim to the machinations of a hypocrite. Archimago, the hypocrite with his seemingly holy look and way of living can easily delude Holiness and separate Holiness from Truth.

Being separated from Una, the Red Cross. Knight happens to meet Sansfoy (Infidelity) in company with Duessa (Falsehood). Sansfoy is defeated by the Knight but he is seduced by Duessa. This means, Holiness is strong enough to face the challenge of Infidelity but it is not fortified against Falsehood, particularly when it is detached from Truth. Then the R.C.K. in company with Duessa goes to the house of Lucifera (Pride).

The poet then turns to Truth (Una) separated from Holiness (R.C.K). Truth is powerful and is immediately attended to and defended by the Lion (natural nobility). The Corceca, Krikrapine, and Abessa- episode also has got allegorical meaning. These three together represent both superstition and the degradation of the Roman Catholic. religious practices. The Lion kills Kirkrapine, showing how Truth (Una) does indeed put an end to the abuses of superstitions. Una again meets Archimago (Hypocriosy) whom she mistakes for the Red Cross Knight, and travels a little way under his guidance. Soon they are met by Sansloy (lawlessness) who kills Archimao and takes her captive, but she is ultimately delivered from Sansloy by Sir Satyrane (natural heroic activity). Allegorically this means that in the state of lawlessness, Truth is suppressed. But Truth by its natural forces overcomes the dangers.

The Red Cross Knight’s stay at the house of Lucifera (Pride) shows the predicament of a moral man when he is dissociated from Truth. The Red Cross Knight (Holiness) being under the influence Duessa (Falsehood) is assailed by various evils like pride, idleness, gluttony, envy, lust etc. A long association with vices weakens Holiness and he loses the strength in arms. In that weakened condition, Holiness (R.C.K.) is attacked by Orgoglio (Carnal pride) and thrown into a dungeon. Allegorically this means that when Holiness is without Truth, it will fall victim to various evils.

Meanwhile, Dwarf (Humility) takes the Red Cross Knight’s arms and finds Una tells her about the captivity of her lord. Una, in the midst of her mourning, meets Prince Arthur (The virtue of magnificence) who kills Orgoglio and liberates the Red Cross Knight. In the House of Holiness, the Red Cross Knight is cured of his ailments, both physical and mental. Then the Red Cross Knight in company with Una is able to defeat and kill the Dragon (The devil or Satan) who had imprisoned her parents (humanity).

Thus there lies a close relationship between The Red Cross Knight and Una. We have seen that when the R.C.K. (Holiness) is united with Una (Truth), they, being aided by Prince Arthur (Magnificence) can defeat the vices and evils, and establish a reign of freedom, peace and perfect faith.