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Overview
The Faerie Queene is an epic poem by Edmund Spenser that was first published as Books I-III in 1590 and published in its completed form consisting of six books in 1596
. The poem is an allegorical celebration of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and a meditation on the nature of virtue. It follows the adventures of several knights, each of whom represents a different virtue, as they strive to serve the Faerie Queene and her realm. The Faerie Queene is notable for its complex allegory, its rich use of language, and its innovative verse form, the Spenserian stanza. This SparkNotes guide discusses Book I and Book III.Read the free full text for Books I-III, the overall summary of Books I and III, a full list of character descriptions, and mini essays on key topics from The Faerie Queene.
