Question

What is the primary aim of The Faerie Queene, according to Spenser himself?

• A. To provide a historical account of Queen Elizabeth I's reign
• B. To explore the complex theological debates of the Elizabethan era
• C. To fashion a gentleman in virtuous discipline
• D. To offer a satirical commentary on the court of Queen Elizabeth I

Answer 1

Answer:

C. To fashion a gentleman in virtuous discipline

• Spenser explicitly stated that the poem's goal was moral instruction, designed to “fashion a gentleman or noble person in virtuous and gentle discipline.”

• It’s not just epic; it's a didactic allegory.