The Faerie Queene: A Reader's Guide

The first great epic poem in the English language, The Faerie Queene is a long and complex allegory that presents the first-time reader with many difficulties of allusion and interpretation. This book, designed as a handbook to be consulted by students while reading the poem, is the only convenient and up-to-date guide available. Religious and political contexts are explained, while the analysis of Spenser's literary techniques encourages close reading. This revised edition takes account of recent developments in Spenserian criticism, and brings the guidance on further reading up to date.

• 1999 is the 400th anniversary of the death of Edmund Spenser
• An accessible reading of the entire poem in clear language, designed for the student approaching the poem for the first time
• Provides critical, historical, religious, political and literary contexts
• New edition, revised and updated to take account of major recent developments in Spenser scholarship