What the world needs is an epic Steve read-along of this one!

Edmund Spenser is the emperor of penguins with those two volumes. I had my copy of The Faerie Queene at a car mechanic once and dove through the first 200 pages as repairs kept adding up. I like to think of Spenser as the last writer of the medieval tradition with the theme of courtly love and chivalry after it has reached its apex. When I teach physics I always include his Mutabilitie Cantos as a possible definition of energy, and so many of them love that short selection. I’ve had three students in ten years borrow my mass market of Faerie Queene after that to dip into.

I read this during my Masters for a module on Pre-modern Bodies. Absolutely loved it. Think I was the only one in my class who actually read it all.

I have tried countless times to read The Fairy Queen all the way through, but so far haven't made it, perhaps this video will provide the motivation I need.

Love Spenser. Haven’t read FQ too much but very excited to. Learned of him from reading about Milton and his influences.

If I had to make a guess, maybe Don Quixote for next time

I bought it 30 years ago and am only reading it now. 🧚‍♀️👸

You seem to be making a reallt good argument for doing a read a long so you can help us through The Fairy Queene

Interestingly all the editions of the Faerie Queen I encounter in person have been abridged. I first heard about this book from reading the footnotes of my copy of Paradise Lost, where I realized some of the most beautiful parts in that book were plucked in some way from the Faerie Queen. I look forward to reading that book although it seems like a monumental affair. Even Spencer's so called "shorter" poems, such as the Epithalamion are not exactly brisk, easy reads!

Now that we're talking about Spenser and The Faerie Queene, I must know what's your opinion on Michael Moorcock's Gloriana.

Got this a few weeks ago. Pacing myself but loving it.

Hey Steve, thanks for the great vid again! Please consider doing the Author Spotlight series suggested, and so many watchers supported. Looking forward to your hot takes on the big names! Thank you :)

hahh Well at least James Franco taught a semester course on the Fairie Queene (i think)!

I have started reading "The Faerie Queene" today. This is a result of listening to a bow lipped, literary guru fix a Penguin copy of Spencer's classic and this video. I have a copy of Longman's annotated edition, because I need the fulsome notes of Professor A C Hamilton. I have read the Penguin too. I have a life of Spenser on order, which I shall read in November, nearly here now.

@jasonandlynnechambers3420

2 жыл бұрын

I am thinking of getting a copy. How are you finding it so far?

@battybibliophile-Clare

2 жыл бұрын

@@jasonandlynnechambers3420 I am enjoying the edition as it was used for decades in the UK's universities and contains many notes. It is seldom studied here now, but at 75, do I care? I'm reading/ studying slowly and having a great time with it. If you enjoy Chaucer & Shakespeare, this is a great Elizabethan read and gives a fascinating glimpse into the world of chivalry and courtly love.

I read the "orange spined" Faerie Queene (which imprint was it BTW?) And I think as I had no knowledge of Spenser or his poetry beforehand it was hard work. My memories are of feeling Shakespeare had definitely read Spenser or they shared a common source.

Sounds interesting since I like Shakespeare. I think I’m going to look into Spenser. I know nothing about him having just found your channel snd this video.