Una and the Redcrosse Knight, Sir Guyon or of Temperance, and Britomartis or Chastity: plot summary, main characters, and selected paintings.
Spenser
Two additional cantos from a 7th book not published until after Spenser’s death. They tell of a battle between change and the gods: does change rule us all?
Coridon is proven to be cowardly, when Sir Calidore saves Pastorella from a tiger. She’s taken captive by brigands, and her true identity revealed.
Turpine’s final treachery, a lady whose conceit leads to an exacting punishment, Serena almost sacrificed and eaten, and Calidore falls in love.
A woodsman rescues Calepine and Serena, Calepine rescues a baby from a bear then gives him away. Serena is helped by Prince Arthur, and Turpine is defeated.
Sir Calidore is the most courteous and mild-mannered of knights, and sets out on his quest to kill the Blatant Beast.
Prince Arthur rescues Belge from a tyrannical giant with three bodies, and Artegall completes his quest by killing the giant who had been oppressing Irena.
After a bitter fight, Britomart kills the Amazon queen and releases her slaves, including Artegall, who later resumes his quest and disposes of the enemy of Queen Mercilla.
Artegall and his iron servant Talus progress on his quest. They come across Amazons who, led by their queen, capture knights, put them in women’s clothes and force them to perform women’s work like spinning. This fate is in store for Artegall too.
Artegall’s origins and the nature of his quest are revealed. He and his iron servant Talus deal with a knight who killed his lady, a Saracen extorting money as a bridge toll, and a horse thief is revealed at a wedding.
