Edmund Spenser
Book Description
This scholarly exploration reveals how Edmund Spenser's Protestant faith profoundly shaped his poetic imagination during the Elizabethan era. Rather than focusing solely on classical influences or Renaissance traditions, Anthea Hume examines how Spenser's religious convictions infused his greatest works with deeper spiritual meaning.
Through careful analysis of The Shepheardes Calender and The Faerie Queene, Hume demonstrates how Spenser's poetry emerges from the rich tapestry of Elizabethan Protestant thought. She connects the poet's words, imagery, and narrative episodes to the sermons, biblical commentaries, devotional writings, and theological debates that surrounded him.
This approach offers readers a new lens for understanding how spiritual conviction can transform artistic expression. By situating Spenser within his religious context, Hume reveals layers of meaning that previous scholarship overlooked. The book shows how Protestant theology provided not just subject matter but a fundamental way of seeing and interpreting the world that permeated every aspect of Spenser's creative work.
For those interested in the intersection of faith and literature, this study illuminates how deeply held beliefs can shape artistic vision. It demonstrates how understanding an author's spiritual framework can unlock richer interpretations of their work, offering insights into the creative process itself and the ways religious thought influences poetic imagination.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~6 hours)
📄 Length: 202 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore History and criticism
- ✓ Explore Spenser, edmund, 1552?-1599
- ✓ Explore Protestantism and literature--history
- ✓ Explore Christian poetry, history and criticism
- ✓ Explore Faerie queene (Spenser, Edmund)
- ✓ Explore Protestantism and literature
- ✓ Explore Christianity and literature--history
- ✓ Explore Pr2367.r4 h8 1984
