The Faerie Queene · Chapter
Book II: The Legend of Sir Guyon, or of Temperance explained
This chapter follows Sir Guyon's quest of temperance, featuring his encounter with Mammon in the underworld, the deception of Braggadocchio and Trompart by Archimago, and a confrontation between Prince Arthur and the brothers Pyrochles and
What happens
This chapter follows Sir Guyon's quest of temperance, featuring his encounter with Mammon in the underworld, the deception of Braggadocchio and Trompart by Archimago, and a confrontation between Prince Arthur and the brothers Pyrochles and Cymochles over the body of a fallen knight.
Themes in this chapter
Virtue and Vice
Guyon resists Mammon's temptations, embodying temperance, while Braggadocchio's vanity and Pyrochles' wrath illustrate vice.
Truth and Deception
Archimago deceives Braggadocchio into believing false wrongs, perpetuating the theme of illusion versus reality.
Justice and Government
Prince Arthur's intervention against the brothers' unjust attack on a defenseless knight upholds chivalric justice.
Characters to notice
- Sir Guyon
The knight of temperance, tempted by Mammon but remains steadfast.
- Prince Arthur
Intervenes to protect a sleeping knight from Pyrochles and Cymochles.
- Pyrochles
Fights Prince Arthur after attacking a defenseless knight.
- Cymochles
Joins his brother Pyrochles in attacking Prince Arthur.
- Braggadocchio
Boastful knight deceived by Archimago into seeking revenge.
- Archimago
Manipulates Braggadocchio to target Guyon and the Redcrosse Knight.
Key passages
“First prayse of knighthood is fowle outrage to deface.”
The primary honor of knighthood is to prevent disgraceful violence.
Prince Arthur rebukes the brothers for attacking a defenseless knight.
“To chaunge love causelesse is reproch to warlike knight.”
To change one's love without reason brings shame to a knight.
Guyon refuses Mammon's offer of a spouse, citing his pledged love.
“Such prayse is shame; but honour, vertues meed, Doth beare the fayrest flowre in honourable seed.”
Praise without merit is shameful; true honor is the reward of virtue and grows from noble deeds.
Narrator's commentary on Braggadocchio's vanity.