# Canto IX explained — The Faerie Queene

> Chapter companion for The Faerie Queene by Edmund Spenser.

## What happens

Prince Arthur recounts his mysterious lineage and upbringing by Timon and Merlin, and confesses his love-inspired quest. The Redcrosse Knight, Una, and Arthur then encounter Sir Trevisan fleeing from Despair, a figure who tempts the Redcrosse Knight with arguments for suicide. The knight nearly succumbs but is saved by Una's intervention.

## Themes in this chapter

### Religion and Morality

Despair's arguments twist Christian doctrine to justify suicide, while Una's intervention reaffirms the virtue of hope and divine mercy.

### Truth and Deception

Despair uses deceptive rhetoric to present death as a release, masking the sin of self-murder.

### Virtue and Vice

The canto contrasts the vice of despair with the virtue of hope, embodied by Una's timely rescue.

## Character check-ins

### Prince Arthur

Reveals his unknown lineage, upbringing by Timon and Merlin, and his quest driven by a love-wound.

### Redcrosse Knight

Nearly driven to suicide by Despair's rhetoric, but is rescued by Una.

### Una

Requests Arthur's story and later saves the Redcrosse Knight from Despair.

### Archimago

Mentioned as the one who imprisoned the Redcrosse Knight, leading to his rescue by Arthur.

### Duessa

Referenced by Despair as the false lady with whom the Redcrosse Knight defiled himself.

### Despair

The antagonist of the canto, who tempts the Redcrosse Knight to suicide with persuasive arguments.

## Key lines

> O goodly golden chayne, wherewith yfere / The vertues linked are in lovely wize

The virtues are linked together like a beautiful golden chain.

_Opening stanza praising the interconnectedness of virtues._

> For both the lignage, and the certein Sire, / From which I sprong, from mee are hidden yitt

I do not know my lineage or my father.

_Arthur confesses his unknown parentage._

> Ah, Love! lay down thy bow, the whiles I may respyre.

Love, stop shooting your arrows so I can catch my breath.

_Arthur's plea to Cupid as he recounts his love-wound._

> Sleepe after toyle, port after stormie seas, / Ease after warre, death after life, does greatly please.

Death is as welcome as rest after labor or harbor after a storm.

_Despair's seductive argument for suicide._

> The knight was much enmoved with his speach, / That as a swords poynt through his hart did perse

The knight was deeply shaken by Despair's words, which pierced his heart like a sword.

_Redcrosse Knight's emotional vulnerability to Despair's rhetoric._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-ix
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters