The Faerie Queene · Chapter
Mutability: The Legend of Constancy explained
The Titaness Mutability challenges the authority of the gods, particularly Cynthia (the Moon), and claims sovereignty over heaven and earth.
What happens
The Titaness Mutability challenges the authority of the gods, particularly Cynthia (the Moon), and claims sovereignty over heaven and earth. She disrupts the natural order, causing darkness and fear among the heavenly hosts. Jove sends Mercury to investigate, and after a confrontation, Mutability appeals to Nature for a judgment. The scene shifts to Arlo-hill in Ireland, where Nature presides over a grand assembly to hear Mutability's plea against Jove and the gods.
Themes in this chapter
Nature and the Supernatural
Nature is personified as the ultimate judge of cosmic disputes, blending natural and supernatural elements in the trial.
Justice and Government
The chapter explores the legitimacy of rule and the appeal to a higher authority (Nature) to settle claims of sovereignty.
Allegory and Symbolism
Mutability's challenge and the trial before Nature allegorize the conflict between change and constancy in the universe.
Characters to notice
- Mutability
The Titaness who boldly challenges Cynthia and claims dominion over heaven and earth, appealing to Nature for justice.
- Cynthia
The Moon goddess whose throne is threatened by Mutability; she maintains her seat with stern resolve.
- Jove
The king of the gods who initially reacts with wrath but later restrains himself, agreeing to let Nature judge the dispute.
- Mercury
The herald of the gods sent by Jove to confront Mutability and report back to the heavenly court.
- Dame Nature
The great goddess of Nature who presides over the trial on Arlo-hill, described as veiled and majestic.
- Molanna
A nymph, daughter of Mole, associated with the river and the landscape of Arlo-hill.
- Faunus
Mentioned in the context of the wood gods who consort with the nymphs on Arlo.
- Diana
Referenced in the backstory of Arlo-hill's desolation due to her spites.
Key passages
“Boldly she bid the Goddesse downe descend, And let her selfe into that Ivory throne; For she her selfe more worthy thereof wend, And better able it to guide alone”
Mutability boldly ordered the Moon goddess to step down, claiming she herself was more worthy to rule and better able to govern alone.
Mutability's direct challenge to Cynthia's authority.
“But to the highest him, that is behight Father of Gods and men by equall might, To weet, the God of Nature, I appeale.”
Mutability appeals to the God of Nature, the highest authority over gods and men, rather than accepting Jove's judgment.
Mutability rejects Jove as a partial judge and invokes Nature's impartiality.
“This great Grandmother of all creatures bred, Great Nature, ever young, yet full of eld; Still mooving, yet unmoved from her sted; Unseene of any, yet of all beheld”
Nature is described as the ancient mother of all creation, eternally youthful yet aged, always in motion yet unchanging, invisible yet seen by all.
The paradoxical description of Nature as both dynamic and constant.
