The Faerie Queene · Chapter
Sonnet V explained
The poet dedicates this sonnet to the Earl of Cumberland, praising his courageous mind and flowering chivalry, and offering the work as a humble present meant to inspire honor and magnanimity through the example of past heroes.
What happens
The poet dedicates this sonnet to the Earl of Cumberland, praising his courageous mind and flowering chivalry, and offering the work as a humble present meant to inspire honor and magnanimity through the example of past heroes.
Themes in this chapter
Chivalry and Knighthood
The sonnet celebrates the Earl's chivalric virtues, describing his mind as bearing the flower of chevalry and promising fruit worthy of his noble lineage.
Virtue and Vice
The poet emphasizes love of virtue and martial praise, urging the Earl to pursue honor and magnanimity through the example of virtuous deeds from past ages.
Key passages
“Redoubted Lord, in whose corageous mind The flowre of chevalry, now bloosming faire, Doth promise fruite worthy the noble kind Which of their praises have left you the haire;”
Dreaded Lord, in whose brave mind the flower of chivalry, now blooming beautifully, promises fruit worthy of the noble lineage that has bequeathed their praises to you as heir.
The poet praises the Earl's inherent chivalric qualities and noble heritage.
“Yet brave ensample of long passed daies, In which trew honor yee may fashiond see, To like desire of honor may ye raise, And fill your mind with magnanimitee.”
Yet the brave example of days long past, in which you may see true honor fashioned, may raise in you a similar desire for honor and fill your mind with magnanimity.
The poet suggests that studying past heroes will inspire the Earl to emulate their honor and greatness.