# The Faerie Queene — Character guide

> Key figures in The Faerie Queene by Edmund Spenser.

- [Prince Arthur](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/prince_arthur.md): The titular knight of magnificence who aids various questing knights throughout Faerie Land.
- [Sir Calidore](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/sir_calidore.md): The Knight of Courtesy on a quest to subdue the Blatant Beast.
- [Sir Artegall](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/sir_artegall.md): The Knight of Justice, sent to rescue Irena from the tyrant Grantorto.
- [Sir Guyon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/sir_guyon.md): The Knight of Temperance who destroys the Bower of Bliss.
- [Britomart](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/britomart.md): The female Knight of Chastity who seeks her destined love Artegall.
- [Redcrosse Knight](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/redcrosse_knight.md): The Knight of Holiness, champion of Una, who slays the dragon.
- [Una](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/una.md): The daughter of a king, representing Truth, who travels with the Redcrosse Knight.
- [Florimell](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/florimell.md): A beautiful lady pursued by many knights, beloved of Marinell.
- [Marinell](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/marinell.md): A knight protected by his mother from love, later won by Florimell.
- [Talus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/talus.md): Artegall's iron man squire, an invincible enforcer of justice.
- [Duessa](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/duessa.md): A deceitful sorceress representing Falsehood, antagonist to Una.
- [Archimago](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/archimago.md): An evil enchanter who creates illusions to deceive knights.
- [Scudamour](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/scudamour.md): A knight who seeks to rescue his lady Amoret from the enchanter Busirane.
- [Amoret](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/amoret.md): The lady of Scudamour, imprisoned by Busirane and later rescued by Britomart.
- [Sir Calepine](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/calepine.md): A courteous knight who aids Serena and battles the Blatant Beast.
- [Serena](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/serena.md): A lady rescued by Sir Calepine from a savage attack.
- [Pastorella](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/pastorella.md): A shepherdess beloved by Sir Calidore, later revealed to be of noble birth.
- [Braggadocchio](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/braggadocchio.md): A boastful and cowardly knight who steals Florimell's girdle.
- [Belphebe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/belphebe.md): A chaste huntress and twin sister of Amoret, representing pure beauty.
- [Timias](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/timias.md): Prince Arthur's loyal squire, who falls in love with Belphebe.
- [Satyrane](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/satyrane.md): A half-satyr knight known for his strength and hospitality.
- [Paridell](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/paridell.md): A deceitful and lustful knight who seduces Hellenore.
- [Hellenore](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/hellenore.md): The unfaithful wife of Malbecco who elopes with Paridell.
- [Malbecco](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/malbecco.md): A jealous old husband who is tormented by his wife's infidelity.
- [Radigund](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/radigund.md): A warrior queen of the Amazons who defeats and enslaves Artegall.
- [Merlin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/merlin.md): The legendary wizard who prophesies Britomart's destiny.
- [Gloriana](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/gloriana.md): The Faerie Queene who sends knights on their quests.
- [Palmer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/palmer.md): Guyon's wise and temperate guide on his quest.
- [Mammon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/mammon.md): The demon of wealth who tempts Guyon in his cave.
- [Pyrochles](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/pyrochles.md): A fiery and wrathful knight, brother of Cymochles.
- [Cymochles](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/cymochles.md): A knight of intemperance and brother of Pyrochles.
- [Até](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/at%C3%A9.md): The goddess of discord and mischief who stirs up strife.
- [Cambell](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/cambell.md): A knight who fights for his sister's love in Book IV.
- [Triamond](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/triamond.md): A knight who becomes Cambell's sworn brother after combat.
- [Cambina](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/cambina.md): The sister of Triamond who brings peace between the knights.
- [Blandamour](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/blandamour.md): A false and fickle knight who pursues Florimell.
- [Grantorto](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/grantorto.md): A giant tyrant who oppresses Irena, slain by Artegall.
- [Irena](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/irena.md): A lady whose kingdom is usurped by Grantorto, rescued by Artegall.
- [Mercilla](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/mercy.md): A queen representing Mercy, who judges Duessa.
- [Adicia](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/adicia.md): A hag representing Injustice, wife of the Souldan.
- [Sansfoy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/sansfoy.md): A Saracen knight representing Faithlessness, slain by Redcrosse.
- [Sansjoy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/sansjoy.md): A Saracen knight representing Joylessness, defeated by Redcrosse.
- [Sansloy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/sansloy.md): A Saracen knight representing Lawlessness, enemy of Una.
- [Coridon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/coridon.md): A shepherd who loves Pastorella but loses her to Calidore.
- [Tristram](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/tristram.md): A young squire who becomes Calidore's page.
- [Sir Turpine](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/turpine.md): A discourteous knight who attacks Calepine and Serena.
- [Briana](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/briana.md): A lady who demands a lock of hair from passing knights.
- [Crudor](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/crudor.md): A cruel knight who forces Briana to collect hair for him.
- [Alma](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/alma.md): The lady of the House of Temperance, representing the soul.
- [Philomela](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/philomela.md): A mythological figure referenced but not a character in the poem.
- [Medina](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/medina.md): A temperate lady who hosts Guyon and debates with her sisters.
- [Perissa](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/perissa.md): Medina's intemperate sister who represents excess.
- [Elissa](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/elissa.md): Medina's other sister who represents deficiency.
- [Sir Huddibras](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/huddibras.md): A knight who fights with Guyon over a lady.
- [Orgoglio](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/orgoglio.md): A giant representing Pride who imprisons the Redcrosse Knight.
- [Despair](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/despair.md): A wretch who tempts knights to suicide in his cave.
- [Fradubio](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/fradubio.md): A knight transformed into a tree by Duessa's sorcery.
- [Aeolus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/aeolus.md): The god of winds who appears in the Mutability Cantos.
- [Mutability](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/mutability.md): A Titaness who challenges the gods' authority over change.
- [Dame Nature](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/dame_nature.md): The judge in Mutability's trial before the gods.
- [Jove](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/jove.md): The king of the gods who opposes Mutability's claim.
- [Cynthia](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/cynthia.md): The moon goddess, also called Phoebe or Diana.
- [Faunus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/faunus.md): A satyr who spies on Diana bathing and is punished.
- [Molanna](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/molanna.md): A river nymph who helps Faunus spy on Diana.
- [Venus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/venus.md): The goddess of love who aids her son Cupid.
- [Cupid](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/cupid.md): The god of love who appears in the House of Busirane.
- [Busirane](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/busirane.md): An evil enchanter who tortures Amoret with love spells.
- [Malecasta](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/malecasta.md): A lustful lady who tries to seduce Britomart.
- [Guyon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/guyon.md): The Knight of Temperance, protagonist of Book II.
- [Charissa](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/charissa.md): A lady representing Charity in the House of Holiness.
- [Fidelia](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/fidelia.md): A lady representing Faith in the House of Holiness.
- [Speranza](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/speranza.md): A lady representing Hope in the House of Holiness.
- [Contemplation](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/contemplation.md): A hermit who shows the Redcrosse Knight his vision.
- [Mordant](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/mordant.md): A knight poisoned by his wife Acrasia in the Bower of Bliss.
- [Amavia](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/amavia.md): Mordant's wife who dies of grief after his poisoning.
- [Acrasia](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/acrasia.md): The enchantress of the Bower of Bliss, representing intemperance.
- [Genius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/genius.md): The porter of the Bower of Bliss, a figure of natural generation.
- [Phaedria](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/phaeacia.md): A wanton lady who ferries knights on the Idle Lake.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters