Each person in society has their own personal identity and their own way of developing as individuals and as a human being. One of the many examples that discusses and examines this issue, in Renaissance literature, is Edmund Spenser's epic poem Faerie Queene, which he began to write in 1590, until his death in 1599. The tale of Book 1 of the epic poem Faerie Queene reveals a concept of identity and a certain development of one's self in several of the characters, which the author either associates and connects with on an individual or religious level.
First of all, the author discusses and subtly demonstrates this concept of identity and development of one's self on a more individual and personal level. One of the best ways to develop as individuals and human beings and find our own identity is by making our own mistakes. Spenser shows and demonstrates that it is common for human beings to make mistakes, but we can all learn from our mistakes and change, in order to become better people. The author shows that it is by making these mistakes that, not only we may become better people, but also have a better sense of who we are as individuals and human beings and a better idea of our identity and/or who we want to be.
One of the several examples of this type of individual identity and development and change may be seen in the character of Redcrosse, a knight and the hero of the story of Book 1 of the Faerie Queene. In Spenser's epic poem, Redcrosse makes the mistake of being seduced by and falling for Duessa and choosing this seductress over the woman he loves, Una.
He eventually realizes his mistake that he has fallen into Duessa's trap, that he made a mistake and regrets his action and the choice that he has made. He then seeks to purify himself from this mistake, reclaim his true identity, which he had at the beginning of the story, and find the woman he loves and help her. By making this mistake and realizing it, Redcrosse becomes a better person and has a stronger idea of his identity and who he wants to be, as a human being and as an individual.
This personal development and change of Redcrosse may also reveal and show that, though he may be only human and make mistakes, Redcrosse can change and develop as an individual, as a human being and as an knight. Spenser is showing and saying to the readers of this tale that it is possible to change and is using Redcrosse to set an example or a role model for the people, who would read this epic, to some extent.
Second of all, in his epic story Faerie Queene, Spenser also relates and associates the issue of identity and development of his characters with important religious and biblical figures. Each of the characters has their own individual and personal identity, but they also have a more religious and biblical identity. Each character is associated with a religious figure and the meaning and importance of this religious figure. During this period, religion had an important role to play in people's lives and in society, generally, which would explain why Spenser wanted to add this important element in his poem.
For instance, early on in Book 1, the hero of this story, the knight Redcrosse, is declared to be and is revealed as Saint George, who was also a soldier. The reader later discovers that Redcrosse also represents the idea of England and is also associated with the value of Holiness, in its religious context. Una, who was traveling in company of the knight Redcrosse, is revealed as the personification of the "True Church" and also of Truth. Spenser also put two characters, who represent opposite characteristics, meanings, and identity, side by side. A good example of this issue is Una and Duessa. On one hand, there is Una, who represents the personification of Truth, and there is Duessa, on the other hand, who represents Falsehood. These women, who have opposite meaning, seem to have a battle of their own.
As well as identifying his character with religious and biblical figures, the author of this epic poem also associates the development of his characters with the development of some religious figures. At the end of Book 1 of the Faerie Queene, Redcrosse finds the dragon to save Una's parents from the castle, where they are imprisonned. The battle between Redcrosse and the Dragon lasts a total of three days. At the end of the two first days, Redcrosse endures wounds that are similar to the ones that Christ went through. They both suffered their injuries for the similar reasons, which was to save others. It also seems that Redcrosse went through these injuries to better himself and seek absolution as well as save others.
Spenser also inserts figures from different religions, side by side, which is another issue related to our society and to individuals. Spenser puts characters side by side, who represent different religions. In Book 1, Una reveals that she is the daughter of the Emperor of Rome, which may lead to suggest that she is the daughter of the Pope and, therefore, a Christian. The readers may assume that the knight Redcrosse may represent Protestants, because the reader knows that this character may symbolize England and that this story was written at the Elizabethan Era, when the dominant religion was Protestantism.
Identity and each individual's development are different to different people and are important, in different ways. In this poem, Spenser reveals how these issues may be different and important for different people, on a more individual and a more religious level. These issues presented by Spenser may also be applied to today's society, to some extent.
