The Faerie Queene, Books Three and Four (Bk. 3 & 4) [Paperback]

Edmund Spenser (Author), Dorothy Stephens (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0872208559 | ISBN-13: 978-0872208551 | Publication Date: November 30, 2006

This title is part of a series of Spenser's great work in five volumes. Each includes its own general introduction, annotation, note on the text, bibliography, glossary, and an index of characters; Spenser's Letter to Raleigh and a short Life of Spenser appear in every volume.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

These paired Arthurian legends suggest that erotic desire and the desire for companionship undergird national politics. The maiden Britomart, Queen Elizabeth's fictional ancestor, dons armor to search for a man whom she has seen in a crystal ball. While on this quest, she seeks to understand how one can be chaste while pursuing a sexual goal, in love with a man while passionately attached to a woman, a warrior princess yet a wife. As Spenser's most sensitively developed character, Britomart is capable of heroic deeds but also of teenage self-pity. Her experience is anatomized in the stories of other characters, where versions of love and friendship include physical gratification, torture, mutual aid, competition, spiritual ecstasy, self-sacrifice, genial teasing, jealousy, abduction, wise government, sedition, and the valiant defense of a pig shed.

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The Faerie Queene from Hackett Publishing Company
General Editor, Abraham Stoll

Spenser's great work in five volumes. Each includes its own Introduction, annotation, notes on the text, bibliography, glossary, and index of characters; Spenser's "Letter to Raleigh" and a short Life of Edmund Spenser appear in every volume.

Book One
Edited, with Introduction, by Carol V. Kaske, Cornell University

Book Two
Edited, with Introduction, by Erik Gray, Columbia University

Books Three and Four
Edited, with Introduction, by Dorothy Stephens, University of Arkansas

Book Five
Edited, with Introduction, by Abraham Stoll, University of San Diego

Book Six and the Mutabilitie Cantos
Edited, with Introduction, by Andrew Hadfield, University of Sussex --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Hackett Pub Co (November 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0872208559
• ISBN-13: 978-0872208551
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #265,537 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Just don't read the notes. . ., January 23, 2008

By 

K. Howe "Kevin" (Scuttling across the floors of silent seas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Faerie Queene, Books Three and Four (Bk. 3 & 4) (Paperback)

I bought the new Hackett editions of the Faerie Queen because I loved the idea of having separate volumes for each of the books. It's a shame they decided to put books three and four in one volume. It's more of a shame that they let this hack write the notes for that volume. The notes are typically either pointlessly obvious or some nonsense masquerading as criticism. In particular, there's no end in the notes of the editor trying to make Spenser into a homosexual sympathizer. Not likely, lady.

If you like the Faerie Queen, pick the Hacket editions up, but skip the notes in this one. If you've never read the Faerie Queene, don't bother with this one--get the Penguin Classics edition instead. That edition has endnotes instead of footnotes, which can be annoying, but at least you won't have so much tripe on the page tempting you to look away from the poem itself.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The book of chastity, September 24, 2008

By 

L. Nottingham (Alexandria, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Faerie Queene, Books Three and Four (Bk. 3 & 4) (Paperback)

Interesting how this is the book which is supposed to teach the reader of chastity. Certainly, it has its moments when the message comes through loud and clear, but the many footnotes which indicate word play and double meanings sometimes make it clear that there are nasty meanings to the verse. All in all, a difficult but rewarding read.

This story takes place in a fantasy land, with certain characters who must learn about chastity. The original purpose, as stated by Spenser himself, is to teach the reader how to behave chastely. With the numerous situations which can be read as unchaste, it is a wonder the reader can get the intended meaning of the author. But along the way, it has some hilarious moments (the idea of Britomart within Castle Joyeous at the dinner table in full armor including visor comes to mind). I found the book refreshing and entertaining, with several laugh out loud situations.