Edmund Spenser: The Faerie Queene - Book 2

[@tumblyhomecarolinep7121]

This is super helpful and interesting. I have just finished book one and was having a listen to you before reading book two. My aim is to read it all

[@philipjin4902]

The depth is astounding

[@Fontdalprofundo]

I think you asked about the suitability of individual books of The Faerie Queene as stand-alone reading material. I would say that Books I, II, and VI are entirely or mostly suitable, Book V nearly as much so, and the Mutabilitie Cantos most of all. Books III and IV, however, are often treated as a single double-length book, a medley of stories in the manner of Ariosto. The main storylines in Book III, the as-yet unfulfilled loves of Britomart for Artegall, Florimell for Marinell, and Amoret for Scudamour, are for the most part the main storylines of Book IV as well, where they at least draw closer to fruition. (Florimell and Marinell, and even Sir Guyon from Book II, then appear in a single canto of Book V, as does Britomart in two of its central cantos, but for the most part Book V is the independent story of Artegall and his metallic sidekick, Talus.) Even so, it IS possible, and I think not uncommon, to read even Book III by itself. The original 1590 ending (but not the 1596 revision) even provides a happy ending for one pair of lovers. Starting with Book IV would be even more like coming into the theater in the middle of a movie, but with Spenser I think it's not so much whether you can keep track of the details of the plot as whether you think what's happening onscreen at the moment is fascinating, and (when you get to the next canto) wondering how he keeps managing to come up with so many completely different kinds of fascinating scenes.

[@shelfstarters9799]

Thank you, this makes a lot of sense! Agreed that the enjoyment is more in individual scenes rather than keeping track of the large cast of characters and plot lines - I definitely have had issues recalling details as I've been reading 😅 But am still managing to enjoy myself on the journey!