Question: Discuss the character of Lady Una.
Introduction
Edmund Spenser (1552-1599) is an English poet and well known for his allegorical epic poem “The Faerie Queen”. This is a fantastical romantic epic poem based on the journey of Lady Una who is the heroine of the romance.
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Symbol of Truth and Purity
‘’The Faerie Queen’’ allegorically represents the religious conflict between Anglicanism and Protestantism in England. Lady Una symbolizes the truth and purity of the Anglican church. In the epic poem, we notice that lady Una is simply an innocent lady because Spenser does not decorate lady Una excessively. She is as simple as truth. The following lines are a fine example of Una’s truth and purity.
“So pure and innocent as that same lambe
She was in life and every vertuous lore”
As an ordinary woman
In the epic poem The Faerie Queen’’ Una appears as an ordinary woman. Edmund Spenser has represented Una as a simple-minded heroine. she is not like the other ostentatious heroine such as Hellen, Belinda, and so on. She is as ordinary as water.
A beautiful and wise heroine
Lady Una is considered to be a beautiful and wise heroine in the history of English Literature. In the epic, while on the journey of rescuing Una’s parents, we get some witty expression of lady Una. When the Red Cross Knight is entrapped by the Monster, we notice the wisdom of Lady Una since she inspires the Red Cross Night to be confident. So, it is proved that lady Una is a wise heroine.
Sympathetic and generous
Lady Una is a beautiful young lady who goes to the court of Queen Gloriana (Queen of fairyland) to help her. Because her parents were imprisoned by the Dragon. Lady Una has a sympathetic and generous heart. Her coming to the queen’s court is a sign of her sympathy and generosity.
Responsible lady
Lady Una is the symbol of responsibility. Her parents become miserable by being entrapped in the cave of the Dragon. In such a horrible situation, she shows no pessimism but rather she takes the responsibility to rescue them. With the Red Cross Night, she starts her mission as an inspiration for the night and inevitable part of the mission. Finally, she completes the mission with praiseworthy success.
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Conclusion
To conclude we must say that Lady Una is a young beautiful lady and she possesses rare qualities. She is the paragon of truth and pure heart.
