Question: Write a short note on Archimago?
Introduction
The allegorical epic “The Faerie Queen” (1590) is the interaction between the Truth and the falsehood designed by the English poet Edmund Spenser (1552-1599) who is a strong supporter of the Reform Movement. In this epic, it is noted that Archimago is personified as falsehood. Archimago is one of the important characters in the epic and he is also represented as the agent of evil.
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Description
Archimago appears in the poem as an arch magician. He plays a vital role in the development of the plot of the poem.
Arch Magician
The name of Archimago stands for the Arch-Magician. He is a magician. He practices the black art of magic. Further, he is the second evil who has Interrupted the Red Cross Knight and Lady Una during their journey to rescue Una’s parents.
Hypocrite personality
Archimago is the strong evil next to Monster. In this epic poem, we notice that Archimago possesses a hypocritical personality. Outwardly he appears very pious and honest man but inwardly he is innately impious and dishonest. And he is a practitioner of black art to misguide people from the path of truth.
“For that old man of pleasing wordes had store
And well could file his tongue as smooth as glass
He told of Saintes and Popes and evermore
He strowed and Ave- Mary after and before”
These words help us to identify the hypocrisy and pretension of Archimago.
Disguised personality
Archimago is an evil-hearted person. He has a double personality. He is a preceptor in the art of disguise and artificiality. He appears in front of the Red Cross Knight and Lady Una in the guise of an old man with bare feet, a white and grey beard, wearing a long black garment and a book hanging from his belt Just like a pastor. But innately he is an evil person.
Motto of Archimago
In the epic ‘’The Faerie Queen’’ he works as the agent of evil. He has misled the Red Cross Knight. He has taken the shape of lady Una and tried to attract the Red Cross Knight. But the Red Cross Knight realizes the evil plan of Archimago. Finally, the Red Cross Night and Lady Una become able to triumph over Archimago’s trap.
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Conclusion
In fine, we can say that Archimago is the real picture of evil. Through this character, Spenser has shown that evil will be defeated again and again by the holy souls such as the Red Cross Night and Lady Una.
