Jesus Christ and the Red Cross Knight Essay -- essays papers

the Nazarene delivery boy and the reddish Cross gentleIn his first book of The Faerie Queen, Edmund Spenser recites the level of the Red Cross Knight and the many trials and tribulations that he encounters along his quest to save Princess Unas kingdom. Throughout the tale Spenser makes many allusions to the Red Cross Knight being a saviour-like character. completely of the qualities and attributes which Red Cross develops along the way lead up to his embodiment of Christ on the third day of the dragon fight. Many of these allusions ar contained in small images and references.The first image that Spenser uses to relate the tales signifi postce to Christianity and Christ appears in canto I stanza iv A lovely Ladie rode him faire beside,Upon a broken Asse more discolor then snow,Yet she much whiter,...Seemed in tone some hidden care she had,And by her line a milke white lambe she lad. (I.iv.) An image from the New Testament can be grasped from this scene. Picture Red Cross as Joseph on his way to Bethlehem leading the Virgin fetch Mary, Princess Una, who is riding on an ass carrying Jesus Christ the Lamb of divinity in her womb or in this case behind her. Although through this image Red Cross is seen as Joseph and not Christ, it is understood by and by in the story that the lamb represents what Red Cross could become through the help of Una and the trials he will face during his quest. The vision of Una as the pure Mother of Christ solidifies her as having such characteristics as chastity, truth, and innocence. Each of these cementum Una in the role of a perfect Romance maiden, one who can lead her champion to his utmost potential that of a true womanise hero. The adventures of Red Cross mirror the temptation in the dessert ... ...dragon with his sword, which represents Gods sacred scripture, he aims at the mouth of the beast, exemplifying Christ destroying Original blaze at the source and or Satan. (pg.150 foot6) By ideologically cle ansing Satan Red Cross has reached his full potential and in the upcoming will become St. George. In this first book of The Fairie Queen Edmund Spenser embodies in his main character, the Red Cross Knight, humanitys battle with Satan and evil. Throughout the epic poem the Red Cross Knight and even Prince Arthur are, continually representing Jesus Christ and his victories on the Cross and at the end of time. They are both representing Jesus Christ in all that they do and the qualities of a good Christian. This avatar of Christ culminates at the end of the story with the Red Cross Knights advantage over the dragon.BibliographyEdmund Spensers Fairie Queen