Edmund Spenser
Edmund Spenser was a celebrated English poet born in 1552, best known for his epic poem "The Faerie Queene," which is often regarded as one of the greatest works of English literature. A contemporary of William Shakespeare, Spenser's writing is characterized by its rich allegory, intricate verse forms, and a deep engagement with themes of virtue and morality. His work reflects the political and cultural landscape of Elizabethan England, blending classical influences with the emerging English Renaissance spirit. Spenser's unique use of the Spenserian stanza has left a lasting impact on poetry, inspiring countless writers that followed.
Despite his prominence in his time, Spenser's life was not without challenges, including financial struggles and political turmoil. He spent much of his later years in Ireland, where he served as a civil servant and continued to write. His poetry often reflects a deep love for his country and an exploration of its national identity. As you delve into Spenser's works in this app, you'll find a rich tapestry of language and thought that invites reflection and enjoyment. Whether you're revisiting his timeless tales or discovering them for the first time, Spenser's contributions to literature are sure to resonate with you.
The Faerie Queene Version 2
Read by Thomas A. Copeland
Edmund Spenser
Spenser planned a 24-book romance-epic consisting of two parts, of which he completed half of the first. The first twelve books were to illu…
The Faerie Queene Book 1
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Edmund Spenser
"The First Book of the Faerie Queene Contayning The Legende of the Knight of the Red Crosse or Holinesse".The Faerie Queene was ne…
Stories from the Faerie Queen
Read by Bill Boerst
Edmund Spenser
A major work by Spenser, The Faerie Queen, was published between 1590 and 1596. As an allegorical work, it can be read on many levels. Accor…
The Faerie Queene Book 3
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Edmund Spenser
"The Third Book of the Faerie Queene contayning the Legende of Britomartis or of Chastitie."The Faerie Queene was never completed,…
The Faerie Queene Book 2
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Edmund Spenser
The Second Booke of the Faerie Queene contayning The Legende of Sir Guyon or of Tempaurance. The Faerie Queene was never completed, but it c…
The Faerie Queene Books 6 & 7
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Edmund Spenser
'The Sixth Book of the Faerie Queene contayning the Legende of S, Calidore or of Cvrtesie.' Apart from Books 1-6, the only surviving section…
The Faerie Queene Book 4
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Edmund Spenser
"The Fourth Book of the Faerie Queene contayning the Legende of Cambel and Telamond or of Friendship."The Faerie Queene was never …
The Faerie Queene Book 5
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Edmund Spenser
The Fifth Book of the Faerie Queene contayning the Legende of Artegall or of Ivstice.This masterpiece was never completed, but it continues …
Amoretti: A sonnet sequence
Read by Leonard Wilson (1930-2024)
Edmund Spenser
The Amoretti (meaning little love poems) is a sequence of 89 sonnets written in the tradition of the Petrarchan sonnets, a popular form for …
Brittains Ida or Venus and Anchises
Read by Thomas A. Copeland
Edmund Spenser
While hunting, the boy Anchises stumbles upon Venus's forest retreat and is so kindly entertained by the goddess that he becomes the proud f…
Four Hymns
Read by Thomas A. Copeland
Edmund Spenser
Spenser explains in the dedication of this volume that the hymns to love and to beauty were written early in his career and their "heav…
Amoretti and Epithalamion
Read by Thomas A. Copeland
Edmund Spenser
"These Sonnets furnish us with a circumstantial and very interesting history of Spenser's second courtship, which, after many repulses,…