Allison Burnett and all ---
Jeanie's selection of significant passages in FQ omits two that are essential to the poem's foundation, and short enough to be read aloud, with pauses for some commentary: the opening of I. i, on through to the triumph (?) over Errour and exit from the Wandring Wood; and Arthur's recounting of his dream of Gloriana -- linked obscurely, of course, to the encounter with Despair in the same canto.
Cheers, Jon Quitslund
-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Jeanie Brink <[log in to unmask]>
> This is a response to Allison Burnett's question regarding an
> introductory text for the Faerie Queene. If you are going to be
> dealing with an older group of students, you might consider moving to
> the packet format. You could scan or photocopy the texts or excerpts
> of texts that you want to use and magnify the font size. This would
> enable you to create your own anthology, e.g., begin with Sidney's
> Defense of Poetry and even include some Milton. On selections from
> Spenser, I have always had good luck with selections of sonnets and
> the Epithalamion. For the Faerie Queene, I would probably select
> Canto 9, Despair in Book 1; Canto 12, Bower of Bliss in Book 2;
> definitely the parody of Paris, Helen and Menelaus in Cantos 9 & 10 in
> Book 3; Canto 2 with the Giant in Book 5; Serena & the Savages, Canto
> 8 in Book 6 and the Mutabilitie Cantos.
>
> I hope that this is helpful.
>
> Jean Brink
>
>
>
> On Fri, 25 Mar 2005 12:39:10 -0500, Allison Bartlett
> <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Hi, Folks:
> >
> >
> >
> > I'm emerging from "lurk" mode to ask a question. I've been offered an
> > opportunity to "teach something you haven't been able to since taking the
> > job at your two-year college." A retired colleague has opened a B&B in
> > Maine, and is offering week-long "Fireside Encounters" in various subjects
> > to her guests. I've been asked if I want to do something with Spenser (or
> > Milton), and began salivating at the thought of being able – even in a very
> > limited forum – to chat with folks about The Faerie Queene. A local
> > bookstore is willing to cooperate with books and pricing.
> >
> >
> >
> > I've not ordered Spenser texts for a very long time, hence my query: is
> > there an introductory FQ text that might be appropriate for what I now
> > understand to be something like an "elder-hostel" reader? Would anyone be
> > able to recommend something to me – off-list, so as not to clutter the
> > discussion?
> >
> >
> >
> > If I can't find something non-off-putting, my back-up is selections from
> > Paradise Lost, but I'd rather try Spenser.
> >
> >
> >
> > Thank you in advance!!
> >
> >
> >
> > Allison
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Dr. Allison S. Bartlett
> >
> > Associate Professor of English
> >
> > Wor-Wic Community College
> >
> > Salisbury, MD 21842
> >
> > [log in to unmask]
> >
> > 410/334-2861
> >
> >
>
>
> --
> Jean R Brink
> 3017 Zane Grey Terrace
> Altadena, CA 91001
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