Dear Colleagues,
I have a question about the Redcrosse Knight’s encounter with the
Saracen shortly after he abandoned Una.
In canto 2, we shift from Archimago’s pursuit of Una to Redcrosse, who
has “chaunst to meete vpon the way”/ A faithlesse Sarazin all armde to
point” and accompanied by his lady, who is entertaining “her lover”
“With faire disport and courting dalliance”:
14. But when she saw the knight his speare aduaunce,
Shee soone left off her mirth and wanton play,
And bad her knight addresse him to the fray:
His foe was nigh at hand. He prickte with pride
And hope to winne his Ladies hearte that day,
Forth spurred fast: adowne his coursers side
The red bloud rickling staind the way, as he did ride.
15. The knight of the Redcrosse when him he spide,
Spurring so hote with rage dispiteous,
Gan fairely couch his speare, and towards ride:
My question is with the phrase, “the knight his speare advaunce,”
(14.1). If advancing one’s spear indicates only that one is carrying a
spear, or something of the sort, Fidessa/Duessa is the one who
precipitates the combat.
On the other hand, if advancing one’s spear is a specific challenging
move in knightly combat, Redcrosse initiates it.
I googled the appropriate words and also looked up “advance” in the
OED and came up empty.
Hamilton does not annotate “his speare aduaunce”; but, with good
authority, he annotates “fairely couch his speare” (15.3) to mean
“expertly place his spear in its rest and lower it for attack.”
If Redcrosse’s first move is the couching of his spear, Sans Foy,
incited by Fidessa/Duessa, is the aggressor.
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide,
Jim Broaddus
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