Dear Jim,
To my mind, the knight advancing the spear here is Sans foy. I take it
that this is (among other things) a bit of sexual innuendo -- Duessa
dallies with and excites him, and he advances his spear. So I think Sans
foy has provoked the fight, and Duessa has (seeing his hardiment)
encouraged him.
'Spear' can be used of a lance in this period, so I think Sans foy is just
being sure to couch his weapon (as it were) before Redcrosse has a chance
to do the same.
andrew
Andrew Zurcher
Queens' College
Cambridge CB3 9ET
United Kingdom
+44 1223 335 572
hast hast post hast for lyfe
On Fri, 2 Mar 2012, James Broaddus wrote:
> 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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