The Faerie Queene Characters
RK
Redcrosse Knight
Protagonist
Also known as: St. George
Brave
Inexperienced
Faithful
Virtuous
The hero of Book I, representing Holiness, who wears armor bearing a blood-red cross symbolizing his faith. He serves the Faerie Queene and battles monsters such as Error, though his inexperience makes him vulnerable to Archimago's deceptions. He travels with Una, who guides him on his journey. His true identity is later revealed to be St. George, the patron saint of England.
U
Una
Supporting
Also known as: Lady Una
Pure
Truthful
Noble
Sorrowful
A pure and truthful princess who rides a white donkey and wears a black veil symbolizing sorrow. She represents Truth and the True Church, and seeks Redcrosse's aid after a dragon destroys her kingdom. Despite her nobility, she endures betrayal when Archimago creates a false version of her to deceive Redcrosse. She serves as Redcrosse's guide and moral compass throughout the journey.
A
Archimago
Antagonist
Deceitful
Manipulative
Hypocritical
Cunning
A wicked sorcerer who disguises himself as a holy hermit to manipulate those around him. His name means 'arch-magician' or 'great deceiver,' and he uses dark magic to create false dreams and a fake Una in order to corrupt Redcrosse. He symbolizes hypocrisy and false religion, and is thought to possibly represent Catholic corruption in Spenser's era.
TD
The Dwarf
Minor
Loyal
Cautious
Dutiful
Vigilant
Una's faithful servant who carries her bag and provides warnings of approaching danger. He plays a small but practical supporting role in the journey.
E
Error
Symbolic
Also known as: the Monster
Monstrous
Poisonous
Dangerous
Deceptive
A half-woman, half-serpent beast who dwells in a dark cave and vomits poison upon her enemies. She represents the dangers of moral and spiritual error that the Redcrosse Knight must overcome early in his quest.
TF
The False Dream Spirit
Symbolic
Deceptive
Corrupting
Obedient to evil
Illusory
A spirit sent by Archimago to plant wicked and corrupting dreams in Redcrosse's mind. It serves as an instrument of Archimago's manipulation and symbolizes the power of false visions to mislead the faithful.
TF
The False Una
Symbolic
Deceptive
Illusory
Corrupting
Imitative
A counterfeit copy of Una conjured by Archimago to trick and morally corrupt Redcrosse. She represents the danger of false appearances and the ease with which truth can be imitated by deception.
M
Morpheus
Minor
Slumbering
Reluctant
Fearful
Passive
The god of sleep, whom Archimago awakens in order to dispatch dreams to Redcrosse. He fears the dark goddess Hecate and plays a brief but functional role in Archimago's scheme.
H
Hecate
Symbolic
Dark
Fearsome
Powerful
Otherworldly
A dark goddess whom even Morpheus fears. She is referenced briefly but serves a symbolic role representing dark supernatural power within the poem's mythological framework.
TS
The Sprite
Minor
Also known as: Messenger
Obedient
Swift
Deceptive
Subservient
A spirit that acts as Archimago's messenger, carrying the false dream to Redcrosse. It functions purely as an instrument of the sorcerer's will.
A
Arthur
Protagonist
Legendary
Noble
Questing
Idealistic
The legendary king who serves as the central protagonist of the poem as a whole, though he does not play the most prominent role in its immediate action. He searches for the Faerie Queene after beholding her in a dream, representing the ideal of magnificence and virtue. His quest for Gloriana gives the overarching poem much of its thematic direction.
FQ
Faerie Queene
Symbolic
Also known as: Gloriana
Regal
Inspiring
Idealized
Absent
The queen of Fairyland who represents Queen Elizabeth I and serves as the ultimate object of devotion for the knights of the poem. Despite never physically appearing in the narrative, her influence permeates the entire work as knights undertake quests in her honor. She embodies the ideal of sovereign glory and virtue.