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The Faerie Queene Morality and Ethics Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Book, canto, stanza

Quote #4

Said then the Boteman, Palmer stere aright,/ And keepe an euen course; for yonder way/ We needes must passe (God do vs well acquight,)/ That is the Gulfe of Greedinesse… (II.xii.3)

On their way to the Bower of Bliss, the Palmer, Guyon, and the Boatman must navigate a their boat between moral perils—navigation is a pretty good metaphor for negotiating a course through an unethical universe.

Quote #5

Ah (said [Britomart] then) now may ye all see plaine,/ That truth is strong, and trew loue most of might,/ That for his trusty seruaunts doth so strongly fight. (III.i.29)

In the world of the Faerie Queene, Britomart's knightly skillz (which allow her to beat a bunch of other knights) is also a testament to her moral ability: when Britomart wins, truth wins.

Quote #6

Her name was Ate, mother of debate,/ And all dissention, which doth dayly grow/ Amongst fraile men, that many a publike state/ And many a priuate oft doth ouerthrow. (IV.i19)

Ate, a goddess of discord, is often at the root of unethical behavior. Friendship and concord tend to go hand in hand in Faerie Land.