Edmund Spenser, the man who blended renaissance and reformation perfectly is the master of Elizabethan poetry. He has penned so many sonnet sequences that are still remembered as the noblest of all. . Renaissance brought in a lot of interesting features to poetry such as innovative taste in music, rich imagination, fine expression, moral chastity, strong patriotic feelings and reincarnation of beauty.
Renaissance basically occurred with a transformation in culture, arts and literature. Reformation on the other hand tended to converting people to a new holy religion, Protestantism. Many poets were deeply inspired by Renaissance in the 16th and 17th century. However, Edmund Spenser was the true child of Renaissance
Spenserian Poetry incorporates thematic writing and stupendous stylistics. His works, Epithalamion and Prothalamion are eminent pieces of love poems. Fairie Queene, six separate books with the main theme in the seventh book, stands as one of the best allegorical pieces from the era of renaissance until now. The concept of Fairie Queene, in deeper sense reveals the conflict between Catholicism and Protestantism. Spenser, a protestant himself was always against the two-facedness of Catholic Papacy. Spenser penned the Shepherd’s calendar, which is essentially a verse of careful combination of rustic and archaic words, a project that was wholly dedicated to Sir. Phillip Sidney. The poem covered 12 pastoral verses or eclogues each corresponding to a month of the year.
Spenser never encouraged the effect of mysticism and all that he wanted is intellect to rule his thoughts and works. Renaissance, once again, was the cause of his liberation of thought. Spenser employs just the right blend of rhythm and words inviting readers across the globe.
In Spenserian poetry, serious lack of unity persists. Alongside, disjoint verses and characters, Spenser also wanted to prioritize poetry over fields like philosophy, religion, arts and science which is a practically impossible idea. Sometimes, Spenser’s thoughtlessness also accounts to his vague writing.
Brushing aside the negatives, we can find a lot of readers who research sincerely on Spenserian beauty in writing. As an innovation in literary writing, renaissance and Edmund Spenser paired to perfect the horizon of English Literature in England.
