The Character of Britomart in Spenser's the Faerie Queene (Studies in Renaissance Literature)

Thompson (renaissance studies, U. of Western Australia) examines the character of Britomart, the Knight of Chastity, in Edmund Spenser's The Faerie Queene . She contends that through Britomart, "Spenser reveals, reflects, as well as challenges and rejects, the variety of meanings accorded to sexuality in sixteenth-century society" (from the foreword). Coverage includes Protestant discourses of chastity, Spenser's treatment of courtly love, and the ways in which Spenser's poetry is governed by external factors. The volume contains five color plates of 19th century stained glass windows depicting Britomart on various stages of her epic quest. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)