A Discussion of the Poetry of Queen Elizabeth and Edmund Spencer

In her poem, The doubt of future foes, Queen Elizabeth I explores just how difficult it can be on a person to be the ruler of a nation. Elizabeth laments about her position in the monarchy: "And wit me warns to shun such snares as threaten mine annoy; For falsehood now doth flow, and subjects' faith does ebb, hich should not be if reason ruled or wisdom weaved the web" (Elizabeth, lns. 2-4). Elizabeth goes on to discuss the adversities she faced on a daily basis through her choice of words; her use of words such as "falsehood" (Elizabeth, line10), "foes" (Elizabeth, line 1), and "foreign banished" (Elizabeth, 13) allows the reader to understand the treacherous life Elizabeth had to live within the realm of politics.

There can be no doubt that this poem is by a monarch, and primarily Elizabeth. Her use of such phrases like "The daughter of debate" (Elizabeth, line 11), "subjects' faith" (Elizabeth, line 3), and "seditious sects" (Elizabeth, line 14) lend themselves to the notion that Elizabeth wrote this; she displays the woes of being a monarch with her assonance within her iambic pentameter lines. She tells her subjects to have faith and believe in her; the use of seditious sects amplifies her worries about a rebellion against the English monarchy. Wise beyond her years, Elizabeth made no attempt to woo her subjects with sweet words; she had no qualms about using force to make them obey: "My rusty sword through rest shall first his edge employ..." (Elizabeth, line 15) discusses her openness to raise her sword to demonstrate how serious she was. To this point, Elizabeth has not turned her sword towards her subjects, but these words are an attempt to squash any notions her subjects have about overthrowing her.

In his poem, "Amoretti LXXV", Edmund Spencer expresses how the love he has for his mistress who has passed will continue on, because he will not allow it to die. He writes her name in the sand: "One day I wrote her name upon the strand," (Spencer, line 1), and though it is washed away, he continues to write her name in the tide. The tide tells him how fruitless his venture is, but he does not see it as fruitless. It is this small gesture that allows his mistress to continue on living within his memories, and much like the tides, she will continue on. The rhythm of the poem is very reminiscent of the tide ebbing and flowing. There is a sense of liquidity and musicality associated with the tides within Spenser's lines. Even the lines on paper resemble a wave coming into the shore.

"The Tamed Deer" explores poetic conceit, as Spenser uses the metaphor of hunting and the "beguiled" (Spenser, line 14) deer, who gently walk into the path of the person who was hunting her. Yet, Spenser is not merely speaking of hunting deer, he is clearly discussing how easily controlled and obtained women were at the time. Poetic conceit is a process of using a metaphor to describe one thing, while actually speaking on a completely different subject. Spenser uses the hunting metaphor to describe the sexual politics of the Renaissance ear. While the poem clearly tells the tale of a hunter and a doe, the poem is meant to speak on the politics of love and sex during the 16th century.

"What Guile is this" is a poem in which Spenser explores the question and answer method of subject. The first half of the poem asks as the question of the poem: the subject is the golden hair of a beautiful woman who beguiles the men she sees. Spenser asks the question: "Is it that men's frail eyes, which gaze too bold,/She may entangle in that golden snare;/And being caught, may craftily enfold/Their weaker hearts, which are not well aware?" (Spenser, lns. 5-8). Are men weak because they are ensnared by something as trivial as lovely golden hair? Spenser responds that should he stare too long at her and "...that guileful net" (Spenser, line 10), then he understands he will never be free of her.

The aphorism of the poem is clearly stated: "Take heed therefore, mine eyes, how ye do stare/Henceforth too rashly on that guileful net,/In which, if ever ye entrapped are,/ Out of her bonds ye by no means shall get." (Spenser, lns. 9-12). This pithy statement implies that no matter what, he will be under her spell, because he cannot look away from her. The repetition of the snare and net as metaphors for her hair (which can be debated as to exactly which hair he is describing) addresses how trapped the poet feels under "...her golden tresses" (Spenser, line 1). The use of such metaphors lends itself to the struggle men feel as they struggle against the "...fetters..." (Spenser, line 14) of which they are captive. While the initial thought of golden hair may be flaxen strands upon her brow, but I have a feeling that Spenser was discussing another net in which men can be trapped within; perhaps Spenser is speaking to the fact that she is so luscious and such a good lover, that men cannot help but become attached to her. Knowing the sexual politics of the time, I would assume that he wasn't speaking of the hair on her head.

WORKS CITED

Queen Elizabeth I. "The Doubt of Future Foes". HUM514, Spring 2008 Week Ten Course Module, Tiffin University.

Spenser, Edmund. "Amoretti LXXV". HUM514, Spring 2008 Week Ten Course Module, Tiffin University.

--"The Tamed Deer". HUM514, Spring 2008 Week Ten Course Module, Tiffin University.

--"What Guile is This". HUM514, Spring 2008 Week Ten Course Module, Tiffin University.