Spenser: The Faerie Queene

The Faerie Queene is one of the indisputably great masterpieces of English literature, and has influenced, inspired and challenged generations of writers, readers and scholars since its completion in 1596. However, its epic length, its prodigality of incident and detail, the complexity of its allegory and richness of its topical allusions make if one the hardest texts to understand. Few works demand or repay introduction and annotation as much. Professor Hamilton’s widely acclaimed annotate...