Spenserian Images of Catholicism In Book I of The Faerie Queene

Abstract

Due to the continuously hostile Elizabethan-Papal relations which persisted throughout Elizabeth's  reign (/558-1603) and covered Spenser's entire lifetime, Spenser nurtured pejorative images of Catholicism of a monstrously graphic nature. In Book I of The Faerie Queene, Papal-led Catholicism was regarded as being satanic evil. This evil Catholicism was used by Protestantism to define and defend itself. Spenser's vilifying views of Catholicism are expressed through the character of Archimago, who represents all what Protestants like Spenser saw in Catholicism such as pilgrimages, falsity, magical practices, hypocrisy, deception, and disguise. These accusations were based on what Protestants saw in the behavior of "Church Papists". The paper also puts forward the view that Archimago was a Jesuit, probably Robert Persons, the arch Jesuit that the black insects, flies, and sprites in Book I refer to Catholic missionary priests sent by the Pope and the Jesuits secretly into England..