Abstract
Despite the traditional veneration of mercy as a Christian virtue, many sixteenth-century writers caution against clemency, depicting it as a product of weak natures, such as those of women. The belief that women are passionate creatures prone to pity contributes to doubts about a woman's ability to rule. Elizabeth I, though praised for her godlike mercy, was also accused of excessive lenity. Nevertheless Elizabeth clearly wanted to be reputed merciful and to avoid the label of "unnatural" that was often applied to cruel women. Spenser's depiction of mercy in The Faerie Queene reflects these tensions. In Book II, mercy is described as the chief glory of Elizabeth's reign, yet the events of this book characterize both pity and mercy as destructive. In Book V, Spenser lavishes praise on the ideal of mercy but discourages merciful actions. The Mercilla episode reflects Spenser's understanding that, in choosing between mercy and rigor, a female monarch might be vulnerable to accusations of either womanish pity or unnatural cruelty.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 163-185 |
Number of pages | 23 |
Journal | Spenser Studies |
Volume | 25 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2010 |
Scopus Subject Areas
- Literature and Literary Theory