Correct option is D
Explanation:
In The Faerie Queene (1590, 1596), Edmund Spenser portrays Queen Elizabeth I as Gloriana, the titular Faerie Queene. Gloriana symbolizes the ideal of a virtuous and noble ruler, embodying Elizabeth’s authority, grace, and power. The entire poem serves as an allegorical celebration of Elizabethan England, with Gloriana representing the Queen as a divine and glorious figure who inspires knights and heroes.
Information Booster:
The Faerie Queene was written to glorify Queen Elizabeth I and to promote the values of chivalry, virtue, and Protestantism.
Gloriana’s Role – Although she does not appear often in the narrative, Gloriana is the central inspiration for the knights' quests.
Gloriana represents both the real Queen Elizabeth I and the ideal of a just and wise ruler.
The poem blends Arthurian legends with Renaissance ideals, linking Elizabeth to Britain’s mythical past.
Spenser used the poem to secure royal favor and elevate Elizabeth’s status as a powerful and divine ruler.
The poem is one of the greatest epic romances in English literature and contributed to the development of the Spenserian stanza.
Additional Knowledge:
Calidore – A knight in The Faerie Queene who represents the virtue of courtesy.
Cambina – A minor character in the poem, Cambina is a wise and virtuous woman who brings peace.
Arthur – Prince Arthur, a key character in the poem, symbolizes the ideal knight and chivalric hero.