Spenser's Icon of the Past: Fiction as History, a Reexamination
John M. Steadman
Spenser's image of the past is (as critics have long recognized) complex, and sometimes self-contradictory, construct. As Thomas M. Greene points out, uses word antique in many different senses, so that meaning phrase world not always consistent or clear.' Andrew John Fichter emphasizes dynastic theme Virgil, Ariosto, Tasso, Spenser, observing this brings into focus what must be considered one most basic elements epic from Virgil onward, its consciousness history.2 Michael O'Connell both challenges qualifies traditional concepts allegory The Faerie Queene; he considers dimension poem primarily terms contemporary Elizabethan history rather than remote past.3 In following pages I shall reexamine Queene against background his references to antiquity romance-epic several minor poems, context Italian Renaissance theories relationship heroic poet's subject matter historical fact and/or invented fiction.4 Letter Raleigh, Spenser did distinguish between romance, nor use term poem; instead spoke works historicall poets, including Ariosto category along with Homer Tasso. It class (scarcely less historicall-on literal level-than either romance-epics on Orlando) belongs. Although described as a continued Allegory, darke conceit, was
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