The Faerie Queene: Book II- Sir Guyon, Knight of Temperance

Sir Guyon is the primary character in book 2 of Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queen. He is known as the knight of temperance, temperance being the primary virtue of book 2. Source: https://storytellingdb.com/guyon/

Temperance and patience were a long time in being added to my faith. (2 Peter 1:6)

• I was a wild and crazy guy, hot or cold, like the Apostle Peter*.(1BC-67AD)

• Sir Guyon proved a powerful example for me.

• I was caught in the Bower of Bliss and far from the House of Alma.

• But faith got me there through the power of the Holy Ghost.

  
  

Sir Guyon's victory can be yours too. Read on!

Book II: The Legend of Temperance -Sir Guyon

After the grandeur of Book I and the adventures of the Redcrosse Knight, Edmund Spenser (1542-1599) turns in The Faerie Queene to another knightly champion—Sir Guyon, the Knight of Temperance. Book II explores the virtue of self-restraint, an ideal that Spenser presents as essential for governing not only the individual soul but also the stability of the realm.

Allegory and Themes

In Guyon, we encounter a figure who embodies balance, moderation, and discipline. His mission is not one of conquest or brute force, but of control over passions and excesses. Spenser reminds us:

“The patient man much more doth suffer, than

He that much suffers: for he may endure

Why, every man for his owne cause will fight;

But he his foes charmes with a constant minde most sure.” (II.i.19)

This echoes the apostle Paul’s* (5-62) words: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” (Galatians 5:22–23).

Sir Guyon’s virtue points beyond human discipline to the Spirit’s work in those who follow Christ* (4 BC-30AD).

The House of Alma

One of the central episodes in Book II is Sir Guyon’s visit to the House of Alma, a symbolic fortress that represents the human body and soul. Alma presides over a well-ordered life of reason, reminding us that the body is God’s temple: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16).

“Her houshe was built of squared bricke,

Which cunningly was without mortar laid,

Whose wals were high, but nothing strong nor thicke,

And golden foile all over them displaid.”  (II.ix.22)

The fragile house reflects the weakness of our earthly frame, yet when Christ dwells within by faith, our lives are strengthened in Him.

The Bower of Bliss

The climax of Book II arrives with Guyon’s destruction of the Bower of Bliss, a lush and seductive garden ruled by the enchantress Acrasia.

“Eftsoones they heard a most melodious sound,

Of all that mote delight a daintie eare,

Such as at once might not on living ground,

Save in this paradise, be heard elsewhere.” (II.xii.70)

Guyon overthrew the Bower of Bliss and defeated Acrasia source: https://eclecticlight.co/2020/10/14/the-faerie-queene-9-acrasias-bower-of-bliss/

It is a picture of worldly pleasures that dazzle but enslave. Just as Guyon tears it down, so the Christian is called to flee youthful lusts (2 Timothy 2:22) and follow Christ, who alone offers living water that truly satisfies (John 4:14).

“But all those pleasures now are turned to paine,

And all that gallant gardin is defaced.” (II.xii.83)

Here Spenser’s allegory resonates with Jesus’ own teaching: “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).

Conclusion

Book II of The Faerie Queene is both a moral fable and a Gospel pointer. Through Sir Guyon’s trials, Spenser exalts the virtue of temperance—but even more, he directs us to Christ, who alone can tame the unruly passions of the human heart. As Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).

With its flowing Spenserian stanzas, the poem becomes more than literature; it is a mirror of the Christian life, calling us to walk in the Spirit and rest in the grace of Jesus, who is Himself our true Knight and Champion.

A Prayerful Reflection

Lord Jesus, You are our strength and our salvation. Teach us the temperance of Sir Guyon, not in our own power, but by Your Spirit within us.

Guard our hearts from the false delights of this world, and fix our eyes on the eternal joy found only in You. May our lives be a House of Alma, a temple fit for Your dwelling.

And when temptations arise like the Bower of Bliss, give us courage to turn away and follow You, our Redeemer and King. Amen.

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Wherefore should man, frail child of clay,

Who, from the cra­dle to the shroud,

Lives but the in­sect of a day—

Oh why should mor­tal man be proud?

His bright­est vi­sions just ap­pear,

Then van­ish, and no more are found:

The state­li­est pile his pride can rear,

A breath may le­vel with the ground.

By doubts per­plexed, in er­ror lost,

With trem­bling step he seeks his way:

How vain, of wis­dom’s gift the boast!

Of rea­son’s lamp, how faint the ray!

Follies and crimes, a count­less sum,

Are crowd­ed in life’s lit­tle span:

How ill, alas, does pride be­come

That err­ing, guil­ty crea­ture, man!

God of my life! Fa­ther di­vine!

Give me a meek and low­ly mind:

In mo­dest worth oh let me shine,

And peace in hum­ble vir­tue find.

Words: Will­iam En­field, 1795.