Monsters and the Poetic Imagination in the Faerie Queene

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Focusing on the concept of monstrosity, this study explores the role of monsters in The Faerie Queene, drawing on Thomas Cooper's sixteenth-century definition. It examines how Spenser uses physical deformities and violations of nature to create meaningful symbols within the narrative. These monstrous beings serve as ciphers in a broader allegorical framework aimed at shaping virtuous and noble characters, highlighting the intricate relationship between monstrosity and moral education in Spenser's work.