Product Description

The Faerie Queene is a scholarly masterpiece that has influenced, inspired, and challenged generations of writers, readers and scholars since its completion in 1596. Hamilton's edition is itself, a masterpiece of scholarship and close reading. It is now the standard edition for all readers of Spenser. The entire work is revised, and the text of The Faerie Queene itself has been freshly edited, the first such edition since the 1930s.

This volume also contains additional original material, including a letter to Raleigh, commendatory verses and dedicatory sonnets, chronology of Spenser's life and works and provides a compilation of list of characters and their appearances in The Faerie Queene

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #49884 in Books
• Published on: 2006-08-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 816 pages

Review

“All in all, it is a major work of scholarship, combining a meticulously prepared text with splendid annotation. It will last, and will help inspire new generations of readers.” 

Tom MacFaul, Notes and Queries

“Hamilton's edition of the Faerie Queene is indispensable to any serious scholar of Spenser.”

Amazon.co.uk review

From the Back Cover

Hamilton's edition is a masterpiece of scholarship and close reading. The entire work is revised, and the text of The Faerie Queene itself has been freshly edited, the first such edition since the 1930s. The text, itself a milestone in academic achievement, has been produced by Hiroshi Yamashita and Toshiyuki Suzuki and is now considered the new standard text of the poem.

This edition continues the excellent scholarship of the first edition; Hamilton provides exceptionally full and careful annotation of the text, detailed guidance to critical comment, and a wealth of introductory material setting the poem in its historical and literary context. This edition also includes additional original material which includes a chronology, a letter to Raleigh, commendatory verses, and dedicatory sonnets. A list of characters and their appearances has also been compiled by Shohachi Fukuda, listing their place in the poem and commentary on the names. As a sign of its enduring appeal, this edition was, in 2005, awarded the Isobel MacAffery Award by the International Spenser Society for its outstanding contribution to Spenser studies. 

A. C. Hamilton is the retired Cappon Professor Emeritus at Queen's University, Kingston, Canada. He is the General Editor of Spenser Encyclopedia.

About the Author

A C Hamilton is the retired Cappon Professor Emeritus at Queen's University, Kingston, Canada. He is the General Editor of Spenser Encyclopedia.

Customer Reviews

The best edition ever
Hamilton's edition of the Faerie Queene is indispensable to any serious scholar of Spenser. His notes are crucial for one's understanding of the poem, including allegory which provide deep insight into the religion, politics, art and life of the Renaissance. When Spenser wrote the Faerie Queene in 1596 in dedication to Queen Elizabeth I, she delighted in it so much that Spenser was granted an annual pension for the rest of his life. The poem is hugely enjoyable, and not as intimidating as its thickness may suggest, especially with the added benefit of the revised annotations and clear character list in this edition. A series of romances within an epic frame, it is a must read even if you are not a student without a choice!