How we cite our quotes: Book, canto, stanza
Quote #1
And on [Redcrosse's] brest a bloddie Crosse he bore,/ For deare rememberance of his dying Lord. (I.i.2)
Spenser points out the centrality of religion to Redcrosse's life and to his very identity by making an, er, red cross Redcrosse's emblem.
Quote #2
And there beside of marble stone was built/ An Altare, carv'd with cunning ymagery,/ On which trew Christians blood was often spilt. (I.viii.36)
This altar, located in Orgoglio's castle, depicts a fear Christians had during Spenser's time that they would be killed by non-Christians for their beliefs (although Christians had themselves killed plenty of non-Christians during the Crusades…).
Quote #3
[Guyon] wist not whether blot of foule offence/ Might not be purgd with water nor with bath;/ Or that high God, in lieu of innocence,/ Imprinted had that token of his wrath. (II.ii.4)
Evoking the famous image of Pilate trying to wash the blood of Jesus' death off of his hands, Guyon literally can't wash the blood off poor little Ruddimane's hands. Does Pilate's offense seem similar or different to Ruddimane's?