The Faerie Queene Coming of Age Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Book, canto, stanza

Quote #7

For Artegall in iustice was vpbrought/ Euen from the cradle of his infancie,/ And all the depth of rightfull doome was taught/ By faire Astræa, with great industrie. (V.i.5)

Arthegall establishes his justice-wielding cred by showing off his justice-filled childhood training. "Justice" is clearly this guy's middle name.

Quote #8

True is, that I at first was dubbed knight/ By a good knight, the knight of the Redcrosse;/ Who when he gaue me armes, in field to fight/ Gaue me a shield… But for that many did that shield enuie… I layd aside[ my shield], and haue of late forbore. (V.xi.53-54)

Burbon describes his big mistake, which was abandoning his shield—his shield is emblematic of his education as a knight by Redcrosse, and that's pretty freaking important.

Quote #9

Him stedfastly [Calidore] markt, and saw to bee/ A goodly youth of amiable grace,/ Yet but a slender slip, that scarse did see/ Yet seuenteene yeares, but tall and faire of face/ That sure he deem'd him borne of noble race. (VI.ii.5)

Even though Tristram is a "slender slip," Calidore can tell he's got some knightly potential going on, and is totally born of nobility.