Introductory
Renaissance is a combination of both Latin and French phrases and literally known as 'Rebirth of Knowledge' and 'Revival of Learning'. It was a literary, artistic, religious, cultural as well as scientific movement in which new ideologies, customs, scientific and colonies were discovered. This movement originated in Florence, Italy and as the years went by, this movement sparkled all across the European countries.
Edmund Spenser had been an Elizabethan poet and he was deeply influenced by the very movement. This borrowed influence can be easily seen in his writings.
Classical Influence
Spenser had obtained his master's degree from Cambridge University in Latin. During these days, Latin was the only source of accumulating the literary treasure of the past. Spenser glorified his eclogues by following the tradition of Virgil. A good amount of Virgil's phrases can be seen in his literary genius. For instance, the false Duessa has been depicted in influence of Virgil's sixth book of Aeneid.
Greek Influence
The most notable influence in Spenser's literary genius can be seen of Greek writers and mythology. The Faerie Queene is written to allegorise the 12th virtues of Aristotle, which he illustrated in his book Nichomachean Ethics. Prince Arthur who had command over all the twelve virtues can be seen in securing the lives of other virtuous knights. While the Greek gods and goddesses are a prominent feature in the adventure of all the knights.
Spenser, as well, implies the imaging of Plato in respect of beauty. Plato gave importance to the abstract significance of beauty (the divine beauty) than that of physical beauty. The above-mentioned imaging is also implied in one of the Spenser's work, "Hymn in Honour of Beauty".
Classical Mythology
This is another feature or influence of Renaissance in Spenser's work for ornament and illustration. Like many of his contemporaries, including Shakespeare, Milton, Marlowe and Lily, he used classical mythology to uproot the vices in Christianity and in Christian society.
Religious Influence
Another but a prominent feature of the Renaissance is religious influence over Spenser's writings. In The Faerie Queene, he allegorises six virtues and especially in Book 1 Canto 1 of the very book when Red Cross Knight fights with Monster Errour, the very monster symbolizes Roman Catholic Church and its ill and authoritative influence. Through the particular incident, the poet wants to give an impression about their disbelieve in the unauthorized authority of the Pope.
Humanism
Humanism was a religious reformational movement in which the dominance of Roman Catholic Church was challenged and the centre of interest had been changed from Divine powers to humans. Humanists provoked the importance of humans over God as according to them, all the scientific advancements were due to the mental thinking of humans not of the blessing of God. Yet they, somehow, believed in religion. The knights in Edmund Spenser's Faerie Queene hold a firm belief in religion but they do not wait for the divine powers to help them when they are in distress. They fight with their adversaries and win over them on their own.
Conclusion
Edmund Spenser has lived Renaissance but by creating a slight distinction amongst his companions. Manifestly, he can be regarded as a true child of the Renaissance.
