Mythology and "The Faerie Queene"

Considering Spenser’s educational background, it is fathomable that mythology influenced his work. In reading the section on Fradubio’s story on how he became a tree, I recognized some similarities to two Greek myths – the myth of Actaeon and the myth of Daphne. In the myth of Actaeon, the great hunter Actaeon sees Artemis bathing and stares at the goddess. He is punished and turned into a stag. In the myth of Daphne, Apollo chases Daphne through the woods. Knowing she cannot escape, Daphne calls on the goddess Artemis, Apollo’s sister, for help. To save the woman from Apollo, Artemis turns Daphne into a tree. Like Actaeon seeing Artemis, Fradubio “chaunst see [Duessa] in her proper hew / bathing her selfe” (40); however, his reaction is far from lusting. Instead, he “gan refraine, in mind to slip away, / soon as appeared safe opportunities” (41). However, also like Actaeon, Fradubio is transformed by his angry pursuer. In this case, he is like Daphne: “now enclosed in wooden wals full faste” (42). Like Daphne, Fadubio must forever live his life as a tree.