Platonism in English poetry of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries — Plato — John Shaqi
Platonism in English poetry of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries
Plato · en
The rule of right reason in Guyon over his angry impulses is recorded in
three instances; in each case the anger is aroused under varying
conditions. The opening episode of the book presents Guyon checking the
impetuous fury of his wrath when he learns that it has been aroused by a
false presentation of the facts. Archimago, the deceitful enemy of
truth, related to Guyon how the Red Cross Knight had violated the purity
of a maiden; and the pretended maiden herself became a party to the lie.
(II. i. 10, 11, 17.) When Guyon heard of this outrage he hastened to
avenge the wrong.
“He staid not lenger talke, but with fierce ire
And zealous hast away is quickly gone
To seeke that knight.”
(II. i. 13.)
And yet he wondered how the Red Cross Knight could have done such a
deed. He knew that he was a knight of honor and had won glory in his
defence of Una. (II. i. 19.) He was quick, then, to restrain himself
when about to charge upon the accused Knight, for on his shield he
recognized the cross of his Lord. When he was on the point of clashing
with his enemy, he
“gan abace
His threatned speare, as if some new mishap
Had him betidde, or hidden daunger did entrap.”
(II. i. 26.)
After an apology and an exchange of knightly courtesies with the Red
Cross Knight he was able to
“turne his earnest unto game,
Through goodly handing and wise temperance.”
(II. i. 31.)
The second encounter of Guyon with the forces of wrath is the struggle
with Furor and his mother Occasion. (II. iv. 3–36.) He has now to try
his strength in conquering wrath when it has an occasion to be aroused.
The power with which he strives is described as a fury of great might,
but so ill-governed by reason that in its blind passion its force is
spent to no purpose.
“And sure he was a man of mickle might,
Had he had gouvernance, it well to guide:
But when the franticke fit inflamd his spright,
His force was vaine, and strooke more often wide,
Then at the aymed marke which he had eide:
And oft himselfe he chaunst to hurt unwares,
Whilst reason blent through passion, nought descride,
But as a blindfold Bull at randon fares,
And where he hits, nought knowes, and whom he hurts nought cares.”
(II. iv. 7.)
Guyon struggles with this madman and finally, after he has quieted the
reviling tongue of Occasion, who urges her son, Furor, on to the
conflict, he binds him with iron chains.