The Shepheardes Calender: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Shepheardes Calender" is a pastoral poem that features a range of characters, each embodying different themes and ideals associated with rural life and human emotion. The central character, Colin Clout, is a shepherd grappling with unrequited love for Rosalinde, whose disdain leads him into melancholy. Despite his heartache, Colin's poetic talents garner admiration from his peers, particularly from his supportive friend Hobbinoll, who encourages him to express his feelings through poetry. Other characters such as Thenot, Cuddie, Piers, and Palinode highlight various perspectives on age, ambition, and religious values, with Piers representing a call for simplicity and discipline in clergy, contrasting with Palinode’s Catholicism. The interactions among these characters reveal a blend of personal struggles and philosophical debates, reflecting the complexities of human relationships and societal expectations. As the narrative progresses, Colin evolves from focusing on his personal desires to articulating the collective experiences of his fellow shepherds, culminating in a significant elegy that marks his maturation as a poet. This exploration of character dynamics within a pastoral context offers insights into the interplay between love, art, and social commentary.
The Shepheardes Calender: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Edmund Spenser
First published: 1579
Genre: Poetry
Locale: The English countryside
Plot: Pastoral
Time: 1500's
Colin Clout, a shepherd who falls in love with Rosalinde, who treats his affection rudely and thus causes him to become depressed and melancholy. Frustrated by Rosalinde's lack of response, Colin breaks his pipe, on which he had sought to play songs of love that would win her approval. His friend Hobbinoll notices his distress and composes a song about Colin's plight, recalling to his friend Thenot a song that Colin composed in honor of the queen. Colin's poetic gifts are celebrated by Hobbinoll, and at the urging of his friend, Colin seeks to fulfill his lyric potential, especially because he is nearing the age of thirty and sees his window of opportunity vanishing. Colin also feels the pull of more sedate and conventional pastoral moods. Colin's love continues to plague him, especially because he is no longer physically even in contact with Rosalinde. His poetry continues to excite the admiration of his fellow shepherds, who see his as the one truly talented voice among them. As the seasons pass and the year comes to a close, Colin transcends the personal limits of his feelings for Rosalinde. He gives voice to the collective desires and sorrows of his fellow men, especially in his great elegy for the mysterious lady Dido. Colin, close to death himself, has matured into a poet of true magnitude.
Rosalinde, a country girl beloved by Colin. Rosalinde is disdainful of Colin. She becomes the object of his poetry but eventually is set aside by him.
Thenot, an old shepherd who is no longer attractive and lacks interest in worldly lusts and pleasures. Taunted by the younger Cuddie for his senescence, Thenot retorts by telling the younger man the fable of the Oak and the Brier. Thenot listens attentively to Hobbinoll's tale of Colin's love. Thenot admires Colin's talent but scorns his captivity to romantic feelings.
Cuddie, a young shepherd who teases old Thenot about his age. Later, he engages in discussions with Piers concerning Colin's poetic abilities and referees a dispute between two rival shepherd-singers. Cuddie is admired as a poet, but he knows that he is not as talented as Colin.
Hobbinoll, a shepherd and a friend of Colin who seeks to appreciate and stimulate Colin's poetic talents. Hobbinoll's affection for Colin leads him to tolerate his friend's complaints, though he seeks to steer Colin toward a calmer and more relaxed attitude. Hobbinoll condemns Rosalinde as the source of Colin's unhappiness yet also understands Colin's devotion to her. Hobbinoll represents ideals of rural stability, peace, and contemplation.
Piers, a shepherd representing Protestantism. Piers engages in a debate with Palinode in which he appears to prevail. Piers calls for clergy to live simpler, more disciplined, and more responsible lives. Piers later attempts, in vain, to convince Cuddie that he should aspire to be a poetic rival of Colin.
Palinode, a shepherd representing Catholicism. He engages in a debate with Piers that, at least on the face of it, he appears to lose.
Morell, a shepherd-clergyman accuses by Thomalin of being overly proud and self-admiring.
Thomalin, a shepherd who accuses Morell of excessive pride and attempts to back up his assertion in sung debate.
Diggon Davie, a well-traveled shepherd who contrasts his worldly wisdom to Hobbinoll's preference for uncomplicated ease and the simple life.