Knight of Temperance
... the one sheer rage and the other sheer incitement to it; and the pain they represent, being hostile to order as to life, stands more simply and directly against temperance that does pleasure”. (Hamilton, 263) Using the Palmer’s advice, Guyon first masters Occasion, and then succeeds in overcoming furor. Sir Guyon is confronted once again by a barrier when Pyrochles attacks him without warning. Pyrochles attacks with fury and anger, but is subdued by Guyon who defends himself cautiously. Guyon spares Pyrochles’ life and unbinds Furor and Occasion by the request of Pyrochles. Occasion encourages her son to attack Pyrochles and Furor gains the upper hand, dragging him away. The Palmer advises Guyon not to interfere for Pyrochles has foolishly released his own enemy and has brought his suffering onto himself. Soon after, Guyon and the Palmer get to a lake and they wish to cross on a boat. The boat is ferried by Phaedria, a beautiful woman who agrees to take Guyon across the river, but refuses to take the Palmer. Guyon continues his quest and leaves the Palmer behind. Phaedria takes Guyon to an island of luxuriant beauty and tries to woe him with her enticing beauty and charm, but Guyon does not succumb to her. “Moderation also proves effective for him against enticements to waste leisure in play and idleness.”(Hamilton, pp263) The knight’s victory over Phaedria was made possible by his learned lesson in moderation experienced with Medina and her sisters: “his next adventure introduces a rational solution to self-destructive excess (Median and her sisters).” (Hamilton, pp263) Soon after they arrive on the island, Phaedria returns Guyon to shore and he continues his mission alone. In the seventh canto, Guyon’s quest takes him to the cave of Mammon. When Guyon encounters Mammon, he is tempted with offers of treasure and great wealth while in Mammon’s underworld domain. Guyon is shown many chambers filled with treasures, but declines Mammon’s offerings. Mammon once again tempts the night of Temperance with the offer to marry his daughter Philotime, but Guyon politely declines the offer saying that he is devoted to another lady. Mammon’s final attempt to persuade Guyon occurs when they reach the Garden of Proserpina. Guyon sees a silver chair beside a tree with golden apples. Mammon tries to convince Guyon to eat the apples and sit in the chair, but once again Guyon stays true to his virtues and remains loyal to his quest. His moderation was the reason for his overcoming of this temptation: “Reason and moderation seem to work against the temptation of riches, status, and glory (Mammon, Philotime), for Guyon resists with triumphant superiority”. (Hamilton, pp 263) The night of temperance proves that he does not absolutely need Palmer to stay true: “He refuses, reaching the limit of his separate strength; now, having proved himself, he once again experiences help from the outside…” (Hamilton, pp 282) In Canto 8, the Palmer finds Guyon lying unconscious on the ground. He has fainted from being underground for 3 days without rest or food. The Palmer and Guyon are confronted by Pyrochles and Cymochles, but they can do nothing because Guyon is still passed out. Just before the evil duo can do anything, Prince Arthur appears and defeats the two brothers, saving the life of the knight of Temperance. Guyon’s falling is symbolic to the flaws of human nature: “This setback reveals the hero’s innate flaw to be fallen human nature that makes him powerless against the passions (Pyrochles and Cymochles)”. Arthur’s victory is also symbolic: “Arthur, who gives both enemies their death blow, represents the victory of Christian virtue…”) (Carey, pp 49) In Canto 12 Guyon reunites with the Palmer, and they begin their voyage to Acrasia’s Isle. Accompanied by a ferryman, Guyon and the Palmer’s journey lasts 3 days, encountering many dangers and temptations along the way. The first danger they encounter is the “Gulf of Greediness”, which swallows up all it can. On the other side of the Gulf was the “Rock of Reproach”, which draws in passing ships and leaves many boats in ruin. The next temptations they encounter are the “wandering islands”, which draw many men into distress. These islands are beautiful, but once you set foot on them, you can never return. More dangers came in the form of quicksand and a whirlpool. Soon after this came the sea monsters, which the palmer identified as false dangers, or illusions created by the wicked enchantress of the island of the Bower of Bliss. Not long after, Guyon is tempted by a maiden in distress, and three mermaids. The mermaids’ song enchants Guyon, and he almost gives into temptation, but the Palmer wisely counsels him and they continue on their journey. “These shocks and fears are meant to push Guyon into wanting to take things easy, but they could create a need for rest and pleasure”. (Hamilton, pp 268) During this journey, the ferryman and the Palmer play key roles in keeping the night of Temperance from subsiding to temptation. When Guyon and the Palmer reached the Bower of Bliss, they encountered further enticement. The island of Acrasia was a beautiful place that contained all things that were pleasurable to the senses. Guyon is first tempted by a beautiful woman who offers him wine, but he refuses. Guyon was also tempted by two damsels bathing in a fountain until the palmer reminds him of his duty. Being allured by enchanting music, the knight and the Palmer continued their path until they met Acrasia and bound her in a net. Sir Guyon then destroyed the Bowers of Bliss, thereb...