The Faerie Queene

The Faerie Queene

by

Edmund Spenser

Mirabella Character Analysis

Mirabella is a fair lady who has been condemned to roam the world with Scorn and Disdain tormenting her as punishment. She comes from low birth, but her beauty led men to their doom, causing Cupid to punish her. Though her punishment is painful, she accepts it, wandering around until she saves as many men as she “killed.”
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Mirabella Character Timeline in The Faerie Queene

The timeline below shows where the character Mirabella appears in The Faerie Queene. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Book VI: Canto VI
Virtue, Allegory, and Symbolism Theme Icon
Deception and Lies Theme Icon
The Role of Women Theme Icon
...she is fearful and wants protection, and he is courteous. They come to a maiden (Mirabella) in mourning clothes, riding a mangy animal and with a churl and a fool leading... (full context)
Book VI: Canto VII
Virtue, Allegory, and Symbolism Theme Icon
Love and Friendship Theme Icon
The Role of Women Theme Icon
...an ass, led by a fool and a churl. The dignified lady, whose name is Mirabella, is famous throughout Faerie Land, even though she is of low birth. Though she seems... (full context)
Virtue, Allegory, and Symbolism Theme Icon
Love and Friendship Theme Icon
The Role of Women Theme Icon
...lovers were missing. Infamy and Despight testified that these men were missing on account of Mirabella, who has allegedly killed them by withholding her love. Cupid punished Mirabella by sentencing her... (full context)
Virtue, Allegory, and Symbolism Theme Icon
Love and Friendship Theme Icon
The Role of Women Theme Icon
The rude man with Mirabella is a giant from the same house as Orgoglio (who was slain by Arthur in... (full context)
Virtue, Allegory, and Symbolism Theme Icon
Love and Friendship Theme Icon
The Role of Women Theme Icon
Timias is dismayed to see how Disdain and Scorn treat Mirabella, so he attacks Disdain. When Timias’s foot slips, Disdain whacks him with his iron club,... (full context)
Book VI: Canto VIII
Virtue, Allegory, and Symbolism Theme Icon
The Role of Women Theme Icon
Mirabella sees Timias taken captive by Disdain and Scorn, and she feels pity. They keep traveling... (full context)
Virtue, Allegory, and Symbolism Theme Icon
Love and Friendship Theme Icon
The Role of Women Theme Icon
...strike a powerful blow, but Scorn sneaks under and strikes Arthur’s knee. While Arthur recovers, Mirabella calls out to Arthur, saying that even though Disdain deserves to die, Arthur shouldn’t kill... (full context)
Virtue, Allegory, and Symbolism Theme Icon
Love and Friendship Theme Icon
The Role of Women Theme Icon
Mirabella has a bottle that she fills with tears that she keeps in a bag, and... (full context)