Paridell Character Analysis in The Faerie Queene

Paridell is a knight that Sir Satyrane meets after they are both denied hospitality at Malbecco’s castle. Eventually, Malbecco relents and lets them inside, but Paridell soon runs off with Malbecco’s wife Hellenore, only to abandon her in the woods soon afterwards. Paridell is noted for his fickleness and sometimes even changes sides mid-battle.

Paridell Character Timeline in The Faerie Queene

The timeline below shows where the character Paridell appears in The Faerie Queene. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...the Squire of Dames, he sees a knight riding towards him that he recognizes as Paridell, based on the colors of his crest. Paridell tells of the ruin of Marinell and... (full context)

Sir Satyrane tells Paridell that he fears Florimell is dead (since he found her gold belt and since the... (full context)

The narrator promises that he’ll finally explain why Paridell and Sir Satyrane aren’t being allowed into the castle. The owner of the castle is... (full context)

...tries to go to the shed, but it’s full, and the new knight gets angry. Paridell and the new knight start a fight, but Satyrane breaks them up after Paridell is... (full context)

...When the knights make it inside and start taking off their armor, Sir Satyrane and Paridell realize that the stranger knight is a woman with blond hair—Britomart. They are amazed at... (full context)

...At the table, Malbecco keeps a jealous watch over his guests, but he can’t see Paridell, who has locked eyes with Hellenore. Both of them are silently filled with lust. (full context)

After dinner, Hellenore suggests that such brave knights should tell a story about their deeds. Paridell agrees and begins telling the story of the Trojan War. Britomart is moved by the... (full context)

Paridell interrupts to take over the story again. He confirms how Britain is also related to... (full context)

While Paridell is telling the story, Hellenore listens to every word and watches his lips. After the... (full context)

Britomart and Sir Satyrane wake up ready to leave the next morning, but Paridell complains that he was injured in his fight with Britomart and so needs more time... (full context)

Though Malbecco keeps an eye on Paridell and on his wife Hellenore, Paridell keeps an even sharper eye. When Hellenore is away... (full context)

...it, then burns the rest, just like the burning city of Troy. She runs to Paridell, who carries her off. As he carries her away, she shouts for help. Malbecco sees... (full context)

Paridell and Hellenore make it out of the castle. Having put out the flames on his... (full context)

...plain, and he sees a knight next to a lady and believes they must be Paridell and Hellenore. In fact, however, it is Braggadochio and Trompart. (full context)

...(really he just wants the money), and Malbecco is overjoyed. Soon after, just by chance, Paridell starts coming toward them. They stop Paridell, but it turns out that shortly after taking... (full context)

Paridell departs, and Malbecco decides that rather than chase him, they’ll head into the forest to... (full context)

British Identity and Nationalism Theme Icon

...with Ate is Blandamour, who is fickle and unreliable. The other knight, with Duessa, is Paridell (who carried off and then unceremoniously abandoned Hellenore in the previous book). Britomart, however, doesn’t... (full context)

Paridell and Blandamour are both enchanted by Amoretta, but soon Scudamore comes riding onto the scene.... (full context)

Despite attempts by Blandamour and Paridell to keep stirring up an argument, Glauce’s words finally calm Scudamore down. Soon another knight... (full context)

...He attacks Sir Ferraugh and knocks him off his horse, claiming Florimell as his own. Paridell, who previously didn’t care about Florimell, is jealous when he sees her up close and... (full context)

Paridell accuses Blandamour of being too boastful and says they made a promise earlier that they... (full context)

The Squire of Dames asks Paridell and Blandamour (who won’t stop fighting) what the cause of their disagreement is. They both... (full context)

Paridell, Blandamour, and the others run into Cambell and Triamond with their ladies, Cambine and Canacee.... (full context)

Unlike the true friendship of Cambell and Triamond, the friendship of Blandamour and Paridell is false. When all of them and their ladies meet on the road, Blandamour insults... (full context)

Soon Paridell joins the fight. Braggadochio sees no need to get involved. Then Triamond enters the fray... (full context)

...present. Cambina (who is with Cambell), Canacee (who is with Triamond), Duessa (who is with Paridell), and Amoretta (who is with Britomart) are all in contention, but the most impressive participant... (full context)

Blandamour, Paridell, and Braggadochio are not happy with this outcome, however, and start arguing, their anger fueled... (full context)

...false Florimell, Braggadochio, a knight named Druon who loves being a bachelor, Claribell, Blandamour, and Paridell. The four knights in the group are brawling over false Florimell. Near these knights, Britomart... (full context)

The fight goes back and forth, with Paridell sometimes siding with Blandamour, other times siding with Druon. But when the knights notice Britomart,... (full context)