Spenserian Works

Muiopotmos or The Fate of the Butterfly, which can be found in Spenser's compilation entitled Complaints, was first published in 1591. This mock-epic depicts Clarion, a prince who discovers that he is actually a butterfly, through his sad tales. The little epic or epyllion gives the reader a vivid description of the butterfly's flight and allows the imagination to wander alongside the actions of the protagonist. Additionally this piece can be considered to be a meditation on the nature of poets and of poetry.

The Ruines of Time, is a lamentation for the death of Sir Philip Sydney as well as a celebration for the Sydney family. Additionally the piece laments the fall of the Roman Empire. This poem, which was originally published in 1591, genuinely discusses the role of poets and poetry. Originally, this piece could be found in Complaints, a collection of works written after the death of Sydney, who Spenser found to be the prime example of chivalry and knighthood, whose characteristics Spenser felt were not being adequately displayed by others. The Ruines of Time can be found as the introduction to the collection.

The Teares of the Muses, published in 1591, was also featured in Complaints and follows the The Ruines of Time as the second piece in the compilation. In the same melancholy manner found in The Ruines of Time, Spenser emphasizes the importance of poetry and the poet himself. This piece was intended to be an editorial on the current status of poetry and education in general. As with the others, this poem again laments the death of Sydney.

Virgil's Gnat, additionally found in Complaints, was also published in 1591. This piece is actually a translated text originally written by Virgil. The pastoral narrative describes a man sleeping, who is being stalked by a large snake. Through the help of a gnat's sting, the man is able to wake up and defend himself from the snake; however upon awakening the man's first instinct is to squash the gnat that stung him. In the piece, the man dreams that the gnat's ghost has visited him and is haranguing him for his ingratitude.