Hi Rachel,

I also noticed the connection between flowers and chastity throughout The Faerie Queene. Although flowers are usually associated with sexuality, our discussion from Monday has helped me reconcile the idea of Britomart being both the human embodiment of chastity and also “the flowre of chastity,” which may imply something more sexual. We spoke about how Spenser did not view chastity in the way that we do currently. For Spenser, chastity did not mean suppressing sexuality; rather, chastity referred to the pursuit of a monogamous romantic relationship. If we read the poem from the historical context from which it was written, therefore, I think it makes sense that Britomart is referred to as “the flowre of chastity,” for chastity and sexuality were not necessarily opposing forces.