While most satyrs in classical mythology are largely considered immoral and mischievous, the satyrs in The Faerie Queene are actually quite helpful.
During a portion of book one, Una is running away from Sansloy, and she runs into Sylvanus and his satyrs. The satyrs are still pagan, however, and they begin to worship Una as they are able to recognize her divinity, but not the source from whence it comes (i.e. the Protestant church).
Una tells them not to worship her, but they continue to be deceived in their ways, even worshiping Una’s donkey. However, they are helpful in keeping her away from Sansloy.
See our complete list of Arthurian characters for more entries like this one.
Arthurian Bibliography
- Norris Lacy, Geoffrey Ashe, Debra Mancoff – The Arthurian Handbook (Second Edition)
- Alan Lupack – The Oxford Guide to Arthurian Literature and Legend
- Ronan Coghlan – The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Arthurian Legends
- Anonymous – Lancelot-Grail, the French Vulgate
- Sir Thomas Malory – Le Morte d’Arthur
See also my ever-expanding list of primary and secondary sources.
