The Allegory of Guyon's Voyage

An Interpretation

Bibliographic Data

ID16006376
AuthorsB Nellish (corresponding author)
Year1963
Volume30
Issue2
Pages89-89
Publication date1963-06-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueELH (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0013-8304 • E-ISSN: 1080-6547
PublisherJSTOR (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.2307/2872083
OpenAlexW2330911466
LanguageEN
Citations received3

The voyage of Guyon to the Bower of Bliss appears to present the reader with no special problem of interpretation. As a narrative it is clearly modelled upon Tasso's account of the voyage of Ubaldo to the Isle of Armida in search of the enthralled Rinaldo.' Beyond it lie the great and wondrous voyages of ancient literature, Jason's search for the Fleece and Ulysses' long travel home. Like much serious Renaissance narrative however it offers the reader an idealised representation of a truth with universal significance: a hero tested and strengthened by the experience of much difficulty (like Ulysses, like Jason) approaches the final task in which he is to show not only the nature of the virtue he possesses but even more its heroic magnitude. The voyage and the journey through the Bower of Bliss itself reveal not only his temperance but the inflexible fixity of his will. Guyon through his trials has moved towards a resolute sense of purpose and the recognition of his own heroic stature. The difficulties he faces on the voyage to the Island therefore are devised by Acrasia in an effort to corrupt the will and deflect him from that purpose, at the narrative level not only by sensual attractions but even more by physical horror and simple fear

Allegory · Art · Art history · Interpretation (philosophy · Linguistics · Literature · Giambattista Vico and Joyce · Historical Art and Culture Studies · History · Philosophy · Travel Writing and Literature

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