# Archimago — The Faerie Queene character guide

> Archimago in The Faerie Queene by Edmund Spenser.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** subtill Archimago, Archimage

**First appearance:** 0023-canto-i

## Snapshot

An enchanter who works not with armies but with dreams, he splits lovers apart by giving them a perfect imitation of what they most want to see.

## Who they are

Archimago is the poem's first villain and its most patient, a hermit whose cell hides a laboratory of illusions and whose weapon is the false image. He engineers the rupture between Una and the Redcrosse Knight by conjuring a counterfeit Una in a dream, and his mischief sets the entire first book in motion. He matters because he shows that the poem's real battlefield is perception, and that the deadliest lies are the ones we half-want to believe.

## In the story

### [The Faerie Queene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/the-faerie-queene)

The evil enchanter who deceives the Redcrosse Knight and separates him from Una.

### [Canto I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-i)

The seemingly holy hermit who hosts the knight and Una, but is actually a sorcerer who uses magic to deceive.

### [Canto II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-ii)

Crafts a false vision to separate the Redcrosse Knight from Una, then disguises himself as the knight to further deceive.

### [Canto III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-iii)

Disguises himself as the Redcrosse Knight to deceive Una, is defeated by Sansloy, and is recognized and spared.

### [Canto VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-vi)

Disguised as a pilgrim, falsely reports the death of the Redcrosse Knight to Una and Satyrane, then pursues Una.

### [Canto IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-ix)

Mentioned as the one who imprisoned the Redcrosse Knight, leading to his rescue by Arthur.

### [Canto XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-xii)

Disguised as a messenger, he delivers Duessa's letter and is imprisoned after being exposed.

### [Book II: The Legend of Sir Guyon, or of Temperance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/book-ii-the-legend-of-sir-guyon-or-of-temperance)

Manipulates Braggadocchio to target Guyon and the Redcrosse Knight.

### [Canto I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-i)

Freed from captivity and seeking revenge against the Redcrosse Knight; deceives Guyon with a false tale.

### [Canto III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-iii)

Encounters Braggadocchio and Trompart, plotting revenge against Guyon and the Redcrosse Knight; promises Arthur's sword.

### [Canto VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-viii)

The false magician who incites Pyrochles and Cymochles against Guyon; flees with Atin after Arthur's victory.

### [Canto IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-iv)

Continues to pursue Britomart with malicious intent.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/archimago
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters