# Cynthia — The Faerie Queene character guide

> Cynthia in The Faerie Queene by Edmund Spenser.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** fayre Cynthia, faire Cynthia

**First appearance:** 0101-canto-vi

## Who they are

The moon goddess, also called Phoebe or Diana.

## Relationships

### [Faunus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/faunus)

_rivalry_

Cynthia, the moon goddess, punishes Faunus for spying on her nakedness, leading to a conflict of voyeurism and divine retribution.

## In the story

### [Sonnet XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/sonnet-xiv)

Referenced as Raleigh's 'faire Cinthia,' the object of praise in the sonnet.

### [Mutability: The Legend of Constancy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/mutability-the-legend-of-constancy)

The Moon goddess whose throne is threatened by Mutability; she maintains her seat with stern resolve.

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

The Moon goddess, sitting on an ivory throne, who is confronted by Mutability and refuses to yield.

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

The moon goddess, cited by Mutability as an example of change due to her varying phases.

## Links

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