# Marinell — The Faerie Queene character guide

> Marinell in The Faerie Queene by Edmund Spenser.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Sir Marinell, the lucklesse Marinell

**First appearance:** 0049-canto-i

## Snapshot

A knight whose mother's prophecy made him shun love as a mortal danger, until Florimell's beauty proves the prophecy right in ways he never expected.

## Who they are

Marinell is the poem's great refuser of love, raised by a sea-nymph to believe that desire for a woman will be his death. When Florimell's beauty overwhelms him, he is wounded not by her but by his own fear, and his recovery becomes a slow education in courage. His story matters because it shows that the poem's knights are not only tested by monsters but by the private prophecy each carries against his own heart.

## Relationships

### [Sir Artegall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/sir_artegall)

_rivalry_

Marinell, the sea knight, initially opposes Sir Artegall in battle, leading to a conflict driven by pride and territorial defense.

### [Sir Artegall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/sir_artegall)

_rivalry_

Marinell, the sea knight, initially opposes Sir Artegall in battle, leading to a conflict driven by pride and territorial defense.

## In the story

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

Wounded by Britomart and left for dead on the shore; his mother Cymoënt retrieves him.

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

Marinell is the son of a sea nymph, loved by Florimell but indifferent to her; rumored slain by a foreign foe.

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

Referenced as Florimell's beloved, whom she seeks.

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

Mentioned as having suffered 'late ruine' at Faery court, prompting Florimell's departure.

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

Healed by Tryphon and kept by his mother; his pride led to his wound from Britomart.

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

Wastes away from love for Florimell; hears her lament, is revived by her presence, but falls into despair and illness.

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

Mentioned as the spouse of Florimell, with their bridal celebration imminent.

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

Marries Florimell and excels in the tournament but is captured; rescued by Artegall.

## Links

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