# Sir Guyon — The Faerie Queene character guide > Sir Guyon in The Faerie Queene by Edmund Spenser. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Guyon, the good Guyon **First appearance:** 0036-canto-i ## Snapshot The Knight of Temperance, who travels with a grave old Palmer and destroys the Bower of Bliss because pleasure unchosen is a kind of slavery. ## Who they are Guyon's quest is to capture the enchantress Acrasia, whose garden turns men into beasts by giving them everything they want. He is young, courteous, and severe with himself, refusing wrath even when provoked, and his aged Palmer steers him past temptations he cannot always see. When his horse is stolen by a braggart, he keeps walking, because temperance means the journey matters more than the mount. ## Relationships ### [Britomart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/britomart) _friendship_ Britomart and Sir Guyon are allies in the pursuit of virtue, with Britomart often tempering Guyon's zealous temperance. ### [Palmer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/palmer) _professional_ The Palmer serves as Sir Guyon's wise guide and counselor, steering him on the path of temperance. ### [Sir Calidore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/sir_calidore) _friendship_ Sir Calidore and Sir Guyon are fellow knights of the Faerie Queene, cooperating in their quests for courtesy and temperance. ### [Britomart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/britomart) _friendship_ Britomart and Sir Guyon are allies in the pursuit of virtue, with Britomart often tempering Guyon's zealous temperance. ### [Palmer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/palmer) _professional_ The Palmer serves as Sir Guyon's wise guide and counselor, steering him on the path of temperance. ### [Sir Calidore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/sir_calidore) _friendship_ Sir Calidore and Sir Guyon are fellow knights of the Faerie Queene, cooperating in their quests for courtesy and temperance. ### [Britomart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/britomart) _friendship_ Britomart and Sir Guyon are allies in the pursuit of virtue, with Britomart often tempering Guyon's zealous temperance. ### [Sir Calidore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/sir_calidore) _friendship_ Sir Calidore and Sir Guyon are fellow knights of the Faerie Queene, cooperating in their quests for courtesy and temperance. ### [Palmer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/palmer) _professional_ The Palmer serves as Sir Guyon's wise guide and counselor, steering him on the path of temperance. ## In the story ### [A Letter to Sir Walter Raleigh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/a-letter-to-sir-walter-raleigh) The second knight, in whom Spenser sets forth Temperance; he undertakes the quest against the enchantress Acrasia. ### [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) The knight of temperance, tempted by Mammon but remains steadfast. ### [Canto I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-i) Travels with the Palmer; is deceived by Archimago's false story and sets out to confront the Redcrosse Knight; later discovers the tragic scene of Mordant and Amavia. ### [Canto II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-ii) Narrates his quest and the tale of Mordant and Amavia; attempts to cleanse the babe's bloody hands. ### [Canto III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-iii) Begins his journey on foot after his horse is stolen; entrusts Ruddymane to the virgin. ### [Canto IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-iv) The knight of Temperance, who binds Furor and Occasion, and listens to Phedon's tale. ### [Canto V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-v) Fights Pyrochles, resists the Palmer's counsel, and wounds his foe. ### [Canto VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-vi) Guyon is led by Phaedria into the Idle Lake, resists her temptations, fights Cymochles, and departs. ### [Canto VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-vii) Guyon resists Mammon's temptations, arguing that wealth corrupts and that true honor lies in knightly virtue. ### [Canto VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-viii) Lies in a deep swoon after his time in Mammon's cave; is despoiled of his sword and shield by Pyrochles, but later revived and restored by Arthur. ### [Canto IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-ix) Travels with Prince Arthur, recounts his quest against Acrasia, and reads the 'Antiquitee of Faery lond' in the library. ### [Canto X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-x) Reads the Elfin chronicle up to Gloriana. ### [Canto XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-xi) Departs from the Castle of Alma at the start of the canto. ### [Canto XII: The Destruction of the Bower of Bliss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-xii) The knight of Temperance who, with the Palmer's guidance, overcomes perils and destroys the Bowre of Blisse. ### [Book III: The Legend of Britomartis, or of Chastity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/book-iii-the-legend-of-britomartis-or-of-chastity) Travels with Prince Arthur; jousts with a knight bearing a lion shield and is thrown from his horse. ### [Canto I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-i) Unhorsed by Britomart's enchanted spear; reconciled and travels with Prince Arthur. ### [Canto II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-ii) Travels with Britomart and defends Artegall's honor when she accuses him of dishonor. ### [Canto III: The Spousals of Faire Florimell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-iii) Appears to reclaim his stolen horse from Braggadocchio, nearly attacking him. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/sir_guyon - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters