2/3 Arcadia: Summary of Book 3

I'm including a somewhat clumsy summary of the plot of Book 3. If anyone feels inspired to write a better . . .

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The Arcadia: Book III

(Courtesy of: http://home.utah.edu/~mp2434/522arc3.html)

Book three of Sidney's Arcadia begins with Pamela's anger and rejection of (Musi)Dorus because of his over-amorous advances towards her. Dorus, heartbroken an angry with himself, leaves and wanders about the forest in anguish. In the mean-time, the princesses Philoclea and Pamela, Miso and Zelmane are approached by six maids (later it is discovered that they are lead by Artaxia) who invite the four of them to the forest to watch some shepherds' sport. They agree to go, and on the way are brought to the hiding place of twenty armed men, who take the four captive. They bind and blind-fold Miso and leave her behind, and the other three are taken to the castle of Amphialus and Cecropia. Even though Amphialus is in love with Philoclea, it is his evil mothe that has engineered the captivity. (Amphialus is in bed recuperating from the wound Zelmane inflicted upon him.) Thus in her wickedness does Cecropia begin to work on the princesses to make them fall in love with her son, as she wants Philoclea to marry him (butto her, either will do). Both girls are steadfast in their refusals, and not Cecropia's pleadings or torments will move them. Thus commences the duels that take up half of the book. Sidney describes these with great (and sometimes gory) detail. Basilius, enraged at the captivity of his daughters, gathers his army and advances on the castle. As his attack is unsuccessful, he begins to send knights to challenge Amphialus, who is famous for his strength and bravery. Phalantus is the first, and he is defeated. Then Basilius sends for Argalus, who is at home in blissful happiness with his wife, Parthenia. Despite Parthenia's pleadings, Argalus obeyshe summons and challenges Amphialus. Argalus is mortally wounded, and before Amphialus can bestow the final-death blow, Parthenia interceeds. Argalus'death scene is absolutely heart-rending, as he says farewell to his beloved wife. Parthenia is driven mad with grief, and disguises herself as a knight. She, too, challenges Amphialus, and she is defeated. When mortally wounded, Amphialus discovers
her to be Parthenia, and he is struck with incredible remorse for what he has done. The burial of the lovers is a tragic and heart-breaking scene. Amphialus is becoming more and more torn. He loves Philoclea, but he is unhappy at the way she and her sister are being treated by his mother. Then Musidorus, disguised as the "Forsaken" or "Black" Knight challenges Amphialus. They fight, and are both seriously wounded. As Amphialus attempts to recover from his wounds, his mother decides to take drastic measures with the girls. She threatens to kill Pamela if Philoclea will not give in. Philoclea, believing her sister would do the same for her, refuses and says he would rather die instead. With some trickery, Cecropia makes each girl believe that the other has been executed. (Actually, Artaxia is executed in the guise of Pamela.) Pyrocles, still disguised as Zelmane, watches the supposed execution of Philoclea, and is struck with terrible grief. He bemoans his fate, and Philoclea, who is still alive, hears him and comes to comfort him. Amphialus, when he is able to move around again, discovers his mother's horrible treatment of the princesses, and becomes sad and angry. He follows her upto the top of the fortress, and there, with sword in hand, confronts his mother. He meant to kill himselfin his mother's presence, but Cecropia, fearing that he meant to strike her, and being burdened by her guilty conscience, threw herself over the side and died. Amphialus, watching this and being stricken with his own conscience, attempted to kill himself with Philoclea's knives (which he kept close to him). At this point, Queen Helen comes in search of him, and finding him thus, takes him away to possibly be saved byher surgeons (that earlier had restored Parthenia to full health). With Amphialus gone, his friend Anaxius takes charge of the prisoners, an soon finds himself in love with Pamela, and his brothers court Philoclea and Zelmane. Anaxius propositions Basilius so that they may marry the women, but Basilius refuses, and anotherbattle ensues.