In Edmund Spenser’s epic poem The Faerie Queene, the character Fidessa is an alias used by the witch Duessa. Duessa/Fidessa plays a significant role in Book I of the poem, where she serves as a deceptive and seductive figure.
Fidessa is introduced as a beautiful and alluring woman who encounters the Red Cross Knight, the protagonist of Book I, during his quest. She disguises her true identity as Duessa, a representative of falsehood and deceit, by presenting herself as a virtuous and innocent maiden. The name “Fidessa” itself suggests fidelity or faithfulness, which serves to further deceive the Red Cross Knight.
Under the guise of Fidessa, Duessa manipulates the Red Cross Knight’s emotions and leads him astray from his quest for truth and righteousness. She entices him with false promises of love and companionship, seeking to distract him from his noble purpose.
Throughout the narrative, Fidessa/Duessa embodies the archetype of the seductive tempress, using her beauty and cunning to ensnare the Red Cross Knight in a web of illusion and corruption. However, her true nature as a malevolent witch eventually becomes apparent, leading to the Knight’s eventual realization and rejection of her deceitful charms.
Fidessa/Duessa’s character serves as a symbolic representation of the dangers of deception and the allure of falsehood in Spenser’s allegorical exploration of morality and virtue. Throug her interactions with the Red Cross Knight, she illustrates the perilous consequences of straying from the path of truth and righteousness.
Source
The Faerie Queene | Edmund Spenser, 1570-1599