Book 4, Canto 12 Summary

Marinell wanders off during the big bash and hears Florimell bemoaning her fate in Proteus's dungeon. Hearing his name as the cause of her plight (she fled the court after hearing news of his downfall), he falls into a deep depression because he can't release her from the prison. He returns home with his mother, and after much moping around, she finally discovers that it is love that has him so depressed. She takes his case to Jove, who manages to get Florimell released. Marinell and Florimell are married (the only marriage that actually takes place within the book).

Book 4, Canto 12 Analysis

Marinell and Florimell's relationship serves as a model for a decent marriage, but what shadows it is Marinell's reliance on his mother. A true mama's boy, he listened to her warnings against women for most of his life, then...