What do you understand to be the most influential factors shaping Spenser's career as a poet? Would you consider him an opportunist? [MEG 101 SPENSER]

Edmund Spenser's career as a poet was shaped by a number of influential factors, including his education, his religious and political beliefs, and his social and cultural context. Spenser was well-educated, having studied at Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he was exposed to the works of classical poets such as Virgil and Ovid, as well as contemporary English poets such as Philip Sidney. This education helped to shape his poetic style and his interest in classical and mythological themes.

Spenser's religious and political beliefs also played a role in his career as a poet. He was a devout Protestant, and his poetry often reflects his religious beliefs, as well as his support for the Protestant cause in England. Spenser also held political positions during his career, including serving as the Secretary to Lord Grey of Wilton during the latter's governorship of Ireland. This experience gave Spenser an intimate knowledge of Irish politics and culture, which he would later draw upon in his epic poem, The Faerie Queene.

Finally, Spenser's social and cultural context also played a role in his career as a poet. He was a member of the Elizabethan court, and his poetry often reflects the courtly values and ideals of the time, such as chivalry, courtly love, and honor. He was also influenced by the cultural and literary movements of the time, including the Renaissance and the sonnet tradition.

As to whether Spenser was an opportunist, this is a matter of interpretation. Spenser certainly used his connections and his political positions to advance his career as a poet, and he was not above flattery or praise in order to gain favor with powerful figures. However, it is also true that Spenser was a gifted poet who produced some of the greatest works in the English language, and it is possible to see his career as a poet as the result of his talent and hard work, rather than simply his opportunism. Ultimately, the answer to this question may depend on one's own interpretation of Spenser's life and career.