  The spectroscopic and spectropolarimetric variability of the peculiar
variable V838 Monocerotis during the brighter phases of its multiple outbursts
in 2002 is presented. Significant line profile variability of H$\alpha$ and Si
II 6347.10\AA & 6371.36\AA occurred in spectra obtained between 2002 February 5
and 2002 March 14, and a unique secondary absorption component was observed
near the end of this time period. Our observations also suggest that multiple
shifts in ionization states occurred during the outbursts. Spectropolarimetric
observations reveal that V838 Mon exhibited both intrinsic and interstellar
polarization components during the initial stages of the second outburst,
indicating the presence of an asymmetric geometry; however, the intrinsic
component had significantly declined by February 14. We determine the
interstellar polarization to be $P_{max} = 2.746 \pm 0.011 %$, $\lambda_{max} =
5790 \pm 37\AA$, $PA = 153.43 \pm 0.12 ^{\circ} $, and we find the integrated
intrinsic V band polarization on February 5 to be $P = 0.983 \pm 0.012 %$ at a
position angle of $127.0 \pm 0.5^{\circ}$. The implications of these
observations for the nature of V838 Monocerotis, its distance, and its ejecta
are discussed.
