Sidney's Defense of Poetry

Study Notes

An Apology for Poetry

Written by Philip Sidney in approximately 1580, published in 1595 after his death
Motivated by Stephen Gosson's attack on the English stage and general objections to poetry, including those of Plato

Defense of Poetry

Poetry combines the liveliness of history with the ethical focus of philosophy, making it more effective than either history or philosophy in rousing readers to virtue
There are three general kinds of poetry: religious, philosophical, and imaginative, with the last being written by "right poets" who "teach and delight"

Influence on Literary Criticism

Influenced subsequent history of English literary criticism, including Percy Bysshe Shelley's "A Defence of Poetry"
Shelley's work analyzes the inner essence of poetry and its development from and operation on the mind of man

View of Poetry and Poets

Poetry creates a separate reality, and the poet is not tied to any subjection
Poetry is equivalent to "skill", a profession to be learned or developed, and nature is the objective, empirical world
The poet can invent, and thus in effect grows another nature, making things either better than nature or quite anew

Notion of "Fore-Conceit" and Catharsis

A conception of the work must exist in the poet's mind before it is written
Poetry is capable of "making things either better than Nature bringeth forth, or, quite anew, forms such as never were in Nature"
The poet's mediating role between transcendent forms and historical actuality corresponds to the Neoplatonic doctrine of emanation

Theory of Metaphoric Language

Painting or "portraiture" is a recurring motif in Apology, applying language use in a way suggestive of modern literary theory as semiotics
Poetry is an art of imitation, representing, counterfeiting, or figuring forth, not unlike a "speaking picture"

Significance and Legacy

An Apology for Poetry is one of the most important contributions to literary theory written in English during the Renaissance
Advocates a place for poetry within the framework of an aristocratic state, while showing concern for both literary and national identity
Influenced the development of literary criticism and the role of poets in society

Literary Style and Method

Employs forensic rhetoric to make the argument that poetry conveys a separate reality, has a long and venerable history, and does not lie
Uses classical oration, including exordium and peroratio, to build his argument
Incorporates metaphor and allegory, such as the horsemanship imagery, to conceal and reveal his position

Description

This quiz is about Sir Philip Sidney's defense of poetry in a time of puritanical beliefs. It discusses poetry's importance, its mimicry, and its ethical function. Explore Sidney's contributions to literary criticism and his respect for tradition.