Theory and Criticism: Philip Sidney

An Apologie for Poetry/A Defence of Poetry

NET Question 2007-Dec: Sidney’s reasons for the superiority of poetry to history

1. Definition and function of poetry: is an act of imitation, a representation, a speaking picture, with the aim of instructing and delighting. Poetry moves man to virtuous action as it conveys universal lessons in a delightful manner. Poetry has the transporting power and hence teaches more perfectly than History and Philosophy.

2. Superiority to History and Philosophy: Poetry is superior to all the other branches of sciences, as poetry serves true knowledge which is self knowledge. In this respect, poetry is superior to Philosophy and History. Philosophy deals with abstract percepts which cannot be understood by the young, and History deals with concrete facts from which the readers may have difficulty to derive universal truths. Poetry combines both these advantages, and presents universal truths like philosophy through concrete examples like History.

3. Sidney’s views on Rhyme: Rhyme is not the essence of poetry, and poetry is not mere rhyming and versification. It is used to polish speech. Rhyme regulates verbal harmony and imparts order and proportion; moreover it adds a sensuous and emotional quality to poetry and also is an aid to memory.

4. Different kinds of Poetry: Religious poetry, Philosophical Poetry and The Right Kind of Poetry. This last kind of poetry can be further subdivided into:

Heroic: heroic and moral goodness is portrayed, about heroic men in action, inspires men to noble action

Lyric: praise of men and God; enkindles virtue and courage

Tragic: reveals wickedness of men and shows their downfall, brings out the uncertainty of life

Comic: ridicules the common errors; effective in warning men of such follies

Satire: laughs folly out of court

Elegiac poetry: arouses sympathy for the suffering and miserable

Pastoral: arouses sympathy and admiration for simple life

5. Sidney’s reply to the charges against poetry:

Charges

a)      Poetry is useless and a waste of time, there are more fruitful knowledge a man may spend his efforts on. Reply: Poetry is conducive to virtuous action and this has been amply demonstrated.

b)      Poetry is the mother of lies. Reply: the poet affirms nothing, and therefore he never lies. Poetry does not deal with what is, but what should or should not be, so there is no question of lying.

c)      Poetry has a corrupting influence, makes men effeminate and fills men’s minds with pestilent desires. Reply: Love is not bad for it shows an appreciation of Beauty. Many martial men have admired poets. Poetry has always moved men to heroic action.

d)     Plato banished poets from the Republic. Reply: Plato was not against poetry, but the abuse of poetry. Plato himself was a born poet and a large part of his dialogues is poetic. In fact he talks of Poetry as divine inspiration.

6. Reasons for the general decline of Poetry and Drama:

a) Peaceful years have bred a tame and sluggish generation devoid of the spirits necessary for poetic creation b) Genius was lacking in the age c) widespread ignorance of poetic art

7) Faults of contemporary tragedy: The Senecan drama and the Aristotelian percepts were the basis of Sidney’s criticism.

a)      Condemns the tragedy of his age for the incongruous mingling of the comic and the tragic, and the violation of the unities. Praises only ‘Gorbuduc’

b)      The ideal tragedy should be imitation of a noble action which stirs ‘admiration and commiseration’, and teaches the uncertainty of the world.

8) Faults of contemporary comedy: condemns the contemporary farcical comedy, and is in favour of a more intellectual comedy. He distinguishes between laughter and delight, and says that delight is permanent while laughter is merely scornful tickling. He points out that comedy should not portray painful deformity and things evil and vicious, for these may cause laughter but cannot give delight. The proper materials of comedy are the weaknesses, follies and foibles of mankind.

9)  Contemporary love poetry is degenerate, cold and unmoving. Its style is ornate and not suitable for the expression of passions.

10) Diction of contemporary poets: use far-fetched words and images, fon=d of pun and word play, write in ornate pompous style which confuses the reader, their work neither convince nor persuade.

English versification: a) the English language is superior to other continental languages because it fits both the classical and contemporary system of versification b) they have the caesura or the breathing space in the middle which the French and the Italian do not have c) English is capable of three kinds of rhyme