Sir Philip Sidney’s An Apology for Poetry (English Literature up to 1590)
Sir Philip Sidney’s An Apology for Poetry (also known as The Defence of Poesy), written around 1579–1580 and published posthumously in 1595, is one of the most important works of Renaissance literary criticism. It defends poetry against Puritan attacks, particularly Stephen Gosson’s The School of Abuse (1579), which condemned literature as immoral and frivolous. Sidney’s treatise asserts poetry’s moral and intellectual value, blending classical and Renaissance ideas.
Key Arguments in An Apology for Poetry
Poetry as the Oldest and Noblest Art – Sidney traces poetry’s origins to ancient civilizations, arguing that it predates philosophy and history. He cites biblical and classical examples (e.g., the Psalms, Homer) to prove its enduring significance.
Poetry as a Moral Force – Unlike history (limited to facts) or philosophy (too abstract), poetry delights while instructing. It presents idealized examples of virtue and vice, inspiring readers toward ethical behavior.
The Poet as a Divine Creator – Sidney elevates the poet above historians and philosophers, calling them "makers" who imitate nature but improve upon it, creating a "golden world" superior to the "brazen" real world.
Response to Critics – Sidney refutes claims that poetry is lies, wasteful, or corrupting. He argues that abuse stems from bad poets, not poetry itself, just as a sword’s misuse doesn’t condemn the weapon.
Style and Influence
Written in eloquent, persuasive prose, blending wit, logic, and classical references (Aristotle, Horace).
Establishes English poetry’s legitimacy, influencing later critics like Dryden and Shelley.
Defends imaginative literature’s role in education and society, a foundational text for literary theory.
Conclusion
Sidney’s Apology is both a passionate defense and a Renaissance manifesto for poetry’s power to uplift humanity. Its humanist ideals and rhetorical brilliance secure its place as a cornerstone of Elizabethan literature.