Philip Sidney defends poetry in his essay
“An Apology for Poetry” from the accusations made by Stephen Gosson in his “School of Abuse” dedicated to him
. Sidney replies to the objections made by Gosson very emphatically, defending poetry in his essay. Sidney does this in a very logical and scholarly way.
How does Sidney define poetry?
Poetry, according to Sidney, is
an art of imitation, a representing, counterfeiting, or figuring forth
; to speak metaphorically, a speaking picture, with this end,—to teach and delight. …
What is the essence of Sidney Defence against poetry?
In his essay, Sidney integrates a number of classical and Italian precepts on fiction. The essence of his defense is that poetry,
by combining the liveliness of history with the ethical focus of philosophy
, is more effective than either history or philosophy in rousing its readers to virtue.
How does Sidney establish the superiority of poetry?
In Sidney's view, poetry is
superior to philosophy and history because of its ability to present vivid
, compelling examples to the reader not simply of what has been or will be, but what should be. The philosopher can only articulate an abstract description of an ethical principle.
How does Shelley defend poetry?
In A Defence of Poetry,
Shelley argued that the invention of language reveals a human impulse to reproduce the rhythmic and ordered, so that harmony and unity are delighted in wherever they are found and incorporated, instinctively, into creative activities
: “Every man in the infancy of art, observes an order which …
What does Sidney say poets are trying to do when they imitate life?
This work by Sidney is an early example of English criticism
What according to Sidney is the end of all learning?
Virtuous action
is, therefore, the end of learning; and Sidney sets out to prove that the poet, more than anyone else, fulfils this end. … The poet improves upon history, he gives examples of vice and virtue for human imitation; he makes virtue succeed and vice fail, and this history can but seldom do.
Why is poetry superior to history?
In Sidney's view, poetry is superior to philosophy and history
because of its ability to present vivid, compelling examples to the reader not
simply of what has been or will be, but what should be. The philosopher can only articulate an abstract description of an ethical principle.
Is the difference between prose and poetry?
Prose looks like large blocks of words
. Poetry is typically reserved for expressing something special in an artistic way. The language of poetry tends to be more expressive or decorated, with comparisons, rhyme, and rhythm contributing to a different sound and feel.
What is poetry according to PB Shelley?
Shelley defines poetry as
the mind at work through the power of analytical imagination upon thoughts produced by the faculty of synthesizing reason
. Reason “enumerates” the “qualities” of the objects of thought while imagination perceives the relationships and value of those objects of thought.
How does Shelley defend poetry and why?
In A Defence of Poetry,
Shelley argued that the invention of language reveals a human impulse to reproduce the rhythmic and ordered, so that harmony and unity are delighted in wherever they are found and incorporated, instinctively, into creative activities
: “Every man in the infancy of art, observes an order which …
What is the effect of poetry?
Researchers have recently studied exactly how it is that poetry affects us. They've found that it
triggers our emotions, strengthens our brains
, and gives us space for self-reflection. 1. Poetry, like Music, Triggers an Emotional Response. It turns out our brains process poetry and music similarly.
Why does Sidney condemn modern tragedy?
2. Sidney's Views on Tragedy: (a) Tragedy, according to Sidney, is an imitation of a noble action which demonstrates the uncertainty of this world and teaches virtue in a delightful manner. (b) Sidney condemns
the attempt of the English dramatists of his age to mingle tragedy and comedy
.
What is the end of poetry according to Johnson?
In the imitation of truth it is guided by reason and in affording pleasure by imagination. Johnson says in “The Preface to Shakespeare” that the end of writing is to instruct and the end of poetry is
to instruct by pleasing
. The truth of poetry is universal truth and it has a universal appeal.
What are the special claims of Sidney in apology for poetry?
Sidney writes, “There is no art delivered to mankind that hath not the works of nature for his principal object , without which they could not consist, and on which they so depend, as they become actors and players, as it were, of what nature will have set forth.” He claims that
poetry could not exist without nature as
…
What is the least important element of a tragedy?
Aristotle divides tragedy into six different parts, ranking them in order from most important to least important as follows: (1) mythos,
or plot
, (2) character, (3) thought, (4) diction, (5) melody, and (6) spectacle. The first essential to creating a good tragedy is that it should maintain unity of plot.
