The Defense of Poetry and An Apology for Poetry - 2888 Words

Written in 1821, and published posthumously nineteen years later, Sidney’s essay, known as both The Defense of Poetry and An Apology For Poetry, stands as one of the most enduring writings on the merits of poetry and was highly influential upon the views of the period. Written, partially as a response to Stephen Gosson’s ‘School of Abuse’ and wider challenges to poetry, such as those of Plato. COULD SAY MORE SPECIFICALLY WHAT CHALLENGES HE IS RESPONDING TO HERE The essay operates under the central premise that the highest function of literature is to guide man towards virtue and serves to argue that poetry is the best literary vehicle to accomplish this. Sidney’s opening assertion of the merits of poetry is to claim it: ‘the first light-giver to ignorance, and the first nurse, whose milk by little and little enabled them to feed afterwards of tougher knowledges.’ Sidney takes little time in arguing this point or considering challenges, holding it to be self-evident. In considering how convincingly Sidney makes his argument, it is important to explore and challenge this premise. Perhaps the best contender for a role of equal value in literature is that of catharsis. Aristotle’s poetics, from which the term first appeared, defines the process of catharsis as using vicarious experience through literature and drama to guide the audience through negative emotions and therefore ‘effecting the proper purgation of these emotions.’ The dissipation ofShow MoreRelatedMargaret Ellen Lamb s Exploration Of Sidney s Defense Of Poesy922 Words   |  4 PagesMary Ellen Lamb s exploration of Sidney s Defense of Poesy notes early modern cultural anxieties around poetry s potential power to effeminise and infantilize. Sidney challenges contemporary accusations against poetry, existing on concerns for the morality and virtuosity of its audiences. However Lamb supplies an additional stance regarding the masculine intellectual ideology of the Tudor education system. This suggests that poetry halts the indoctrination of young adult males into an emergin gRead More Apology for Poetry Essay1900 Words   |  8 PagesAn â€Å"Apology for Poetry† is a compelling essay refuting the attack on poetry by Puritan and fundamentalist Stephen Gosson. This complex article written by Sir Phillip Sidney represents the decisive rebuttal defending poetry. His strong emotive passages defend the uncongenial comments of poetry from Gosson. Although, his justification for the rebuttal is alluded to Gosson’s durable attacks on poetry; it is known Gosson’s remarks prompt Sidney’s attitude to defend not only against Gosson but as wellRead More Literature and Virtue in Sidneys Apology for Poetry Essay1197 Words   |  5 PagesLiterature and Virtue in Sidneys Apology for Poetry      Ã‚  Ã‚   In An Apology for Poetry Sir Philip Sidney attempts to reassert the fundamental importance of literature to society in general as well as to other creative and intellectual endeavors. Though Sidneys work does provide a synthesis (and in some cases an aberration) of much Greek and Roman literary theory, his argument aspires to go beyond an esoteric academic debate. Literature can teach and delight in a manner which other methodsRead MoreSidney Defends The Worth Of Poetry2624 Words   |  11 PagesSidney defends the worth of poetry by presenting us with a long defense written to William Ponsonby, a very popular publisher of the Elizabethan era. Sidney breaks his argument down into eight sections, each one arguing another point as to why poetry is worthy and should not be thought of as sub-par literature. His arguments are thorough, leaving no gaps between thoughts, and very persuasive in both content and style. I believe his argument is both successful and thorough, cover ing everything thatRead MoreBroken Family3761 Words   |  16 Pagesâ€Å"Personal background† Born: 384 BC Stagira, Chalcidice Died: 322 BC (aged 61 or 62) Euboea Nationality: Greek Era: Ancient philosophy Region: Western philosophy School: Peripatetic schoolAristotelianism Main interests: Physics, Metaphysics, Poetry, Theatre, Music, Rhetoric, Politics, Government, Ethics, Biology, and Zoology Notable ideas: Golden mean, Aristotelian logic, syllogism, hexis, homomorphism, Aristotles theory of soul Plato Philosopher Plato was a philosopher in ClassicalRead MoreLenses of Education 1051 Words   |  4 Pagestrial in the â€Å"Apology† and in â€Å"Meno.† One of the main factors discussed in both texts are the role of teachers in society and if Socrates is a teacher. Socrates also relates past stories or experiences when giving his dialogues. This allows him to explain his thoughts and reasons on certain topics. One final factor that plays a role in both the â€Å"Apology† and â€Å"Meno† is the role of the gods through the dialogues. Teachers, stories, and the role of gods all play a key role in the â€Å"Apology† and â€Å"Meno†Read MoreApology, By Plato s Apology1298 Words   |  6 Pagesknowing you know nothing.† In â€Å"Apology,† written by Plato, this ethical belief makes a bold appearance demonstrating that true ignorance only revolves around those who think that they know everything. In â€Å"Apology,† Socrates learns that the wisest men are those who do not think of themselves of wise, and rather make an approach of going beyond an authentic method of inquiry and helping others seek their personal philosophies which may result in conflict. In Plato’s â€Å"Apology,† Socrates demonstrates thatRead MoreSocrates Argument Of Wisdom1673 Words   |  7 Pagesdiscredits a defense or the way one undermines an argument, and sometimes they just bring things into question. A specific situation is Socrates’ defense in The Apology. One could assume that the gentlemen of the law were closely examining and judging Socrates’ words and statements, but possibly more than the gentlemen, philosophers examine Socrates’ words through the text. Many thinkers have found great and small contradictions throughout, one concerning Socrates’ statements of wisdom. In The Apology SocratesRead MoreMachiavelli s The Prince And Plato s Apology1697 Words   |  7 PagesMachiave lli’s â€Å"The Prince† and Plato’s â€Å"Apology† Philosophers have unique and yet similar ways of interpreting life through a variety of different values and beliefs appointed to oneself. Some philosophers have the ability and courage to stand up to what they are trying to accomplish or for what they believe in, even if consequences follow their actions. Machiavelli and Plato have different perspectives and goals in their writing, however their stories also have some underlining similarities suchRead More Socrates Essay1087 Words   |  5 Pagesof absolutes. This alternative is not without its faults. Socratic philosophy is plagued by a destructive element. It reduces the authoritative opinions about political life but replaces it with nothing. This is the vital stem from which the quot;Apology of Socratesquot; is written. Because of the stinging attack on Athenian life, and the opinions which they revere so highly, Socrates is placed on trial for his life. The question now becomes why and in what manner did Socrates refute the gods and