Apology for Poetry Essay - 1900 Words

An 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 well as Plato. Stephen Gosson’s Puritan credentials, disregards him as the primary source for submitting the essay. Sidney addresses the poetic contributions and principles demonstrated by Aristotle, Plato, and other European scholars. Plato’s†¦show more content†¦Sidney agrees with Plato’s doctrine that educational instruction is moral excellence and a capacity of universal knowledge which equips a mature virtuous man. To further the protection of poetry, he interprets Aristotle’s quote concerning the form of poetry as, â€Å"all virtues, vices and passions so in their own natural state laid out to the view that we seem not to hear of them but clearly to see through them (An Apology for Poetry 140). Nature provides its own natural resources for man to achieve universal knowledge; if man allows the aesthetics of nature to implement his mind, all virtues are achieved. Sidney acknowledges and makes frequent references of the essence to Plato’s â€Å"the beauty of virtue† (Samuel 387). Throughout the essay, Sidney validates Plato’s conception, †Å"Like the painter who portrays not Lucretia, whom he never saw, but the outward beauty of such a virtue, the form of goodness—which seen, they cannot but love† (Samuel 387). Plato’s profound theory on aesthetics is a significant pathway to poetry, because poetry is beautiful and man cannot help but to love moral excellence. Sidney upholds the truth and defense against the Socratic charges opposing poetry, â€Å"the poet, nothing affirmth, he therefore never lieth†. He delivers the expression that poetry is the truer ideal then other earthly being. â€Å"The defense of poetry as a mimetic art has already been made in the assertion that poetryShow MoreRelatedThe Defense of Poetry and An Apology for Poetry2888 Words   |  11 Pages 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 underRead MoreAn Apology for Poetry by Sir Philip Sidney2943 Words   |  12 PagesRichard L. W. Clarke LITS2002 Notes 01 1 SIR PHILIP SIDNEY, AN APOLOGY FOR POETRY (1595) Sidney, Sir Philip. â€Å"An Apology for Poetry.† Critical Theory Since Plato. Ed. Hazard Adam s. New York: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, 1971. 143-162. Sidney’s argum ent is divided into several sections and subsections. In order to m ake sense of this im m ensely long but im portant essay, you should read those sections m arked by an asterisk (*) below and in the order given: 1. From â€Å"Now then we go to the m ostRead 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 MoreSir Philip Sidney’s defence essay, â€Å"An apology for poetry,† refers to poetry â€Å"as an art of1900 Words   |  8 PagesSir Philip Sidney’s defence essay, â€Å"An apology for poetry,† refers to poetry â€Å"as an art of imitation [†¦] [that] speaks metaphorically† (Ferguson, Salter Stallworthy, 2005: 331). Sidney’s essay epitomises the pivitol importance and art of creating poetry. From the 1500’s to the 1660’s, England found itself a process of complete rebirth of all its important facets. Transformation in its social and cultural, as well as philosophical and religious approaches was evident. This transformational processRead MoreElizabeth Fuller And Anne Bradstreet1235 Words   |  5 Pagespunishment for her works becoming published was due to her brother-in-law, John Woodbridge, publishing them for her. He claimed that these works were done in her spare time, and listed off her redeemable qualities to make up for her taking on the hobby of poetry (Requa 3). By defending Bradstreet’s role as a good housewife and by emphasizing her devotion to religion, her reputation as a woman was protected (Henton, 305). This is an example of how she must earn a man’s consent before society would accept herRead MoreMargaret Ellen Lamb s Exploration Of Sidney s Defense Of Poesy922 Words   |  4 Pagesexploration of Sidney s Defense of Poesy notes early modern cultural anxieties around poetry s potential power to effeminise and infantilize. S idney 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 emerging capitalistic EnglandRead MoreAristotle s Views Of Poetry Essay1671 Words   |  7 PagesSocratic moral philosophy is important in poetry because it engages poets in rational thinking when making poems. Poetry is mostly communicated through written texts; it can be used to expand one’s knowledge of himself or herself and the world. However, philosophers disparage poetry by its composition and senses such as imitation, representation, fiction, and expression. On this note, Socrates used philosophical explorations to criticize the role of poetry in the world. Many poets engage in imitationRead MoreThe On The Good Life Essay1363 Words   |  6 P agesideas, their concepts varied widely. This contrast of ideas can be examined through two major characters in two famous works: Aeneas in â€Å"The Aeneid† and Socrates in â€Å"The Apology†. Aeneas exemplifies the philosophy that the direct route to â€Å"the good life is through faith, trust in the Gods, and family, while Socrates in â€Å"The Apology† emphasizes free will, and vast knowledge of life. Aeneas shows great commitment to the Gods throughout his mission in â€Å"The Aeneid†. He believes this devotion and trustRead 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 MoreWisdom And The Quality Of Being Wise1351 Words   |  6 Pagesgeneral knowledge we learn as a student or an employee. It also relates to our common sense we depend on to get us through our day, and even the desire we have about things we love to do. Socrates was a very wise man, and through Plato’s story â€Å"Apology†, I was able to learn a lot more about this man’s ability to teach and learn from the people around him. After all, he is a man who was on trial for â€Å"corrupting† the children’s minds even though he was really filling them with truthful and accurate