Defence of poesy. A Defence of Poesie and Poems, by Philip Sidney 2022-10-23
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Poesy, or poetry, has long been a subject of criticism and debate. Some argue that it is a frivolous and unnecessary form of expression, while others believe it to be a vital and important part of human culture. In this essay, I will defend the value of poesy and argue that it serves a vital function in society.
One of the main criticisms of poesy is that it is obscure and difficult to understand. However, this is not necessarily a negative quality. In fact, the complexity and depth of poetic language can make it a powerful means of expressing emotions and ideas that might be difficult to convey through more straightforward language. Poetry allows writers to explore abstract concepts and ideas in a way that is both artistic and thought-provoking, and it can be deeply moving to readers who are able to connect with the poet's message.
Another argument against poesy is that it is not practical or useful in the same way that more practical subjects, such as science or math, are. However, this view ignores the important role that art and literature play in shaping our understanding of the world and ourselves. Poetry has the power to inspire and challenge us, and it can help us to see the world in new and different ways. It can also serve as a powerful form of social commentary, allowing writers to speak out against injustice and inequality.
Furthermore, poesy has a long and rich history that is an important part of our cultural heritage. Poets have played a significant role in shaping the way we think and express ourselves, and their works continue to be studied and revered today. From the ancient Greek poets to modern-day writers, poetry has had a profound impact on society and has helped to shape our understanding of the world and ourselves.
In conclusion, poesy is a valuable and important part of human culture. It is not merely a frivolous or unnecessary form of expression, but rather a powerful and meaningful way of exploring and expressing our thoughts, feelings, and ideas. Whether it is used to express deep emotions or to challenge and inspire us, poesy serves a vital function in society and should be celebrated and supported.
The Defence of Poesy Sections IV, V, & VI & VII Summary and Analysis
To the second, therefore, that they should be the principal liars, I answer paradoxically, but truly, I think truly, that of all writers under the sun the poet is the least liar; and though he would, as a poet can scarcely be a liar. What care takes she for thee? Here Sidney was in earnest. Whether of these be the more excellent would bear many speeches; the ancient no doubt more fit for music, both words and tune observing quantity; and more fit lively to express divers passions, by the low or lofty sound of the well-weighed syllable. But the historian, by contrast, purports to present the reader with facts, so as soon as they play fast and loose with those facts, or smooth over certain details, or cast things in a favourable or unfavourable light depending upon their own biases, they run the risk of lying. I see within her smile More than reason can reveal thee. And, lastly and chiefly, they cry out with an open mouth, as if they had overshot Robin Hood, that Plato banished them out of his Commonwealth. The French, of the other side, has both the male, as bon: son, and the female, as plaise: taise; but the sdrucciola he has not.
A Summary and Analysis of Percy Shelley’s ‘A Defence of Poetry’
Because many people know about these subjects, it makes it hard for readers to refute his claims, while persuading those who previously wavered in opinion of poetry. Turnéd anew, by your means, Unto the flower that aye turns, As you, alas! Gosson offers what is in essence an attack on imaginative literature Griffiths 5. The poet then does not depart from external nature. He uses Greek mythology and Biblical literature because they are two major subjects that the vast majority of people have some knowledge about. However, they also have the ability to comprehend the world around them and offer explanations to those experiencing it and assist in making sense of what is happening in the present. Poetry has the ability to make people better people by teaching them love and virtue. With this claim, Sydney concludes his masterly work.
Usually in class we love sonnets because they're only 14 lines long, but don't be fooled. But let those things alone, and go to man; Now Poesy, Of chief, both in antiquity and excellency, which they that did imitate the inconceivable excellencies of God; such were David in the Psalms; Solomon in the Song of Songs, in his Ecclesiastes, and Proverbs; Moses and Deborah in their hymns; and the writer of Job; which, beside others, the learned Emanuel Tremellius and Fr. Draw in thy beams, and humble all thy might To that sweet yoke where lasting freedoms be, Which breaks the clouds, and opens forth the light That doth both shine, and give us sight to see. Heliodorus was Bishop of Tricca, in Thessaly, and lived in the fourth century. It was really one of the first famous English sonnet sequences, predating In it, a courtier, Astrophel, pleas to his beloved Stella for recognition but is eventually rejected. For, as I take it, to lie is to affirm that to be true which is false; so as the other artists, and especially the historian, affirming many things, can, in the cloudy knowledge of mankind, hardly escape from many lies.
When the right virtuous Edward Wotton He said, soldiers were the noblest estate of mankind, and horsemen the noblest of soldiers. For example: we are ravished with delight to see a fair woman, and yet are far from being moved to laughter; we laugh at deformed creatures, wherein certainly we cannot delight; we delight in good chances; we laugh at mischances; we delight to hear the happiness of our friends and country, at which he were worthy to be laughed at that would laugh: we shall, contrarily, sometimes laugh to find a matter quite mistaken, and go down the hill against the bias, But I speak to this purpose, that all the end of the comical part be not upon such scornful matters as stir laughter only, but mix with it that delightful teaching which is the end of poesy. Yes, here, in this poor, miserable hampered actual wherein thou even now standest, here or nowhere, is thy Ideal: work it out therefrom, believe, live, and be free. But drama bypasses the need for the audience to be literate. But both have such an affinity in the wordish consideration, that I think this digression will make my meaning receive the fuller understanding:—which is not to take upon me to teach poets how they should do, but only, finding myself sick among the rest, to show some one or two spots of the common infection grown among the most part of writers; that, acknowledging ourselves somewhat awry, we may bend to the right use both of matter and manner: whereto our language gives us great occasion, being, indeed, capable of any excellent exercising of it.
Thus, in this manner, poetry is presented once more as being superior. Anger, the Stoics said, was a short madness; let but Sophocles bring you Ajax on a stage, killing or whipping sheep and oxen, thinking them the army of Greeks, with their chieftains Agamemnon and Menelaus; and tell me, if you have not a more familiar insight into anger, than finding in the schoolmen his genus and difference? So doth the astronomer look upon the stars, and, by that he sees, set down what order nature has taken therein. They say the lyric is larded with passionate sonnets, the elegiac weeps the want of his mistress, and that even to the heroical Cupid has ambitiously climbed Alas! Among the Romans a poet was called vates, which is as much as a diviner, foreseer, or prophet, as by his conjoined words, vaticinium and vaticinari, is manifest; so heavenly a title did that excellent people bestow upon this heart-ravishing knowledge. He well found he received more bravery of mind by the pattern of Achilles, than by hearing the definition of fortitude. Buy Study Guide Most likely written in 1579, but not published until 1595, Defence of Poesy is a new response to an old charge against the legitimacy of poetry, one that had been leveled against the literary arts at least since School of Abuse and Plays Confuted in Five Actions. For example, he states that Menenius Agrippa, a Roman patrician, "behaves himself like a homely and familiar poet," a simile. Painting men, they cannot leave men nameless.
Now for similitudes in certain printed discourses, I think all herbalists, all stories of beasts, fowls, and fishes are rifled up, that they may come in multitudes to wait upon any of our conceits, which certainly is as absurd a surfeit to the ears as is possible. This purifying of wit, this enriching of memory, enabling of judgment, and enlarging of conceit, which commonly we call learning, under what name soever it come forth or to what immediate end soever it be directed, the final end is to lead and draw us to as high a perfection as our degenerate souls, made worse by their clay lodgings, can be capable of. For it was not the excellent Cato Uticensis, whose authority I would much more have reverenced; but it was the former, in truth a bitter punisher of faults, but else a man that had never sacrificed to the Graces. Notwithstanding, in a short time he saw the sun so risen above his horizon that both he and all his stars were glad to fetch light from him. Many are believed to have influenced this work especially including Stephen Gosson and his work, School of Abuse. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Hopefully it's more fun to watch me than it is to read The Defense of Poesy.
His reason is, because poesy dealeth with katholou, that is to say with the universal consideration, and the history with kathekastron, the particular. But if the question be for your own use and learning, whether it be better to have it set down as it should be or as it was, then certainly is more doctrinable 16 the feigned Cyrus in Xenophon than the true Cyrus in Justin; and the feigned Æneas in Virgil than the right Æneas in Dares Phrygius; as to a lady that desired to fashion her countenance to the best grace, a painter should more benefit her to portrait a most sweet face, writing Canidia upon it, than to paint Canidia as she was, who, Horace sweareth, was foul and ill-favored. These people basically argue that poetry is nothing but lies that lead society astray. When your ideal world, wherein the whole man has been dimly struggling and inexpressibly languishing to work, becomes revealed and thrown open, and you discover with amazement enough, like the Lothario in Wilhelm Meister, that your America is here or nowhere. But who should do thus, I confess, should requite the objections made against poets with like cavillations against philosophers; as likewise one should do that should bid one read Phædrus or Symposium in Plato, or the Discourse of Love in Plutarch, and see whether any poet do authorize abominable filthiness, as they do.
Master's thesis submitted to the Faculty of the North Carolina State University. But I still and utterly deny that there is sprung out of earth a more fruitful knowledge. Then, Dick, let us go hence lest we great folks annoy: For nothing can more tedious be than plaint in time of joy. How, then, could poetry foster corruption? After all, all the classical epics are written in poetic form. I would it were but thus, for thus it were too well. Upon the back of that comes out a hideous monster with fire and smoke, and then the miserable beholders are bound to take it for a cave. Critics take their pens to everything - high literature, pop culture, really anything.
