Examine Sidney's Defence of Poesie as a contribution to English Literature.

This essay is notable not only for the depth of argument that it contains as Sidney seeks to defend poetry from its attackers, who, at the time, were manifold. It is also notable for the lightness of his style and the universality of the examples that Sidney gives to support his points, which were often drawn from his own personal experience. Note, for example, the following quote, in which Sidney describes the impact of poetry upon himself:

I never heard the old song of Percy and Douglas that I found not my heart moved more than with a trumpet; and yet is it sung by by some blind crowder, with no rougher voice than rude style.

With this beautiful image, Sidney argues that true poetry, however it is delivered, will always be recognised as inherently valuable. Yet such poetic qualities in this work of Elizabethan prose are what makes it such a valuable contribution to English Literature as a whole, as these poetic qualities demonstrate the power of imaginative writing, as in the following example:

Nature never set forth the earth in so rich tapestry as divers poets have done; neither with so pleasant rivers, fruitful trees, sweet-smelling flowers, nor whatsoever else may make the too much loved earth more lovely. Her world is brazen, the poets only deliver a golden.

Note how this quote compares the work of Nature and poets, finding that poets are able to make the world more beautiful with their verse. It would be easy to find out the subject matter of this work of prose and to thence dismiss it as lacking in literary qualities, but throughout Sidney demonstrates the kind of poetic language and sensibility that he defines as characterising good poetry, making this a very worthy contribution to English Literature.

Examine Sidney's Defence of Poesie as a contribution to English Literature.

Many critics argue that this prose work by Sir Philip Sidney represents the first work of literary criticism in English Literature. It is clear, upon close examination, that this is a claim it would be difficult to refute. What makes this prose work so important and far reaching is the way that in it Sidney not only sets forth a defence of poetry as being vital for society and a highly noble profession, but he also surveys contemporary poetry and finds it wanting, discussing the various failings of the poetry of his day and comparing it to previous examples. Thus this treatise represents a piece of prose that could justly be considered the first work of criticism, as it examines the nature of poetry and the role of the poet. Note for example what he says about the ability of poets to create an alternative nature that can be more beautiful than the original:

Nature never set forth the earth is so rich a tapestry as divers poets have done, neither with pleasant rivers, fruitful trees, sweet-smelling flowers, nor whatsoever else may make the too much loved earth more lovely.

Sidney here focuses on the potential in poetry to improve upon nature rather than be restricted by it. Such ruminations represent the first of their kind in English literature. Elsewhere in the text Sidney talks about the various aspects of poetry such as rhyme and form, debating the merits of "versifying" for example and examining the two principle ways, one "ancient" and the other "modern." Such discussion of the technicalities of poetry again are novel, supporting the view that this treatise is the first work of criticism of English Literature.

In Defence of Poesie, what is Sidney's response to the Puritan critics' objection against poetry?

Sidney wrote this excellent example of Elizabethan prose at a time when poetry was being maligned by various Puritan elements as being responsible for corruption and vice in society. What Sidney does to counter these arguments is to go back in time and look at the role of poetry in building civilisation and how valuable it is. Consider the following quote in which Sidney begins his defence of poetry, and also his attack on those that unfairly blame it for all vice and corruption:

And first, truly, to all them that, professing learning, inveigh against poetry, may justly be objected that they go very near to ungratefulness, to seek to deface that which, in the noblest nations and languages that are known, hath been the first light-giver to ignorance, and first nurse, whose milk by little and little enabled them to feed afterwards of tougher knowledges.

Note how Sidney presents poetry. He argues that for all of the "noblest nations," poetry has been the "first light-giver to ignorance." He uses another metaphor to describe the key role of poetry, comparing it to a wet-nurse who gives milk to its charge, gradually weaning them so that they can face "tougher knowledges." Poetry has therefore played a key part in the development of civilisation as humans know it. Throughout his essay, Sidney argues that poetry has been of inestimable value in all ancient civilisations, and that humanity owes poetry so much for the way that it is a source of good education and moral values. Owing such a debt to poetry, therefore, it becomes impossible to suddenly ignore the importance of poetry to humans as a species and suddenly argue that it is the source of all vice and corruption.