Sir Philip Sidneys Defence of Poesie as an Apology for Imagination rather than Literature - Book Report/Review Example

SIR PHILIP SIDNEY'S "DEFENCE OF POESIE" IS AN APOLOGY FOR IMAGINATION RATHER THAN LITERATURE. The essay provides a brief introduction to Sidney, and his place in the English literature. It further highlights the influence of Renaissance on him and his works. The essay goes on to state Sidney's views on poetic creation. Then it talks about how Sidney defences imagination in his treatise. The essay concludes with the statement that the treatise is an appeal to imagination rather than an apology for literature. This essay concentrates on the topic of imagination and provides a conclusion that imagination is the core of poetry. The essay provides a glimpse of Sidney's "Apology of Poetry", and talks about how Sidney stresses the need for imagination in literature, through his treatise. Sir Philip Sidney was one of the brightest stars adorning the Elizabethan era. This age is called Elizabethan, because Queen Elizabeth ruled England during this period. She was a patron of arts, and this encouraged the artists to produce their work in abundance. The Elizabethan age saw great writers like Shakespeare, Marlowe, Kyd, Peele, Lyly, Wyatt, Surrey, More, Spenser, and Sidney. The wave of Renaissance that hit the English coast, made a great impact on these writers. Renaissance means 'rebirth'. It refers to the revival of interest in classical languages like Greek, and Latin. Historically, it follows the middle ages, but it is difficult to distinguish the end of the middle ages from the Renaissance. The Renaissance was a total break away from the middle ages. The Renaissance celebrated the learned, civilized, broad-minded, freethinking, and enlightened aspects of life. The spirit of Renaissance questioned everything related to tradition. Its influence touched all the walks of the Elizabethan period. Renaissance was a European phenomenon. It revolved around Individualism and Humanism. When England turned its attention towards the study of Latin, and Greek, it led to the publication of many books in all the fields of literature. England opened its doors to the learned masters, like Aristotle, Horace, Longinus, and Scaliger. Moreover, it was during this stage, Rhetorics entered the field of English literature. The rise of Criticism in England, can be traced back to the critical writings of a group of Cambridge Scholars, namely Roger Ascham, John Cheke, and Thomas Wilson. These Writers gave importance to prosody in their works. The most important theoretical document of English Criticism of the Renaissance is Sidney's "An Apology for Poetry ". The critical texts written in this era reflect the influence of the Italian literature. England witnessed the publication of the classical works, translated, and produced with the commentaries, and annotations. Many such works concentrated on the art of poetry. The Elizabethan scholars wrote apologies, or defences of poetry as the reply to the criticism of moralists, and of others, who did not favour the art of poetry. The best of such defences of poetry is Sidney's "Defence of Poesie ". The prefaces in most of the critical works, opposed the classical objections to the romantic forms, or literary texts of that period. Sir John Harrington's and Chapman's Prefaces to their translations of Aristo, and Homer can be cited as examples for such writings. From a study of the critical texts of this age, it emerges that the focus of the Renaissance ctitics were literary genres, decorum, and rules, the classical as against the English metres; and the justification of Imagination in the literature against the vigorous attacks from moralists, and classicists. Sidney was the greatest critic during Renaissance in England, who took the cudgel to advocate the role of imagination in literature. He was a scholar most travelled, and well versed in foreign literature. The influence of Renaissance has its effect in his justification of creativity in literature. Sidney was a true child of Renaissance. He was a versatile writer, and wrote many memorable works. He was a popular courtier, and a good friend of Spenser. Spenser had high regards for Sidney, and dedicated his "Shepherd's Calender", to him. Sidney, along with some other literary men of his day, started a literary society called the "Aeropagus". Sidney made favourable impression on everyone; he came across in his life. This was possible because of his amiable character, and much gifted abilities. Sidney's literary work was published only after his death. In his "Defence of Poesie", Sidney brings out his aesthetic theories, most of it influenced by the Italian scholars. Charles Eliot opines that, this treatise is infused with Sidney's own personality, and comments that, " it may be regarded as the beginning of literary criticism in England"(n.p.). Many during Sidney's time did not favour poetry. Many were confused regarding the nature of poetry. Some considered it worthless, and condemned it. There was a need for understanding the true nature of poetry, and its function. They tried to analyse, and explain the nature of poetry. Most of the writers of the age, who were under the patronage of Queen Elizabeth, had a profound knowledge of poetry. Yet many critics like Stephen Gosson, thought that poetry was corruptive in nature. Gosson in his "School of Abuse" condemned poetry as immoral. This attack on poetry provoked Sidney to write a defence, or an apology, justifying the virtue of poetry. The word 'apology' in Greek means defence. To quote Gray, an apology is "autobiographical, confessional, critical, or philosophical literature in which the author argues a case for his beliefs, opinions or actions. (An Apology is) A justification or vindication, not necessarily apologetic in tone" (p. 22). Sidney's apology is more than a defence. It put forth his concept of imagination in poetry. Sidney wrote "Apology for Poetry ", probably after Gosson's "The School of Abuse" had been published. Sidney's work was published in 1595, one edition by Ponsonby, and another by Olney. Sidney in his treatise depicts the concern of all the writers for the preservation of creativity in any piece of work. More than the style, he talks about the imitation of nature, in his work. Sidney was an intellectual mellowed by the gentle breeze of the Renaissance. Sidney's argument that imagination is the core of literature depicts the influence of renaissance on him. Though the concept of imagination in Sidney's work is not a much discussed topic, it is evident from the text that Sidney argues in favour of imagination in literature. A renowned author, Bear is of the opinion, There is one aspect of the Defence, however, that has been often noted only in passing, and often dismissively, and as I feel it is Sidney's main point I will attempt to throw a light on it. Sidney is conscious throughout his defence that it is fiction he is defending, and that his strength lies in attacking the privilege generally accorded to fact (n.p.). Thus, Sidney responded sensitively to his contemporary literature, and on the true nature of poetry, through his work. This essay intends to highlight the importance of imagination in Sidney's "Defence of Poesie". His work argues that poetry is highly valued, because of its Universal nature. Sidney states that since literature makes use of imagination, it appeals to the readers and in the process becomes Universal. He goes on to talk about the nature and function of poetry. In addition, he argues efficiently against the charges placed on poetry, and proves that poetry is superior to all the art forms. He criticizes his contemporaries, and the lack of creativity in their works. Further, he analyses the style of the poetry, and mentions that it should be a handmaid to imagination. He declares that poetry should faithfully imitate nature. Thus, he establishes the importance of imagination for writers, to produce masterpieces in literature. He insists that only an imaginative approach to poetry is a true kind of poetry. Sidney stresses two main aspects of literature in his treatise. They are the nature, and function of literature. Sidney says that poetry is better than other branches of literature, because it seeks the aid of imagination in creating a piece of work. The function of poetry is to delight, and teach. Sidney points out that literature can delight the readers, only when a little amount of imagination enhances it. According to him, poetry mirrors the real life faithfully, because imagination assists it to convey the message to the readers. To use Sidney's words, Poetry therefore is an art of imitation, for so Aristotle termeth it in his word 'Mimesis', that is to say, a representing, counterfeiting, or figuring forth to speak metaphorically, a speaking picture with this end, to teach and delight. (L.253-256) Sidney tells that the Romans, and Greek, honoured the poets because they were not slaves to nature. On the other hand, they invented things better than nature in their works. This fact highlights the significance they imparted to imagination in literature. Further, Sidney brings up the topic of emotion, and says that poets are able to express their emotions, subtly and vividly, only with the help of imagination. To prove this point, he cites the example of Psalms in the Bible. This is true, for even in our time, Psalms touches our heart more than any other books of Bible. Sidney observes that subjects like science, philosophy, and history state facts. Yet these fields do not capture the hearts of the readers like poetry. For poetry combines the advantages of all these subjects. It presents universal truths with creative examples. By using imagination, poetry teaches virtue even to an ordinary man. Because of the common imageries poetry use, it not only gives pleasure to the readers, but also makes the message intelligible to the illiterate men. Sidney crowns poetry as the most effective way to communicate with people, because it is the only genre, where there is a scope for the writer to use imagination. Sidney is partial to poetry, in his "Defence of Poesie", because of its universal nature. He pays this tribute to imagination. Only because of this aspect mingled with reality, many works are able to withstand the ravages of time. It is no wonder he insists that imitation is essential for literature. Through his treatise, he has established the fact that imagination is the core of literature. Sidney divides poetry into three categories. They are religious poetry, philosophical poetry, and the true and real kind of poetry that imitates nature. He appreciates the third type of poetry as the work of literature in the real sense. This is because, the right kind of poetry Sidney says is an imaginative treatment of life and nature. The poets, who fall under this category, enjoy full freedom to invent things. Sidney is of the view, "They imitate and borrow nothing of what is, hath been or shall be, but what may be and should be, is always under their consideration "(L.290-294). The above quoted line proves the importance of imagination in any literary work. Sidney adds on to state his views about the style of a literary work. He is of the view, that the poets can deviate from the established style to adapt free verse for poetry. He advocates it, because imagination requires free verse to convey the emotions to the readers. The poets prefer this medium, because they were able to convey their poetic inventions easily through it. The use of imagination calls for the free flow of thought. Therefore, when the poets try to bottle down their inventions through the established verse form, it fails to reach out to the common person. Thus, Sidney feels that verse should be flexible to allow the free flow of imagination. There is no wonder; he criticizes his contemporaries for their habit of restricting themselves to the classical style of writing. Sidney points out that due to the lack of imagination in the works; there was a decline in literature of his period. He condemns the lack of creativity, the uninterrupted flow of imagination in the literature of his contemporaries. Sidney also criticizes the diction of his period. He depreciates the focus of the writers on word play, and ornamental style of writing. He is against it, for this, much fuss over the style marginalizes the use of imagination in literature. Sidney proceeds to say that poetry is far ancient than other branches of literature. Even the uncivilized people sung songs about their heroes, where they used their imagination in describing the victories of the warriors. The poetry surpasses other branches of studies in providing moral doctrines through delightful description. So imagination does not destroy the beauty of the subject in anyway, nor does it stop poetry from giving moral teachings. Sidney feels that poetry deserves all praises, when it attains its destination. That is to impart pleasure to the readers and simultaneously teaching moral values to them. A poet says, Sidney impart knowledge by his imaginative portrayal of the scene, He also is an improver and reformer of men and their manners. Therefore, he reigns over all the writers. All the credit goes to his poetic inventions. Therefore, imagination is vital for a literary person. It makes him a creator, a maker, and an inventor. The Imagination crowns a poet, king of all subjects. To conclude, in every line of his work, Sidney stresses the value of imagination. According to him, imagination is vital to literature. Sidney points out that literature which has imagination as its essence stand out as masterpieces. Sidney highlights the superiority of imagination over the style, in his work. He asserts without a doubt, that style and diction should assist a writer in the imaginative portrayal of the real life. He advocates creativity in literature. He states that literature without imagination does not serve any purpose. Thus, it is not an overstatement to comment, that Sidney's "Apology for Poetry" is in fact an apology for imagination. ************* REFERENCES Bear, R.S. (Ed.), (1995). Sidney's Defense of Poesie. University of Oregon: Renascence Editions from http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/rbear/defensce.html Doherty, M.J. (1991). The Mistress-Knowledge: Sir Philip Sidney's Defence of Poesie and Literary Architectonics in the English Renaissance. Nashville: Vanderbilt University Press. Eliot, Charles. (Ed.), (1909-14). English Essays from Sir Philip Sidney to Macaulay. (Vol. xxvii). New York: Collie & Sons from http://www.bartleby.com/27 Gray, Martin. (1984). A Dictionary of Literary Terms. England: Longman Press.22. Sidney, Philip. An anthology of Poetry. In D.J. Chickera. (Ed.), English Critical Texts. (1962). England: Oxford University Press. April 4, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/philip_sidney ******** Read More