How Does Sidney Defend Poetry Against the Allegations

Answer

How does Sidney defend poetry against the allegations brought by Gosson? Or Critically comment on the arguments Sidney advances in favor of poetry. Or What charges are brought against poetry, and how does Sidney defend them?

Vindication favoring poetry is the prime segment of the first practical literary criticism of English literature, “An Apology for Poetry” (1595) by Elizabethan poet and critic Sir Philip Sidney (1554-1886). Sidney has given his logical and convincing answers against all the objections to poetry. There is no exaggeration in the essay, but there are strong references to defend poetry.

Objections or Imputations to Poetry:  Sidney mentions the blames of poetry in a very fantastic way:

Now then go we to the most important imputations laid to the poor poets

It is generally believed that Sidney was motivated by Stephen Gosson’s “The School of Abuse,” in which Stephen Gosson brought the following accusations against poetry.

• Poetry is a waste of time
• Poetry is the mother of lies
• It is a nurse of abuse
• Plato has rightly banished the poets from his ideal state or commonwealth.

Besides these major objections, some preliminary imputations are mentioned and answered in the essay.

Sidney’s Replies to the Blames Against Poetry: Sir Philip Sidney’s scholarly recounts of suppressing the imputations to poetry are detailed here with reference to “An Apology for Poetry.”

Response to the Preliminary Objections: First, Sidney solves the preliminary objections raised against poetry. He asserts that poetry is condemned by those who try to win praise for themselves by dispraising others. Sidney calls them jesters and clowns. However, some critics are serious about their censure because of the rhyme and meter of poetry. Sidney replies to such attackers:

One may a poet without versifying or a versifier without poetry.

The Most Lucrative Source of Knowledge: Poetry’s first major charge or grievance is that “poetry is a waste of time.” Sidney explains that studying poetry can help one achieve fruitful knowledge. Poetry teaches us virtue and moves human beings to pursue virtuous action.

For indeed poetry ever setteth virtue so out in her best colours, making fortune her well-waiting….

No other branch of knowledge, including philosophy and history, has performed these two functions more effectively than poetry from time immemorial. Thus, poetry is conserved and certainly given high prestige by Sidney.

Prophetic Status of the Poets: The second discontent is “poetry is the mother of lies,” which Sidney vehemently rejects. He denies this grievance and confers the poets’ prestige as diviners or prophets by mentioning the Latin word “Vates,” which means a diviner or prophet.

For he doth not only show the way, but giveth so sweet prospect into the way

He also cites the Greek word “Poiein,” which refers to maker. A series of disquisitions has been referred to in favor of poetry. Thus, poetry can never be a mother of lies.

The Use and Misuse of Poetry: Sidney then turns to the third charge against poetry, “It is a nurse of abuse,” which shows that poetry is accused of abusing men’s wit. Poetry infects the readers with vicious desires such as lustful love and so on. Sidney also laments the misuse of this pure branch of knowledge. So, poetry itself is not responsible for abuse but the rogue poets.

Unfair Reference of Plato’s Allegation: Sidney restrains and suppresses the fourth objection of poetry handily. He says it is generally believed that Plato was against poetry since he was a philosopher. However, Plato himself was a borrower of poetic technique because his language was highly poetic. He has not banished poetry from his ideal state, but the misuse or abuse of poetry has been thrown away from his commonwealth. He regards poetry as the product of divine inspiration. Therefore, Sidney regards Plato not as an adversary of poets but as their patron.

In termination, It must be asserted and praised that Sidney has paved the new way for poetry. If there is no Sidney in the history of English literary criticism, there is no safeguard for poetry. The attackers must consume this delightful teaching branch of knowledge through jealousy and conservativeness.