Sir Philip Sidney - "An Apology for Poetry"
Introduction Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586) remains a cornerstone of Renaissance literary theory. His An Apology for Poetry (1595) is a seminal defense of literature against Puritan attacks, repositioning poetry as a vehicle for moral and intellectual enlightenment. This newsletter unpacks Sidney’s arguments, biography, and legacy, with detailed explanations of technical terms to aid scholarly comprehension. Biography Sidney’s life epitomized the Renaissance ideal of the "courtier-poet": Born : November 30, 1554, in Penshurst, England, to a noble family. Education : Studied at Shrewsbury School and Christ Church, Oxford. Traveled Europe (1572–1575), mastering languages (Latin, French, Italian) and absorbing humanist thought. Political Career : Served as courtier, diplomat, and Governor of Flushing (1585). Knighted in 1583. Literary Circle : Associated with Edmund Spenser and Fulke Greville. Penned Astrophel and Stella (sonnets), Arcadia (prose romance), and The Lady ...