An Analysis of Sir Philip Sidney's The Defence of Poesy (The Macat Library)

"The Defence of Poesy is the first major piece of literary criticism in English. Taking aim at classical authors who disparaged poetry, and contemporary critics who saw literature as a corrupting influence, Sidney foregrounds the moral force of poetry. Sidney considers the real life affects of poetry upon the reader arguing that the stories instill virtues like courage in the reader. He combines this moral argument with a discussion of the technical features like genre, metre and rhyme. The Defence of Poesy thus began a long tradition of poets writing about poetry and is a touchstone for modern poetic criticism."--Provided by publisher Cover -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Table of Contents -- Ways in to the Text -- Who Was Sir Philip Sidney? -- What Does The Defence of Poesy Say? -- Why Does The Defence of Poesy Matter? -- Section 1: Influences -- Module 1: The Author and the Historical Context -- Module 2: Academic Context -- Module 3: The Problem -- Module 4: The Author's Contribution -- Section 2: Ideas -- Module 5: Main Ideas -- Module 6: Secondary Ideas -- Module 7: Achievement -- Module 8: Place in the Author's Work -- Section 3: Impact -- Module 9: The First Responses -- Module 10: The Evolving Debate -- Module 11: Impact and Influence Today -- Module 12: Where Next? -- Glossary of Terms -- People Mentioned in the Text -- Works Cited -- The Macat Library By Discipline 'the Defence Of Poesy' Is The First Major Piece Of Literary Criticism In English. Taking Aim At Classical Authors Who Disparaged Poetry, And Contemporary Critics Who Saw Literature As A Corrupting Influence, Sidney Foregrounds The Moral Force Of Poetry. Sidney Considers The Real Life Affects Of Poetry Upon The Reader Arguing That The Stories Instill Virtues Like Courage In The Reader. He Combines This Moral Argument With A Discussion Of The Technical Features Like Genre, Metre And Rhyme. It Thus Began A Long Tradition Of Poets Writing About Poetry And Is A Touchstone For Modern Poetic Criticism. Liam Haydon. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 76-78).