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PHILIP SIDNEY: NATURE AND FUNCTION OF POETRY

 Discuss Sidney’s view of poetry, indicating its most important function. How far
this view is original?
 Examine the two definitions of poetry given by Sidney.
 What are the special claims for poetry made by Philip Sidney?

Introduction

Sidney includes all imaginative arts under the head of poetry. Even the early writers of history
and philosophy used the manner of poetry. Herodotus had all the qualities of a poet. Same
was the case with Xenophon.

Sidney’s Definition of Poetry

Sidney defines poetry in these words;

“Poesy, 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.”

In simple words, Sidney, following Aristotle's concept of Mimesis, defines poetry as an art of
imitation with the aim to teach and delight.

Nature of Poetic Imitation: An Idealization of Nature

Then Sidney proceeds to elaborate the view that poetry is an imitation. The poet, like other
men of learning, imitates the objects of Nature. However, the poet goes beyond Nature.
Poetry idealizes humanity and Nature.

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

The poet through his invention and imagination builds up another Nature. The poet either
makes things better than those which exist in Nature, or makes absolutely new forms such as
do not exist in Nature before. The world created by a poet is more beautiful, better, and
happier than the real world of Nature, because it is the idea of beauty, goodness, and virtue.

“Nature’s world is brazen; the poets only deliver a golden.”

Nature has- never created such a constant friend as Pylades, such a valiant man as Orlando,
such a true prince as Cyrus, so excellent a man in every way as Aeneas. All these men were
created by poets.

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Poet as Maker

Sidney says that he Greeks were fully justified in giving to the poet the title of a "maker". To
Sidney, a maker is a creator. Indeed, the creative faculty is the highest gift with which man
has been blessed; and this creative faculty is found in the poet to a greater extent than in any
other kind of man. Thus Sidney does not regard poetic imitation as something slavish. The
poet rises above this world of reality. Here the creative aspect of poetry must be recognized;
and Sidney rendered great service to literary criticism by recognizing and emphasizing it.

Antiquity and Universality of Poetry

Sidney defends poetry by pointing out that poetry was the earliest form of composition
everywhere, and that for a long time the philosophers of ancient Greece appeared to the
world in the guise of poets, while even the historians borrowed the poetic style of writing.
Among the ancient Romans, the poets were called "Vates", meaning a diviner or a prophet.
The ancient Greeks regarded the poet as a "maker". Thus the poet imitates Nature, as do
other artists and men of learning. But the poet, while imitating Nature, transcends it and
builds a new Nature.

Superiority of Poetry to History and Philosophy

Poetry is superior to both philosophy and history because it teaches virtue and urges human
beings to live virtuously. The philosopher teaches only by precept, and the historian teaches
only by example. The poet employs both the method of precept and the method of example.
The philosopher conveys virtue in an abstract manner. But the poet conveys virtue by a
concrete portrayal of virtuous characters. The poet is therefore superior to the philosopher.
As for the historian, he describes virtue and vice through actual historical examples; but he
has to remain tied to what has actually happened. The poet can mould the facts of life in any
way he likes so, he has a greater freedom than the historian. History describes what was
actually done while poetry tells what is fit to be said or what is fit to be done according to
the law of probability or necessity. Besides, history deals with the particular, while poetry
deals with the universal. Quoting Aristotle, Sidney says that poetry is more philosophical and
more serious than history. Poetry is superior to philosophy because it has the power to stir or
move the mind of the reader in a way philosophy cannot do.

Poet: The Monarch of All Branches of Learning

Sidney regards poetry as the most fruitful form of knowledge and therefore as the “monarch
of all branches of learning.” In this way Sidney glorifies poetry and ranks it not only above
philosophy and history but also above the sciences like astronomy and geometry. He goes to
the extreme when he says: "I still and utterly deny that there is, sprung out of earth, a
more fruitful knowledge (than poetry).”

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Three Kinds of Poetry

Sidney explains three kinds of poetry—(i) divine poetry such as is to be found in the Bible
(ii) philosophical and moral poetry produced by ancient poets and (ii) proper poetry the sort
with which Sidney is directly concerned. It is this third kind of poetry which imitates, it delights
and teaches; and moves the minds to goodness.

Function of Poetry: To Teach and Delight

According to Sidney, Poetry teaches and delights; but that is not all. Sidney also points
out the power of poetry to move the mind and to stir the heart. It is by its power to move the
minds it influences the behaviour and conduct. After reading Homer's Odyssey, and after
going through the incident of Aeneas, everybody would like to perform a deed of similar
virtue. Menenius Agrippa, the statesman was able by using a poetical device in his oration, to
avert a civil war in Rome. These examples show that the poet, using delight as his
instrument, influences the mind of the readers more effectively than any other art does. As
virtue is the most excellent end of all worldly learning, so is poetry the most familiar way to
teach virtue.

Poetry is not Rhyming and Versing

Another very important point which Sidney makes is that rhyme, or verse, or metre is not
necessary for poetry. He says, "It is not rhyming and versing that maketh a poet", just as
it is not a long gown which maketh an advocate.” The poet is recognized by the notable
images of virtues and vices which he offers in his work, and which impart both delight and
instruction. The work of a poet is distinguished by its delightful teaching. However, Sidney
admits that a large majority of poets have written in metre.

Conclusion

To conclude, we can say that Sidney comes very close to Longinus' view about the power of
poetry to "transport". In this respect, Sidney takes up a position which links him with
romantic poets though, on the whole, he is a neo-classical critic. The only thing which jars
upon minds is Sidney's repeated emphasis upon the moral and didactic aim of poetry. But
here it should be remembered the context in which Sidney puts this emphasis on the moral
aspect of poetry. Poetry was censured by the Puritans and it was necessary for Sidney to
meet the challenge which men like Stephen Gosson were flinging at it.

Resource Person: MUHAMMAD MUSSAWAR (M.A English; M.A TEFL) 0303-2461219