Sir Philip Sidneys Astrophil and Stella Essay -- Astrophil Stella Ess

Sir Philip Sidneys Astrophil and S reassureaThe literary fortunes of Sir Philip Sidney illustrate nicely the contrast between the Elizabethan and twentieth ascorbic acid views on imitation and originality in literature. Sidneys sequence of 108 sonnets entitled Astrophil and Stella which appeared at the contain of the sixteenth century drew immediate praise from English readers who appreciated his blend of wit and sensibility, of intellectual brilliance and temperamental ardour (Lever 53) they care especially the directness and spontaneity (53) of the poems. Sidney himself contributed to his reputation for sincerity with the immortal lines of first-year sonnet Biting my truant pen, beating my self for spite, / Fool, said my ponder to me, look in thy heart and write. Teachers repeat this good advice endlessly. I tell my College Writing students to use personal experience one can simply go wrong with early childhood memories because the material is pure--not yet contaminate with the clichs of what we are supposed to believe and feel. Astrophil and Stella inspired literally thousands of sonnets and Sidneys admirers survey that he was greater than Spenser or Shakespeare. The idea that Sidney, himself happily married to Frances Walsingham, could be passionately in love with Penelope Rich and jealous of her keep up bothered Victorian critics. How can one justify Astrophils pursuit of criminal conversation? Various excuses were made for Sidney Elizabethan morals tended to be lax, it was Astrophil and not Sidney who was at fault, the marriage of the Riches was not what it should have been, etc. But the boloney of a passionate Astrophil who pursues the chaste Stella lost much of its appeal for other modestness with the advent of historical critici... ... most insightful and intelligent persons render to rationalization--in effect allowing reason to switch camps. Or in Sonnet 71 we see how beauty and Virtue naturally live together in Stella Virtue bends . . . love to good. But then, again, all is lost in the last line as the flesh triumphs over the spirit But, ah, rely still cries, give me some food. The sequence never does reconcile reason and desire it reminds me of the battle Paul describes in Romans 7. The last sonnet depicts Astrophils mental disarray, for he is unable to separate misery from ecstasy. Stellas influence upon him prevails so That in my woes for thee thou art my joy, / And in my joys for thee my only annoy. Works CitedLever, J.W. The Elizabethan have it off Sonnet. London Methuen, 1956.Nichols, J.G. The Poetry of Sir Philip Sidney. England Barnes & Noble, 1974