Sir Philip SidneySir Philip Sidney

Sir Philip SidneySir Philip Sidney

1554 – 15861554 – 1586By Egor TyurinBy Egor TyurinForm 10-VForm 10-VSchool 75School 75

Philip SidneyPhilip Sidney Sir Philip SidneySir Philip Sidney

(November 30, 1554 – (November 30, 1554 – October 17, 1586) became October 17, 1586) became one of the Elizabethan Age's one of the Elizabethan Age's most prominent figures. most prominent figures. Famous in his day in Famous in his day in England as a poet, courtier England as a poet, courtier and soldier, he remains and soldier, he remains known as the author of known as the author of Astrophel and StellaAstrophel and Stella (1581, (1581, pub. 1591), pub. 1591), The Defence of The Defence of PoetryPoetry (or (or An Apology for An Apology for PoetryPoetry, 1581, pub. 1595), , 1581, pub. 1595), and and The Countess of The Countess of Pembroke's ArcadiaPembroke's Arcadia (1580, (1580, pub. 1590).pub. 1590).

Born at Penshurst, Kent, he was Born at Penshurst, Kent, he was the eldest son of Sir Henry Sidney the eldest son of Sir Henry Sidney and Lady Mary Dudley. Philip and Lady Mary Dudley. Philip was educated at Shrewsbury was educated at Shrewsbury School and Christ Church, School and Christ Church, Oxford. He was much travelled Oxford. He was much travelled and highly learned. In 1572, he and highly learned. In 1572, he travelled to France He spent the travelled to France He spent the next several years in mainland next several years in mainland Europe, moving through Europe, moving through Germany, Italy, Poland, and Germany, Italy, Poland, and Austria. On these travels, he met a Austria. On these travels, he met a number of prominent European number of prominent European intellectuals and politicians. intellectuals and politicians.

Returning to England in Returning to England in 1575, Sidney met Penelope 1575, Sidney met Penelope Devereaux, the future Devereaux, the future Penelope Blount; though Penelope Blount; though much younger, she would much younger, she would inspire his famous sonnet inspire his famous sonnet sequence of the 1580s, sequence of the 1580s, Astrophel and Stella.Astrophel and Stella. Her Her father, the Earl of Essex, is father, the Earl of Essex, is said to have planned to said to have planned to marry his daughter to marry his daughter to Sidney, but he died in 1576. Sidney, but he died in 1576. In England, Sidney In England, Sidney occupied himself with occupied himself with politics and art. He politics and art. He defended his father's defended his father's administration of Ireland in administration of Ireland in a lengthy document. Sidney a lengthy document. Sidney was knighted in 1583. was knighted in 1583.

In 1583, he married Frances, In 1583, he married Frances, teenage daughter of Sir Francis teenage daughter of Sir Francis Walsingham. The next year, he Walsingham. The next year, he met Giordano Bruno Sidney was a met Giordano Bruno Sidney was a keenly militant Protestant. He had keenly militant Protestant. He had persuaded John Casimir to persuaded John Casimir to consider proposals for a united consider proposals for a united Protestant effort against the Protestant effort against the Roman Catholic Church and Roman Catholic Church and Spain. In 1585, his enthusiasm for Spain. In 1585, his enthusiasm for the Protestant struggle was given the Protestant struggle was given a free rein when he was appointed a free rein when he was appointed governor of Flushing in the governor of Flushing in the Netherlands. Later that year, he Netherlands. Later that year, he joined Sir John Norris in the joined Sir John Norris in the Battle of Zutphen. During the Battle of Zutphen. During the siege, he was shot in the thigh and siege, he was shot in the thigh and died twenty-six days later. died twenty-six days later. Sidney's body was returned to Sidney's body was returned to London and interred in St. Paul's London and interred in St. Paul's Cathedral on 16 February 1587. Cathedral on 16 February 1587.

Already during his own Already during his own lifetime, but even more after lifetime, but even more after his death, he had become for his death, he had become for many English people the many English people the very epitome of a courtier: very epitome of a courtier: learned and politic, but at learned and politic, but at the same time generous, the same time generous, brave, and impulsive. Never brave, and impulsive. Never more than a marginal figure more than a marginal figure in the politics of his time, he in the politics of his time, he was memorialized as the was memorialized as the flower of English manhood flower of English manhood in Edmund Spenser's in Edmund Spenser's AstrophelAstrophel, one of the , one of the greatest English greatest English Renaissance elegies. In Renaissance elegies. In Zutphen, the Netherlands a Zutphen, the Netherlands a street has been named after street has been named after Sir Philip. Sir Philip.

LegacyLegacy An early biography of Sidney was written An early biography of Sidney was written

by his friend and schoolfellow, Fulke by his friend and schoolfellow, Fulke Greville.Greville.

The Rye House conspirator, Algernon The Rye House conspirator, Algernon Sidney, was Sir Philip's great-nephew.Sidney, was Sir Philip's great-nephew.

In Zutphen, the Netherlands, a street has In Zutphen, the Netherlands, a street has been named after Sir Philip. A statue for been named after Sir Philip. A statue for him can be found in the park at the him can be found in the park at the Coehoornsingel, where in the harsh winter Coehoornsingel, where in the harsh winter of 1795 English and Hanoverian soldiers of 1795 English and Hanoverian soldiers were buried who had died while on retreat were buried who had died while on retreat from advancing French troops.from advancing French troops.  A  A memorial at the location where he was memorial at the location where he was mortally wounded by the Spanish can be mortally wounded by the Spanish can be found at the entrance of a footpath at the found at the entrance of a footpath at the Warnsveldseweg, southeast of the Catholic Warnsveldseweg, southeast of the Catholic cemetery.cemetery.

The funeral of Sir Philip Sidney, 1586The funeral of Sir Philip Sidney, 1586

Sir Philip Sidney, heroic Sir Philip Sidney, heroic Old Salopian. When Old Salopian. When mortally wounded he mortally wounded he refused a sip of water, refused a sip of water, insisting that it should insisting that it should be given instead to one be given instead to one of his injured troops.of his injured troops.

WorksWorks Astrophel and StellaAstrophel and Stella — The first of the — The first of the

famous English sonnet sequences, famous English sonnet sequences, Astrophil and StellaAstrophil and Stella was probably was probably composed in the early 1580s. The sonnets composed in the early 1580s. The sonnets were well-circulated in manuscript before were well-circulated in manuscript before the first (apparently pirated) edition was the first (apparently pirated) edition was printed in 1591; only in 1598 did an printed in 1591; only in 1598 did an authorised edition reach the press. The authorised edition reach the press. The sequence was a watershed in English sequence was a watershed in English Renaissance poetry. In it, Sidney partially Renaissance poetry. In it, Sidney partially nativised the key features of his Italian nativised the key features of his Italian model, Petrarch: variation of emotion from model, Petrarch: variation of emotion from poem to poem, with the attendant sense of poem to poem, with the attendant sense of an ongoing, but partly obscure, narrative; an ongoing, but partly obscure, narrative; the philosophical trappings; the musings on the philosophical trappings; the musings on the act of poetic creation itself. His the act of poetic creation itself. His experiments with rhyme scheme were no experiments with rhyme scheme were no less notable; they served to free the English less notable; they served to free the English sonnet from the strict rhyming sonnet from the strict rhyming requirements of the Italian form requirements of the Italian form

The Countess of Pembroke's ArcadiaThe Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia — The — The ArcadiaArcadia, by far Sidney's most , by far Sidney's most ambitious work, was as significant in ambitious work, was as significant in its own way as his sonnets. This book its own way as his sonnets. This book is delicated to Mary Sidney, his sister. is delicated to Mary Sidney, his sister. The work is a romance that combines The work is a romance that combines pastoral elements with a mood derived pastoral elements with a mood derived from the Hellenistic model of from the Hellenistic model of Heliodorus. In the work, that is, a Heliodorus. In the work, that is, a highly idealized version of the highly idealized version of the shepherd's life adjoins (not always shepherd's life adjoins (not always naturally) with stories of jousts, naturally) with stories of jousts, political treachery, kidnappings, battles, political treachery, kidnappings, battles, and rapes. As published in the sixteenth and rapes. As published in the sixteenth century, the narrative follows the Greek century, the narrative follows the Greek model: stories are nested within each model: stories are nested within each other, and different story-lines are other, and different story-lines are intertwined. intertwined.

The work enjoyed great popularity for The work enjoyed great popularity for more than a century after its publication. more than a century after its publication. William Shakespeare borrowed from it for William Shakespeare borrowed from it for the Gloucester subplot of the Gloucester subplot of King LearKing Lear; parts ; parts of it were also dramatized by John Day of it were also dramatized by John Day and James Shirley. According to a widely-and James Shirley. According to a widely-told story, King Charles I quoted lines told story, King Charles I quoted lines from the book as he mounted the scaffold from the book as he mounted the scaffold to be executed; Samuel Richardson named to be executed; Samuel Richardson named the heroine of his first novel after Sidney's the heroine of his first novel after Sidney's Pamela. Pamela. ArcadiaArcadia exists in two significantly exists in two significantly different versions. Sidney wrote an early different versions. Sidney wrote an early version during a stay at Mary Herbert's version during a stay at Mary Herbert's house; this version is narrated in a house; this version is narrated in a straightforward, sequential manner. Later, straightforward, sequential manner. Later, Sidney began to revise the work on a more Sidney began to revise the work on a more ambitious plan. He completed most of the ambitious plan. He completed most of the first three books, but the project was first three books, but the project was unfinished at the time of his death. After a unfinished at the time of his death. After a publication of the first three books (1590) publication of the first three books (1590) sparked interest, the extant version was sparked interest, the extant version was fleshed out with material from the first fleshed out with material from the first version (1593). version (1593).

'Defense of Poetry" (also known as 'Defense of Poetry" (also known as A Defence of PoesieA Defence of Poesie) — Sidney ) — Sidney wrote the wrote the DefenceDefence before 1583. It is before 1583. It is generally believed that he was at generally believed that he was at least partly motivated by Stephen least partly motivated by Stephen Gosson, a former playwright who Gosson, a former playwright who dedicated his attack on the English dedicated his attack on the English stage, stage, The School of AbuseThe School of Abuse, to , to Sidney in 1579, but Sidney Sidney in 1579, but Sidney primarily addresses more general primarily addresses more general objections to poetry, such as those objections to poetry, such as those of Plato. In his essay, Sidney of Plato. In his essay, Sidney integrates a number of classical and integrates a number of classical and Italian precepts on fiction. The Italian precepts on fiction. The essence of his defense is that poetry, essence of his defense is that poetry, by combining the liveliness of by combining the liveliness of history with the ethical focus of history with the ethical focus of philosophy, is more effective than philosophy, is more effective than either history or philosophy in either history or philosophy in rousing its readers to virtue. The rousing its readers to virtue. The work also offers important work also offers important comments on Edmund Spenser and comments on Edmund Spenser and the Elizabethan stage. the Elizabethan stage.

Role in societyRole in society Sidney attended the court of Sidney attended the court of

Queen ElizabethQueen Elizabeth Was considered Was considered ««the flower of the flower of

chivalrychivalry»» He had a strong influence on He had a strong influence on

Edmund Spencer, who dedicated Edmund Spencer, who dedicated the Shepherds Calendar to the Shepherds Calendar to Sidney)Sidney)

1580 – Queen Elizabeth 1 1580 – Queen Elizabeth 1 dismissed Sidney from her court dismissed Sidney from her court because he opposed her projectile because he opposed her projectile marriage to the Duke of Anjoumarriage to the Duke of Anjou

Sidney married Francis Sidney married Francis Waslingham in 1583Waslingham in 1583

The influenceThe influence Sidney, following Aristotle, writes that Sidney, following Aristotle, writes that

human action is tantamount to human human action is tantamount to human knowledge. Sidney’s program of literary knowledge. Sidney’s program of literary reform concerns the connection between reform concerns the connection between art and virtue. art and virtue.

One of the themes of the One of the themes of the ApologyApology is the  is the insufficiency of simply presenting virtue insufficiency of simply presenting virtue as an idea; the poet is needed so that men as an idea; the poet is needed so that men will be moved to virtuous action. From will be moved to virtuous action. From Sidney, this view can be connected with Sidney, this view can be connected with future literary figures, particularly Percy future literary figures, particularly Percy Bysshe Shelley, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Bysshe Shelley, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and William Wordsworth. and William Wordsworth.

The influence of Sidney's The influence of Sidney's ApologyApology also  also relates to the question of the poet's place in relates to the question of the poet's place in society. Sidney describes poetry as society. Sidney describes poetry as creating a separate reality, removed from creating a separate reality, removed from the world of everyday nuisances. the world of everyday nuisances.

Quotes and QuotationsQuotes and Quotations They are never alone that are accompanied with noble thoughts.They are never alone that are accompanied with noble thoughts.

——ArcadiaArcadia, Bk. 1., Bk. 1.

There is no man suddenly either excellently good or extremely There is no man suddenly either excellently good or extremely evil.evil.——ArcadiaArcadia, Bk. 1., Bk. 1.

I am no herald to inquire of men's pedigrees; I am no herald to inquire of men's pedigrees; it sufficeth me if I know their virtues.it sufficeth me if I know their virtues.——ArcadiaArcadia, Bk. 1., Bk. 1.

I seek no better warrant than my own conscience.I seek no better warrant than my own conscience.——ArcadiaArcadia, Bk. 1., Bk. 1.

It is a great happiness to be praised of them that are most It is a great happiness to be praised of them that are most praiseworthy.praiseworthy.——ArcadiaArcadia, Bk. 1., Bk. 1.

Liking is not always the child of beauty, Liking is not always the child of beauty, for whatsoever one liketh is beautiful.for whatsoever one liketh is beautiful.——ArcadiaArcadia, Bk. 1., Bk. 1.

Whether your time call you to live or die, Whether your time call you to live or die, do both like a prince.do both like a prince.——ArcadiaArcadia, Bk. 1 , Bk. 1

Beauty, which can give an edge to the bluntest Beauty, which can give an edge to the bluntest sword.sword.——ArcadiaArcadia, Bk. 1., Bk. 1.

Shallow brooks murmur most, deep silent slide Shallow brooks murmur most, deep silent slide away.away.——ArcadiaArcadia, Bk. 1.., Bk. 1..

A dull head thinks of no better way to show A dull head thinks of no better way to show himself wisehimself wisethan by suspecting everything in his way.than by suspecting everything in his way.——ArcadiaArcadia, Bk. 2., Bk. 2.

That only disadvantage of honest hearts, credulity.That only disadvantage of honest hearts, credulity.——ArcadiaArcadia, Bk. 2., Bk. 2.

As well the soldier dieth which standeth still, As well the soldier dieth which standeth still, as he that gives the bravest onset.as he that gives the bravest onset.——ArcadiaArcadia, Bk. 2., Bk. 2.