My first encounter with Sir Philip Sidney was in the requisite trudge through the Norton in English Lit survey in college. I was already a literature geek, and had read (or knew about) most of the authors in the Norton. I was shocked to discover: 1) how magnificent a poet Sidney was (one can make a case he’s better than Shakespeare), 2) how unknown he is (he barely received a handwave in the direction of “In Defence of Poesy” in class), and 3) how much even the English professors don’t care about his work. I think there are two main reasons for his neglect: 1) his work hasn’t developed general cultural relevance ( he’s an Elizabethan poet read only by Elizabethan scholars, while Shakespeare is not only performed but memed), and 2) his work is too technically difficult, both linguistically and metrically, i.e. it takes too much time in class for a teacher to make him accessible. For me, at least, he is well worth the time and effort, and I would recommend all of his work, not just the Arcadia. Sorry for the length of the post, and thank you for mentioning Gower, if only in passing.
One of the podcasts I listen to on the Shakespeare authorship question (apokalupsis historia) is a big cheerleader for Sidney, which got me to read the Oxford major works. The selections from the Arcadia gave no clue of the scope of the work. But the sonnets were beautiful. You also didn't make any mention of the love he had for Penelope Rich - whom he mentioned as he lay dying in a heartbreaking section (appendix c, p.317).
Yet another one for “the never heard of it, now have to find it” list. I actually have a copy of the Romance of the Rose, not from a class either. Always interested in “forgotten greats.”
My first encounter with Sir Philip Sidney was in the requisite trudge through the Norton in English Lit survey in college. I was already a literature geek, and had read (or knew about) most of the authors in the Norton. I was shocked to discover: 1) how magnificent a poet Sidney was (one can make a case he’s better than Shakespeare), 2) how unknown he is (he barely received a handwave in the direction of “In Defence of Poesy” in class), and 3) how much even the English professors don’t care about his work. I think there are two main reasons for his neglect: 1) his work hasn’t developed general cultural relevance ( he’s an Elizabethan poet read only by Elizabethan scholars, while Shakespeare is not only performed but memed), and 2) his work is too technically difficult, both linguistically and metrically, i.e. it takes too much time in class for a teacher to make him accessible. For me, at least, he is well worth the time and effort, and I would recommend all of his work, not just the Arcadia. Sorry for the length of the post, and thank you for mentioning Gower, if only in passing.
Thanks for sharing all of these thoughts, particularly the rationale for why he has been neglected but shouldn’t be. Fantastic!
One of the podcasts I listen to on the Shakespeare authorship question (apokalupsis historia) is a big cheerleader for Sidney, which got me to read the Oxford major works. The selections from the Arcadia gave no clue of the scope of the work.
But the sonnets were beautiful.
You also didn't make any mention of the love he had for Penelope Rich - whom he mentioned as he lay dying in a heartbreaking section (appendix c, p.317).
Well now I have to read it.
I had heard of the Faerie Queen and Orlando Furioso, but this one was unknown to me.
Yet another one for “the never heard of it, now have to find it” list. I actually have a copy of the Romance of the Rose, not from a class either. Always interested in “forgotten greats.”
Good evening Steve... It's 1am here in UK 🐺
I enjoyed Arcadia by Iain Pears, a sci-fi which takes its name from this. That may have provoked some interest in the original.
The Dog loves you for putting him in the spotlight haha. Great intro man
Sir Andrew Aguecheek?
I heard something about a readalong? a Dr. who was it? Samuel Johnson? Hmm must not be happening if Dr. Donoghue didn't make a video.