Literature and Virtue in Sidneys Apology for Poetry Essay -- Apology

Literature and Virtue in Sidneys apology for Poetry In An Apology for Poetry Sir Philip Sidney attempts to reassert the fundamental importance of literature to society in general as well as to other creative and bright endeavors. Though Sidneys work does interpret a synthesis (and in around cases an aberration) of much Greek and Roman literary theory, his argument aspires to go beyond an esoteric academic debate. Literature can teach and delight in a manner which other methods of communication do not accept (138). The moral/ethical impact any literary text has upon a reader is of paramount importance to Sidney. The argument Sidney presents and develops is built around the effrontery that literature has the capacity to teach most effectively and to demonstrate virtue. mayhap in better understanding how Sidney specific both(prenominal)y supports this claim, we can better judge its strength or validity. Sidney places literature in an hierarchical relationship with all other forms of learning literature inhabits the highest and most influential tier. Literature is the depression light-giver to ignorance, and from it all other sources of knowledge have been nurtured (135). As the first accustom of language beyond the completely utilitarian, literature stretches and expands language to accommodate broader and more than conceptual inquiries. Though an ardent admirer of Platonic philosophy, Sydney, in shape to serve his intellectual exercise, rewrites or rehabilitates Platos harsh stance on the ineptness of literature. Unlike Platos poet who perpetuates images far removed from the Truth, Sidneys poet can dip into the world of Forms, the Ideal, and provide us with knowledge of virtue. While the tangible world of... ...ry (150). Sidneys responses have go away the mainstay of the supporters of a liberal arts education. Unfortunately, literature has become declare to the extent that knowledge of literature has become practically synonymous with utte r(a) action. Such modern interpretations of Sidneys defense of literature seem to strike against the in truth heart of his argument. Sidney seems to understand all too well that human beings hearth both virtuous and vicious impulses it is within our power to infuse our creations with both the sinister and the sublime. Because this is true of any human invention, Sidney counsels that the potential of literature for genuine or ill should not be easily discounted or dismissed. full treatment Cited Sidney, Philip. An Apology for Poetry The Critical Tradition. Ed., David H. Richter, New York St. Martins Press, 1989.