The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia
The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia
Fiction | Novel/Book in Verse | Adult | Published in 1590
Book Brief
The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia
Fiction | Novel/Book in Verse | Adult | Published in 1590
Super Short Summary
The Countess of Pembroke’s Arcadia follows Duke Basilius as he retreats to the countryside with his family after receiving a troubling prophecy from the Oracle of Delphos. Chaos ensues as Pyrocles and Musidorus disguise themselves to pursue romantic interests in Basilius's daughters, Philoclea and Pamela. Intrigue, mistaken identities, and romantic entanglements lead to a climactic resolution where order is restored. The book contains instances of attempted sexual assault.
Fantastical
Romantic
Adventurous
Mysterious
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Philip Sidney's The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia receives praise for its rich prose, complex narrative, and blend of romance, pastoral elements, and political intrigue. Some critics, however, find the plot convoluted and the language archaic, posing challenges for contemporary readers. Nonetheless, its literary value and historical significance remain highly regarded.
Who Should Read The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia?
A reader who enjoys The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia by Philip Sidney is likely interested in Elizabethan prose, intricate pastoral romances, and classical literature. Comparable to fans of Edmund Spenser's The Faerie Queene or Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur, this reader appreciates elaborate narratives and Renaissance ideals.
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