34 pages • 1 hour read
The Defence of Poesy
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Key Figures
Sir Philip Sidney (1554-1586)
Sir Philip Sidney, the author of this treatise, does not distance his voice from the work. Rather, he inserts his own commentary and opinions throughout the essay, making himself a vivid presence behind the argument. Sidney was a member of the English aristocracy and was educated at Oxford. He served as a Member of Parliament multiple times in his life and acted as a diplomat under Queen Elizabeth I. Sidney travelled extensively around Europe thanks to this role, a fact that he mentions in the opening lines of The Defence of Poesy.
Sidney was a poet, known for writing Astrophel and Stella and The Countess of Pembroke’s Arcadia. The author also moved in educated circles, associating with poets, scientists, and other humanist thinkers of his time. A militant Protestant, Sidney was wounded in Spain while fighting the Spanish Catholics. The wound became gangrenous, and he died a few days later at the age of 31. It was said that the mortally-wounded Sidney offered his water to a fellow soldier, saying: “Thy necessity is yet greater than mine.” This story remains popular today and illustrates the virtue of manly courage that is so important in Sidney’s The Defence of Poesy.
Sidney’s Christian beliefs, his classical education, and his association with fellow humanists are all evident in this work, and understanding the author’s background illuminates the sources of his value system.
John Pietro Pugliano
The only person to receive more than passing mention in The Defence of Poesy is the Italian horseman John Pietro Pugliano, who appears in Sidney’s opening anecdote. Pugliano is “an esquire in [Emperor Maximilian II’s] stable” (17), and a passionate equestrian. Sidney relates how, during their conversation, Pugliano used “strong affection and weak arguments” (17) to argue that horsemanship is the noblest skill. Although Sidney shows no respect for Pugliano’s learning or his ability to speak persuasively, the author takes inspiration from Pugliano’s enthusiasm as he writes The Defence of Poesy. Pugliano receives little attention beyond this brief anecdote, yet he could be seen as a humorous allegory for Sidney himself, arguing passionately but perhaps inexpertly about his favorite topic.
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