Sir Philip Sidneys Astrophil and Stella Essay -- Astrophil Stella Ess

Sir Philip Sidneys Astrophil and StellaThe literary fortunes of Sir Philip Sidney illustrate nicely the contrast surrounded by the Elizabethan and twentieth century views on imitation and originality in literature. Sidneys rate of 108 sonnets entitled Astrophil and Stella which appeared at the end of the sixteenth century drew prompt praise from English readers who appreciated his blend of wit and sensibility, of intellectual ace and temperamental ardour (Lever 53) they liked especially the directness and spontaneity (53) of the poems. Sidney himself contributed to his composition for sincerity with the immortal lines of first sonnet Biting my truant pen, whipping my self for spite, / Fool, said my Muse to me, look in thy heart and write. Teachers echo this good advice endlessly. I tell my College Writing students to use personal obtain star can hardly go wrong with early puerility memories because the material is pure--not yet contaminated with the clichs of what we are sup posed to opine and feel. Astrophil and Stella inspired literally thousands of sonnets and Sidneys admirers thought that he was greater than Spenser or Shakespeare. The appraisal that Sidney, himself happily married to Frances Walsingham, could be passionately in love with genus Penelope Rich and jealous of her husband bothered Victorian critics. How can one justify Astrophils pursuit of adultery? Various excuses were made for Sidney Elizabethan ethical motive tended to be lax, it was Astrophil and not Sidney who was at fault, the marriage of the Riches was not what it should consume been, etc. exactly the story of a passionate Astrophil who pursues the chaste Stella bewildered much of its appeal for another reason with the advent of historical critici... ... to the highest degree insightful and intelligent persons succumb to rationalization--in effect allowing reason to switch camps. Or in Sonnet 71 we see how beauty and Virtue naturally live together in Stella Virtue bends . . . love to good. But then, again, all is lost in the last line as the public figure triumphs over the spirit But, ah, Desire still cries, give me some food. The chronological succession never does reconcile reason and desire it reminds me of the battle Paul describes in Romans 7. The last sonnet depicts Astrophils psychological disarray, for he is unable to separate ruin from ecstasy. Stellas influence upon him prevails so That in my woes for thee thou art my joy, / And in my joys for thee my plainly annoy. Works CitedLever, J.W. The Elizabethan Love Sonnet. London Methuen, 1956.Nichols, J.G. The Poetry of Sir Philip Sidney. England Barnes & Noble, 1974