Courtier, poet, soldier, diplomat - Philip Sidney was one of the most promising young men of his age. Son of Elizabeth I's deputy in Ireland, nephew and heir to her favourite, Leicester, he was tipped for high office - and even to inherit the throne. But Sidney soon found himself caught up in the intricate politics of Elizabeth's court and forced to become as Machiavellian as everyone around him if he was to achieve his ambitions. Against a backdrop of Elizabethan intrigue and the battle b...

The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia by Philip Sidney is a landmark work of English Renaissance literature, blending romance, pastoral fantasy, political intrigue, and moral reflection into a richly layered narrative. Originally composed in the late 16th century, this expansive prose romance is celebrated for its elegant style, imaginative storytelling, and enduring influence on English literature. Set in the idyllic and mythical land of Arcadia, the story follows the noble prince Pyrocles a...

Basilus, a foolish old duke, consults an oracle as he imperiously wishes to know the future, but he is less than pleased with what he learns. To escape the oracle's horrific prophecies about his family and kingdom he withdraws into pastoral retreat with his wife and two daughters. When a pair of wandering princes fall in love with the princesses and adopt disguises to gain access to them, all manner of complications, both comic and serious, ensue. Part-pastoral romance, part-heroic epic, S...

In "The Defence of Poesy," Philip Sidney eloquently articulates the role of poetry in society, positioning it as both a moral and artistic endeavor. Written in the late 16th century, amidst the flourishing of the English Renaissance, Sidney adopts a sophisticated blend of prose and verse to advocate for poetry's capacity to inspire virtue and foster emotional truths. The text engages with classical and contemporary philosophical thought, countering prevailing criticisms against poets with ...

"The Defence of Poesy" by Philip Sidney. Published by e-artnow. e-artnow publishes a wide range of titles that encompasses every genre. From well-known classics & literary fiction and non-fiction to forgotten−or yet undiscovered gems−of world literature, we issue the books that need to be read. Each e-artnow edition has been meticulously edited and formatted to boost readability for all e-readers and devices. Our goal is to produce eBooks that are user-friendly and accessible to everyone i...

The Complete Works of Philip SidneySir Philip Sidney was an English poet, courtier, scholar and soldier who is remembered as one of the most prominent figures of the Elizabethan age. His works include Astrophel and Stella, The Defence of Poesy and The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia.This collection includes the following:Astrophel and StellaThe Countesse of Pembroke's ArcadiaA Defence of PoesiePoems

In "A Defence of Poesie and Poems," Philip Sidney masterfully articulates the inherent value and significance of poetry as an art form. Written in the late 16th century, this seminal work blends prose and verse to argue for poetry's capacity to inspire virtue and moral integrity, positioning it as a crucial vehicle for both artistic expression and societal reform. Sidney's eloquent style, marked by rich imagery and eloquent rhetoric, reflects the Northern Renaissance's ideals while address...

In "A Defence of Poesie and Poems," Philip Sidney articulates a compelling argument for the significance of poetry in society, positioning it as a supreme form of human expression. Written in a classical style infused with the fervor of the Renaissance, Sidney defends poetry against its detractors by emphasizing its moral and ethical purposes. The text intricately weaves personal anecdotes with rich literary analysis, blending elements of rhetorical flourish and philosophical inquiry, ulti...

Philip Sidney was born at Penshurst, in Kent, on the 29th o

Probably composed in the 1580s, Philip Sidney's Astrophil and Stella is an English sonnet sequence containing 108 sonnets and 11 songs. The name derives from the two Greek words, 'aster' (star) and 'phil' (lover), and the Latin word 'stella' meaning star. Thus Astrophil is the star lover, and Stella is his star. Sidney partly nativized the key features of his Italian model Petrarch, including an ongoing but partly obscure narrative, the philosophical trappings of the poet in relation to lo...

Astrophil and Stella is a sonnet sequence written by Philip Sidney, an Elizabethan poet and courtier. It details the frustrated love of Astrophil for his beloved Stella . It is likely that Sidney based his poems on his own unrequited passion for a married woman. The sequence inspired other sonnet writers of the period, such as Edmund Spenser, William Shakespeare, and Lady Mary Wroth.

In the verdant realm of Arcadia, where nymphs dance and shepherds sing, a tale of unrequited love unfolds. Double Sestina - Ye Goatherd Gods, a masterpiece by Sir Philip Sidney, weaves a tapestry of longing and despair. As the goatherd Strephon pines for the unattainable Urania, his heartstrings are plucked with each verse. The sestina form, with its intricate pattern of repeating words, echoes the relentless torment of his unfulfilled desire. Through Sidney's lyrical prose, we witness the...