An Apology for Poetry Quotations
Quote 1: Origin of Poetry: “It cometh of this word Poiein, which is to make wherein I know not whether by luck or wisdom, we English men have met with the Greeks in calling him 'a maker'.”Explanation: Sidney explains that the word ‘poet’ comes from the Greek ‘Poiein,’ meaning ‘to make.’ Poets are creators, like God. They create something new and meaningful.
Quote 2: Value of Meaning over Rhyming: “It is not rhyming and versing that maketh a poet. One may be a poet without versifying or a versifier without poetry.”Explanation: Sidney says rhyme alone does not make poetry. A poem must carry deep meaning. A true poet creates to teach and delight, not just to rhyme.
Quote 3: Limitation of Contemporary Drama: “Delight hath a joy in it, either permanent or present. Laughter hath only a scornful teaching.”Explanation: Sidney compares delight with laughter. Delight gives true joy, but laughter often mocks. He criticizes comedies that only aim to make fun.
Quote 4: Poetry over Philosophy: “For conclusion, I say the philosopher teaches, but he teaches obscurely, so as the learned only can understand him, that is to say, he teaches that are already taught.”Explanation: Sidney says philosophers teach in a complex way. Only educated people understand them. But poetry teaches everyone, clearly and beautifully.
Quote 5: Words of Poetry Haters: “…while you live, you live in love but never get favour for lacking skill of a sonnet and when you die, your memory die from the earth for want of an epitaph.”Explanation: Sidney mocks those who hate poetry. He says they cannot win love or be remembered after death. Poetry gives lasting fame and love.
Quote 6: Poor Condition of Poetry: “I have just cause to make a pitiful defence of poor poetry which from almost the highest estimation of learning is fallen to be the laughing-stock of children.”Explanation: Sidney says poetry was once highly respected. But now it is laughed at by even children. He defends it with sorrow and hope.
Quote 7: Definition of Poetry: “Poetry, therefore, is an art of imitation, for so Aristotle termeth it in his word Mimesis.”Explanation: Sidney defines poetry using Aristotle’s idea. Poetry is imitation, not simple copying. It shows life in a way that teaches and delights.
Quote 8: Perfect Imitation: “That imitation whereof poetry is, has the most conveniency to nature of all other;”Explanation: Sidney says poetry imitates nature better than anything else. It shows truth in a beautiful way. This is why poetry feels so real.
Quote 9: Ideal Tragedy: “The ideal tragedy is an imitation of the noble action in the representation of which it stirs, admiration and commiseration.”Explanation: Sidney explains what a perfect tragedy should do. It copies great actions that move us deeply. It teaches by making us feel.
Quote 10: Poets as Cultural Leaders: “So among the Romans were Livius Andronicus, and Ennius. So in the Italian language, the first that made it aspire to be a treasure-house of science were the poets Dante, Boccace, and Petrarch. So in our English were Gower and Chaucer.”Explanation: Sidney says poets helped build great languages. In Rome, Italy, and England, poets led the way. They made language powerful and meaningful.