Introduction
Sir Philip Sidney is renowned for his generous services in the field of literary criticism. As a critic, Sidney was fond of classic literature. But he was not a devotee to the contemporary literature around him. Dr. Johnson did not acknowledge the prosaic excellence of An Apology for Poetry. An Apology for Poetry is one of the sound books of criticism on poetry. Sidney's contribution as a critic is mainly remembered for his defence of poetry, his commentary on various forms of poetry and his being the first practical critic in the history of English Literature.
His Defence of Poetry
Sidney as a critic is best known for his sound defence of poetry against the charges levelled by Stephen Gosson. He condemned poetry for being a mother of lies, a nurse of abuse, a waste of time and Plato's right banishment of poets. Sidney came forward as a defender of poetry, claiming that poetry is not a waste of time, but a fruitful activity of noble learning; it is not a mother of lies but a source of truthfulness; it is not a nurse of abuse but is missed by the poets of that time and Plato was not an adversary to poetry rather he patronized poetry. Thus, his apt answering to the charges against poetry is one great contribution to criticism.
His Devotion to Poetry
Sidney was earnestly devoted to poetry to safeguard its reputation. He asserts that it is unfair to show disregard to poetry. Every form of poetry serves mankind. For instance, pastoral poetry can depict the plight of the people of the lower class under a tyrant ruler or vice versa. Comedy can make people learn to lothe evil and to adopt virtues into their lives. Elegiac poetry helps to arouse the feelings of pity by mourning the suffering of the whole mankind. Lyrical poetry fills a person with admiration of virtue and sometimes, singing the glory of the immortality of God. Thus, in showing the positive qualities of different forms of poetry, Sidney clearly shows his devotion to poetry.
Practical Criticism
One of the innovative contributions to criticism of Sidney is his use of practical criticism. Practical criticism is the evaluation of an already existing genius according to a specific set of criteria that is excellent. Throughout the writing of Sidney, both appreciation, as well as criticism, can be found in it. At first, he gives a critical or appreciative statement and then proves it through an already established work of literature. For instance, when he says that poetry can depict human passions in the best convincing way possible. Then he also states the example of Homer's epic that illustrates patriotism. Furthermore, when Sidney claims that the earliest form of writing was poetry, he gives references to the earliest Grecian writers like Homer or Hesiod who were poets. Conclusively, Sidney contributed his initial share in the initial development of practical criticism through proving statements through the work of art that existed already.
Limitations
Sidney's contribution to criticism is of considerable merit. But in some areas of his criticism and defence, traces of exaggeration and limitations can be found. For instance, in his defence, he claims that poetry is the only credible source of knowledge which is not true. Just like history can contain lies, so do poetry.
Also, when Sidney states the functions of different genres of poetry, he seems very limited in his approach. For instance, when Sidney asserts that pastoral poetry can only depict the happy or the miserable life of the rustic people, he neglects the importance of the appreciation of natural beauty. Similarly, when explaining the properties of a comedy, he disassociates the function of arousing laughter. His neglect of the passions of love in a lyrical poem is a significant shortcoming in his criticism. So, it is obvious that Sidney favours the classical approach.
Conclusion
Sidney's literary endeavours and his utter devotion to the noble cause of literature in general and poetry, in particular, puts him into the frontiers of the notable critics in the history of English Literature.
