ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Sidney’s A Defence of Poetry is, in part, a response to Stephen Gosson’s School of Abuse. Gosson was a Puritan, and his School of Abuse was a polemical pamphlet claiming that poets lead people astray and preach immorality.

Detailed explanation-2: -In his essay, Sidney integrates a number of classical and Italian precepts on fiction. The essence of his defense is that poetry, by combining the liveliness of history with the ethical focus of philosophy, is more effective than either history or philosophy in rousing its readers to virtue.

Detailed explanation-3: -To, Sidney, poetry is an art of imitation for specific purpose, it is imitated to teach and delight. According to him, poetry is simply a superior means of communication and its value depends on what is communicated. So, even history when it is described in a lively and passionate expression becomes poetic.

Detailed explanation-4: -Answer and Explanation: In the “Defense of Poesy, ” Sidney refers to those who hate poetry, or who are suspicious of its worth, as mysomousoi.

Detailed explanation-5: -In his day, a critic named Stephen Gosson attacked poetry in his The Schoole of Abuse. He denounced poetry on the following grounds: (i) He classed poets with pipers, jesters, and called them caterpillars of the commonwealth – all alike enemies of virtue.