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 between 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 immediate praise from English readers who appreciated his blend of wit and sensibility, of intellectual brilliance and moody ardour (Lever 53) they liked especially the directness and spontaneity (53) of the poems. Sidney himself contributed to his reputation for sincerity with the immortal lines of first sonnet Biting my truant pen, beating my self for spite, / Fool, tell my Muse to me, look in thy heart and write. Teachers repeat this good advice endlessly. I tell my College Writing students to use personal experience one can hardly go wrong with early childhood memories because the material is pure-- non yet contaminated with the clichs of what we are supposed to believe and feel. Astrophil and Stella inspired literally thousands of sonnets and Sidneys admirers thought that he was greater than Spenser or Shakespeare. The idea that Sidney, himself happily married to Frances Walsingham, could be passionately in love with Penelope Rich and jealous of her husband bothered puritanical critics. How can one justify Astrophils pursuit of adultery? Various excuses were made for Sidney Elizabethan morals tended to be lax, it was Astrophil and not Sidney who was at fault, the marriage of the Riches was not what it should have been, etc. But the story of a passionate Astrophil who pursues the chaste Stella lost much of its appeal for another reason with the advent of historical critici... ... some 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 break together in Stella Virtue bends . . . love to good. But then, again, all is lost in th e last line as the flesh triumphs over the life sentence But, ah, Desire still cries, give me some food. The sequence 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 misery 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 only annoy. Works CitedLever, J.W. The Elizabethan Love Sonnet. capital of the United Kingdom Methuen, 1956.Nichols, J.G. The Poetry of Sir Philip Sidney. England Barnes & Noble, 1974