Plain Meaning of Sidney’s Definition of Poetry
Sir Phillip Sidney, English poet laureate, penned a well-known definition of poetry in his work, The Defense of Poesyan, published in 1595. Here, he explicitly defines poetry as “an arte of imitating the nature”. He goes on to say: “whereby, out of many natures, it maketh one new nature, which is, as it were, a new species”.
At first glance, Sidney’s definition of poetry appears to be quite straightforward. It is clear that he believes poetry involves imitation of nature. As poet Robert Pinsky summarizes: “Sidney’s definition recognizes that the work of poetry involves the recreation of natural forms—real events and images—into something he calls ‘a new species’”. Sidney’s definition validates the art of creating of poetry as a practice in imitation that can have transformative effects.
A Closer Look at Sidney’s Definition of Poetry
The closer we look at Sidney’s interpretation, the more we come to understand the nature of his use of language. He speaks of an “arte” or art, of imitating nature, thereby suggesting that part of this process is to transform the raw materials of natural phenomenon into imaginary creations. As Victorian literary critic, Matthew Arnold suggests in his book Literature and Dogma, Sidney’s definition implies that the poet combines imagination with observation, allowing “the combination of observation and imagination to ‘make one new nature’”.
It is intriguing to go back to what exactly Sidney meant by his concept of “making one new nature”. The notion of constructing something that is “as it were” a new reality carries with it a certain power and reflects a validation of the poet’s potential to take something from the natural world and bring it to life in new and unexpected ways.
Interpretation of Sidney’s Definition of Poetry
It appears that there are a range of interpretations that one can draw from Sidney’s definition of poetry. For instance, poet Abdurraqib, in his book A Fortune for Your Disaster, suggests that poetry is “carving, crafting, and–ultimately–transformation of someone’s reality”. By suggesting that poetry involves a carpenter-like transformation of nature, he seeks to communicate the sense that by using the tools of language, we are able to craft a new reality out of the materials of our own life experience and the everyday observations of the world around us.
This interpretation of Sidney’s concept of “making one new nature” is further strengthened when we consider the words poet Forrest Gander uses to describe the transformative power of poetry. She suggest that the poet has the capability to “weave description as a way of seeing someone into the flesh and bone of language”.
This eloquently communicates the poet’s capacity to use language to bring people, objects and emotions to life in new and unexpected ways.
Analysis of Sidney’s Definition of Poetry
It is evident, then, that Sidney’s definition of poetry involves an intricately complex process. He implies that it involves not just observation, but also creative construction. Thisview is shared by many other poets, such as William Wordsworth and Percy Bysshe Shelley, who believed that poetry was essential because it allowed humankind to explore the relationship between nature and mankind. More recently, renowned poet, Billy Collins has commented on the role of the poem as “a kind of stage”, adding that “the poem makes these characters real and present”.
In a startling suggestion of the power of poetry, Collins goes on to say that: “By inhabiting these images, by entering and exiting them one by one, we can inhabit the narrative and make it part of our experience, part of our lives”. Here Collins communicates a potential power of poetry, which is to bring multiple characters and settings to life in a way that can challenge our own preconceived understandings of the world and heighten our awareness of our own lives.
Sidney’s Influence on Modern Poetics
It is fascinating to observe that many of the ideas of Sidney have echoed throughout time. His definition of poetry has been referenced and referred back to by modern poets, who continue to be influenced by his insights. It is clear that there is much to be gained from exploring Sidney’s original definition and its continuing impact on modern poetic techniques.
One of the main ways in which Sidney’s definition of poetry has impacted modern writers is in the concept of “reimagining” or “transforming” nature. This idea can be seen in contemporary poetry such as Columbia-based poet Shira Erlichman’s work, which is often concerned with expressing how “natural settings can be collapsed, re-imagined, and brought to life”. Through her poetry, Erlichman explores the idea of how the everyday natural world can be transformed into something that is greater than itself.
Impact of Sidney’s Definition
The implications of Sidney’s definition of poetry are far reaching, especially when we consider the impact that it has had on writers throughout time. It appears that it has been a source of inspiration for many poets, who have sought to challenge, reinterpret, and reimagine the images and ideas presented in Sidney’s definition. This has in turn had a profound effect on modern poetics and the way in which poets are now exploring the transformative effects of poetry.
Innovative Applications of Sidney’s Definition
Even in the digital age, Sidney’s definition of poetry can be seen as a starting point for contemporary poets. For instance, technology writer Sanjana Gupta has used audio-visual applications of Sidney’s definition to explore new connections between art and technology. These modern applications display the capacity of poetry to go beyond mere imitation of nature and introduce new forms of creative expression in a rapidly changing digital world.
Relevance of Sidney’s Definition
At its core, Sidney’s definition of poetry is rooted in the belief that the imaginative recreation of nature has the power to transform and give new insight into life itself. This idea has continued to be a source of inspiration to modern poets, and has served as the basis for exploration of a range of different themes and concepts. The relevance of Sidney’s definition of poetry is thus easy to note, and its enduring impact difficult to deny.
