A Defence of Poesie and Poems
A Defence of Poesie, written by Sir Philip Sidney around 1580 and printed in 1595, nine years after his death, is the first major work of literary criticism in English. Answering a Puritan attack on the stage, Sidney argues that poetry is older than philosophy and history, that it teaches by delighting, that the poet's golden world improves on nature's brazen one, and that the charges of lying and corrupting are misplaced; he then surveys English verse and drama severely. This Cassell's National Library volume of 1891, with Henry Morley's introduction, adds a selection of Sidney's shorter poems, including the two pastorals, the Dispraise of a Courtly Life, his exchange of sonnets with Edward Dyer and several songs. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
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Frequently asked questions about A Defence of Poesie and Poems
A Defence of Poesie and Poems by Philip Sidney can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
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Yes. A Defence of Poesie and Poems opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is A Defence of Poesie and Poems free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of A Defence of Poesie and Poems is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is A Defence of Poesie and Poems in the public domain?
Yes. A Defence of Poesie and Poems by Philip Sidney is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read A Defence of Poesie and Poems?
About 2 h 07 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is A Defence of Poesie and Poems?
A Defence of Poesie and Poems by Philip Sidney is filed under "Poetry" in the Vinteuil library.
