The Unity of Sidney's Apology for Poetry

Sidney’s Eurocentric Polemic: A Postcolonial Exegesis of “An Apology for Poetry“

“…He concludes that the article exhibits and possesses a unity that transcends any such fundamental contradictions which have been underscored by Hardison (1972). Hence, Raitiere's (1981) reading of Sidney seems to be a rebuttal to Hardison's (1972) views on his "Apology." Sidney's reviewer, Moore discusses the treatise from the standpoint of Sidney's conclusive belief, i.e., "man is fallen man" (p. 322).…”

“…Levao (1979) is of the view that as a "literary craftsman", Sidney constructed a literary artifact in a style that had the power to persuade readers of its verisimilitude (p. 231). Likewise, Raitiere, (1981) considers the treatise as one of the great pieces of writings in the Elizabethan era because of its fluent prose-style. He refutes Hardison's (1972) allegation that Sidney's treatise lacks proper criterion necessary for "oration" because of its discursivity (p. 37).…”

“…Due to abrupt shifts in its writing-style, according to Hardison (1972), the treatise lacks harmonious composition. Raitiere (1981) takes up the issue and presents a justification for Sidney's discourse. He concludes that the article exhibits and possesses a unity that transcends any such fundamental contradictions which have been underscored by Hardison (1972).…”