00022— On what grounds does Sidney disapprove of tragi-comedy?

Sidney disapproves of tragi-comedy (also tragicomedy) in the strongest possible words.  A tragicomedy presents the greatest violation of the Unity of Action in a play.  A tragicomedy is neither a pure tragedy nor a pure comedy but a mongrel breed of the two.  Therefore neither the admiration nor commiseration nor right spitefulness is produced by a tragicomedy.  In the right spirit a comedy should be full of delight, and a tragedy should produce pity, fear and admiration.  A tragicomedy produces neither pure delight nor pure compassion or admiration.  A comic scene in the midst of tragic scenes, or a tragic scene in the midst of comic scenes is not fit for ‘chaste ears’.  In conclusion Sidney says, “The whole tract of a comedy should be full of delight, as the tragedy should be still maintained in a well raised admiration.”  The tragicomedy fails in both.

However, Sidney’s observations on tragicomedy are based on the plays which were available to him in his time.  Shakespeare’s plays had not yet been written.  We know that Shakespear’s  tragicomedies are artistically developed and and highly successful plays.  Had Sidney seen Shakespear’s plays, he would have revised his views on tragicomedies.

00019--How does Sidney defend various kinds or forms or species of poetry?

Sidney defends various kinds or forms or species of poetry.  The various popular forms of poetry are the Pastoral, Elegy, Satire, Comedy, Tragedy, Lyric and Epic.  Sidney defends each type on its own merit. 

He admires the Pastorals because they bring into light the miseries of the poorest section of society—the shepherds, peasants, cottagers and the like living with their flocks of sheep and goats.  The Pastorals show the generosity of the poet’s heart. 

The Elegy expresses human compassion accompanied with the causes of lamentation.  The Elegies exhibit  tender human feelings

The Satire humourously exposes human follies and vanities without hurting anybody’s personal feelings.  The satirist functions  as a reformer. 

The Comedy is an imitation of the common errors of our lives, so that no spectator will dare act that way or do such a folly.  Nothing can more open our eyes than to find our own actions so contemptibly exhibited. 

Tragedies make the kings and tyrrants realize their tyrannies and thier outcome.  Sidney says, “with stirring the effects of admiration and commiseration, Tragedy teacheth uncertainty of this world, and upon how weak foundations golden roofs are builded.”

The Lyric praises virtue in sweet tunes and pleasantly gives moral precepts.

And finally, the Epic unrolls before us the heroic exploits and victories of our great ancestors and fills us with pride.

00018-- How does Sidney establish the superiority of poetry over all other branches of learning?

                                   Sidney      

Sidney says that poetry is the most ancient source of learning and wisdom.  It is "the first light giver to ignorance, and first nurse, whose milk by little and little enabled them to feed afterwards of tougher knowledge."   Poetry is the better and nobler source of wisdom than even history and philosophy which are believed to be the richest source of knowledge and wisdom.  Even philosophy was first taught in verse.   Wise Solomon was directly a poet. Plato's 'DIALOGUES' are in spirit poetical because they are imaginative and emotional.   The Bible itself is written in poetical prose and its sayings are called 'verses'.   Sidney says, "And even Historiographers, although their lips sound of things done,... have been glad to borrow both fashion and perchance weight of poets."

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