Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Sestina" is a poem by Philip Sidney, a prominent Elizabethan poet, courtier, and soldier who lived from 1554 to 1586. Sidney is best known for his literary achievements, including his influential prose work, "The Defense of Poesy," and his pastoral romance, "Arcadia." "Sestina" is a section of "Arcadia," written in prose form but containing poetic elements.

Context:

"Arcadia" was written in the late 1570s or early 1580s, during the Elizabethan era, a time of great cultural, political, and social change in England. The Elizabethan era was marked by a flowering of English literature and drama, including the works of Shakespeare, Marlowe, and Jonson, as well as the development of the pastoral romance genre, which idealized rural life and romantic love. "Sestina" is a section of "Arcadia" in which the character Musidorus, disguised as the Amazon Cleophila, engages in a poetic contest with the shepherdess Pamela.

Content:

"Sestina" is a poem in the form of a sestina, a type of poem consisting of six stanzas of six lines each, followed by a final three-line stanza called an envoy. The poem features a series of interlocking rhymes, with the end words of each line of the first stanza repeated in a specific pattern throughout the poem. The poem is a poetic contest between Musidorus and Pamela, with each participant contributing three stanzas to the sestina. The poem explores themes of love, nature, and poetic skill.

Form:

"Sestina" is written in the form of a sestina, a poetic form that requires precise repetition of end-words throughout the poem. Each of the six stanzas consists of six lines, with the end-words of the first stanza repeated in a specific pattern throughout the poem. The poem ends with an envoy of three lines that incorporates all six of the end-words.

Poetic Elements:

As a sestina, "Sestina" makes use of the repetitive end-words to create a sense of unity and continuity throughout the poem. The poem also makes use of poetic language and imagery to convey the themes of love and nature. The use of dialogue between Musidorus and Pamela adds a sense of drama and competition to the poem, while the poetic contest itself serves as a demonstration of the skill and artistry of the two characters.

Summary:

"Sestina" is a notable example of the sestina form and a significant section of "Arcadia." The poem's use of repetitive end-words creates a sense of unity and continuity, while the use of poetic language and imagery adds to the poem's aesthetic and emotional impact. The incorporation of a poetic contest between the characters Musidorus and Pamela adds a sense of drama and competition to the poem, while also demonstrating Sidney's skill as a writer. Overall, "Sestina" is a noteworthy example of Elizabethan poetry and a testament to Sidney's literary talent.

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