The Romantics Part 2

Question 1

About Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822)

Answer 1

1) Shelley’s Defence of Poetry deals with theory (a
philosophical treatise on poetry, as opposed to
the judgement of individual authors)
2) As its name suggests, Shelley’s Defence of Poetry
is akin to Sir Philip Sidney’s Defence of Poetry (or
Apology for Poetry)
3) Just as Sidney wrote his Defence as a
counterargument to an attack on poetry by
Stephen Gosson, Shelley’s Defence is a response
to an attack by Thomas Love Peacock
4) Shelley’s scope is slightly larger than Sidney’s,
for the former defends all creative activity (of
which poetry is chief)

Question 2

What are the Four Ages ?

Answer 2

1) Iron age: the beginnings of poetry (preantiquity)
2) Golden age: the height of poetry (antiquity)
3) Silver age: copying golden age
(neoclassical)
4) Brass age: decay of poetry (the present
Romantic poetry)

Question 3

3 parts of Shelley’s Defence ?

Answer 3

1. First: Definition and nature of
   poetry
2. Second: Moral/utilitarian function
   of poetry
3. Third: Defence against detractors
4. Fourth (only Shelley): summary +
   impassioned eulogy for poetry

Question 4

Gosson and Peacock ? (Stephen Gosson & Thomas Love Peacock)

Answer 4

1) Gosson’s attack in School of Abuse is primarily
based on morality: poetry is immoral (see
chapter on the Renaissance)
2) Peacock’s attack in Four Ages of Poetry is
based on utility: poetry is useless
3) Peacock’s attack on poetry seems slightly
peculiar:
➢ He was a close friend of Shelley, and a minor
poet himself (although he is remembered as a
comedian/satirist)
➢ Is described as an ‘idler’; surely a Romantic
mode of being