Astrophel and Stella

1161 Words5 Pages
Astrophel and Stella Biography: Sir Philip Sidney (30 November 1554 – 17 October 1586) became one of the Elizabethan Age's most prominent figures. Famous in his day in England as a poet, courtier and soldier, he remains to be known as the author of Astrophel and Stella. His Works: The Lady of May Astrophel and Stella The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia An Apology for Poetry Introduction: Astrophel and Stella is an English sonnet sequence written by Sir Philip Sidney which containing 108 sonnets and 11 songs, is the first in a long line of Elizabethan sonnet cycles*. Astrophel and Stella was probably composed in the early 1580s. The sonnets were well-circulated in manuscript before the first edition was printed in 1591, five years after Sidney's death. It details the frustrated love of Astrophel for his beloved Stella. It is likely that Sidney based his poems on his own unrequited passion for a married woman. The sequence inspired other sonnet writers of the period such as William Shakespeare. Astrophel and Stella Summary: Love from one side, this the story is about. Astrophel the protagonist and narrator, is man who falls in love with the beautiful Stella, a woman who is virtuous, intelligent and his idealized partner in life. Most of the sonnets consist of Astrophel as the speaker and Stella as the recipient of his speeches. Because Astrophel is the "author" of the sonnet sequence, we can perceive his inner thoughts and emotions but not much of Stella's. Stella's thoughts and personality are revealed only through her actions and occasional speeches to Astrophel. The sonnet sequence would be very different if Sidney had provided a more obvious indication of Stella's feelings. Although she initially does not return his affection, Stella tries to be kind to Astrophel, or at least, Astrophel believes that she is trying to be kind to him.

More about Astrophel and Stella

Open Document