In this examination of Sir Philip Sidney, author of the famous romance, The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia , and his family, Elizabeth Mazzola argues that families are a form of poetic projects. The Sidney family, and members of the so-called 'Sidney circle' aimed to celebrate Sir Philip's life through literary tradition - they repeatedly turned to writing their own poetry as a vehicle to analyze or extend familial connections. Mazzola illustrates that Sidney's family, by celebrating the work of their brilliant loved one, actually demonstrated the unique attributes and transformation of the family in the early modern period.

Autorentext

ELIZABETH MAZZOLA is Associate Professor in the Department of English at the City College of New York, USA

Inhalt

Acknowledgments Introduction 'A nobility never interrupted' PART ONE: DOMESTIC ARANGEMENTS AND HOUSEHOLD PRIVILEGES 'Natural' Boys and 'Hard' Stepmothers Brothers' Keepers and Philip's Siblings Compromising Positions and Rival Romances The Grammar of Families in Sidney's Old Arcadi 'More like Runne-awaies, then Princes' Epilogue: 'Curious Networks' and Lost Sons Bibliography