Sir Philip Sidney, born in 1554, was an English poet, literary critic, essayist, and government official and he is alluded to at least once in Ray Bradbury’s dystopian novel Fahrenheit 451. He was mainly known for writing genres such as poetry, fiction, and criticism. This is primarily done by his works being quoted by various characters throughout the book.
Firstly, Captain Beatty quotes one of Sidney’s words to Montag when he says, “‘Sweet food of sweetly uttered knowledge, Sir Philip Sidney said’” (Bradbury 102). This allusion means that knowledge can be a very powerful thing, as Sidney describes it metaphorically by comparing it to food and its powerful taste. This allusion originated from Sidney’s critical essay Apology for Poetry, which was published in Renaissance England in 1595, the golden age of art and literature that lasted from 1485-1603. Sir Philip Sidney is important as a whole because he wrote the first critical essay in Renaissance England. This allusion was best known for being published after Stephen Gooson wrote School of Abuse, which was an attack on a theater that had been dedicated to Sidney without him knowing or approving of it. Also, according to The Encyclopedia of World …show more content…
The plot becomes more meaningful when this allusion is included by hinting the reader that Beatty is aware of Montag storing illegal books away in his home. The allusion emphasizes the theme of Ignorance versus Knowledge because Sidney describes knowledge as being powerful and Beatty says this quote in order to support his point of view on ignorance. Overall, Sir Phillip Sidney has been alluded to in the context of Fahrenheit 451 to demonstrate the power of
Firstly, Captain Beatty quotes one of Sidney’s words to Montag when he says, “‘Sweet food of sweetly uttered knowledge, Sir Philip Sidney said’” (Bradbury 102). This allusion means that knowledge can be a very powerful thing, as Sidney describes it metaphorically by comparing it to food and its powerful taste. This allusion originated from Sidney’s critical essay Apology for Poetry, which was published in Renaissance England in 1595, the golden age of art and literature that lasted from 1485-1603. Sir Philip Sidney is important as a whole because he wrote the first critical essay in Renaissance England. This allusion was best known for being published after Stephen Gooson wrote School of Abuse, which was an attack on a theater that had been dedicated to Sidney without him knowing or approving of it. Also, according to The Encyclopedia of World …show more content…
The plot becomes more meaningful when this allusion is included by hinting the reader that Beatty is aware of Montag storing illegal books away in his home. The allusion emphasizes the theme of Ignorance versus Knowledge because Sidney describes knowledge as being powerful and Beatty says this quote in order to support his point of view on ignorance. Overall, Sir Phillip Sidney has been alluded to in the context of Fahrenheit 451 to demonstrate the power of