Questions and Answers on the poem Loving in Truth
Table of Contents
Long Answer Type Questions
1. Write down the critical appreciation of Sidney’s poem “Loving in Truth”.
The opening sonnet of Sidney’s “Astrophel and Stella” explores the poet’s deep emotional and romantic feelings. This sonnet, like others in the series, vividly portrays the intense passion of love. Sidney wrote these sonnets for Lady Penelope Devereux, making them a declaration of his literary goals and a guide for writing genuine love poetry. Sir Philip Sidney, in his “The Defence of Poetry”, said that he didn’t originally plan to be a poet, but he couldn’t resist expressing his feelings through poetry.
According to F.T. Palgrave, this series offers the most intense depiction of love in poetry, while William A. Ringler Jr. notes that it both praises Stella and teaches how to write love poetry. The title, part of the first line, emphasizes sincerity in love. Sidney wants his beloved to see how deeply he loves her through his poems, believing that only sincere love can inspire true poetry.
In the sonnet, Astrophel (the speaker) wants to express his love for Stella (his beloved) through poetry, hoping to win her affection. The first quatrain reveals his inner struggles and hopes that she will find joy in his poetic efforts. He believes that if she reads his poems, she will understand his deep love, which might make her feel pity and kindness towards him. The second quatrain shows his efforts to convey his love agony by drawing inspiration from past poets. For the last part he comes to know from his Muse, about the originality.
Sidney’s sonnet captures the drama of a lover’s soul, filled with conflicts, doubts, and distress, and aims to evoke empathy and understanding from his beloved through the power of sincere poetry. When Sir Philip Sidney, a Neo-classicist, talked about “decorum,” he meant following the rules of literary correctness. It’s like learning from famous writers and using their ideas to create entertaining and clever works.
“I sought fit words to paint the blackest face of woe,
Studying inventions fine” to entertain her wits.
In the sonnet, Astrophel tries to express his sadness and love for Stella. He looks at other poets’ works to find the right words but fails to capture his feelings. He wants Stella to enjoy reading his poems and hopes this will inspire him. However, he realizes that copying others doesn’t work for him. He needs to find his own way of writing.
Astrophel finds some words, but they don’t feel right because they lack originality. He understands that true creativity, which he calls “Nature’s child,” comes from within and not from imitating others. He decides not to follow the same path as other poets or use their styles. He wants to be original in both what he writes about and how he writes it.
Feeling frustrated, Astrophel bites his pen and hits his head, desperate for inspiration. His Muse (a symbol of creative inspiration) then tells him to “look in thy heart and write.” This advice means that true inspiration comes from genuine feelings and emotions, not from imitating others. The Muse’s words help Astrophel realize that he should write from his heart, and this revelation allows him to truly capture Stella’s image in his poetry.
“Biting my truant pen, beating myself for spite
‘Fool’, said my Muse to me, ‘look in thy heart and write.”
The sonnet contrasts two Renaissance theories of poetry: invention (creating something new) and imitation (copying others). Astrophel learns that invention is more valuable than imitation and that sincerity comes from spontaneous expression. He realizes that writing should start with an idea (invention) and then find the right words (expression), not the other way around.
Sidney in this poem uses some literary terms like personification in the line “Invention, Nature’s child, fled step-dame Study’s blows”. Here the poet compares invention with nature’s child. Using this word “Sunburnt” the poet’s head is compared with dried up and barren soil or field. Here he uses metaphor. The invocation of the Muse, a common feature in classical poetry, is an allusion to the ancient Greek belief that poets are inspired by the Muses, the goddesses of the arts.
The sonnet also features a unique structure, with each line having 12 syllables instead of the usual ten, a style Sidney borrowed from the French poet Du Bellay. Written in iambic pentameter and iambic hexameter, also known as alexandrines, the rhyme scheme of the poem is a variation on the English pattern, running ABAB ABAB CDCD EE.
The poem beautifully concludes with a yearning for love and freedom, using vivid imagery and simple yet powerful language to express deep emotions and connect with the reader’s heart.
Questions and Answers on the poem Loving in Truth
Short Answer Type Questions
Explanation:
1. I sought fit words to paint the blackest face of woe;
Studying inventions fine her wits to entertain,
Oft turning others’ leaves, to see if thence would flow
Some fresh and fruitful showers upon my sunburn’d brain.
Ans. Sir Philip Sidney’s “Astrophel and Stella” is a conventional Petrarchan sonnet-series on love. The present expression forms an extract from the sonnet, beginning with the words “Loving in Truth”. The poet-lover is too eager to write verse in praise of his love aptly to delight his unresponsive ladylove. He expresses here his desperate attempt to get appropriate instruction and inspirations from other sources to perfect his art.
The poet seeks earnestly some inspiration to give vent to the deep feeling of his heart, much anguished by unrequited love. As he fails to do this by means of his verse, he grows much worried and excited of his inability. He seeks inspirations and instructions from other literary masters for the purpose. In this connection, Sidney has a witty recourse to the use of the figure ‘pun’ in the word ‘leaves’. The word is used in a two-fold sense-the leaves of trees and the leaves of books. He fondly hopes to have the congenial effect on his intensely tense mind from the showers, falling from the leaves (of course of trees) and the poetical inspiration showered, no doubt from the leaves of great authors’ great works.
Wit and feeling are found finely fused here and this has warded off sentimentality in the poem. In conclusion, Sidney’s “Astrophel and Stella” beautifully captures the poet’s struggle to express his deep, unrequited love through verse. His clever use of the word ‘leaves’ highlights his yearning for inspiration from nature and literature, blending wit and emotion to avoid excessive sentimentality.
Or,
Sir Philip Sidney’s “Astrophel and Stella” is a collection of love poems written in the style of Petrarch, an Italian poet. One of the poems starts with “Loving in Truth” and talks about how the poet, Astrophel, tries to write beautiful verses to impress his beloved, Stella, who does not return his love.
Astrophel feels a deep sadness because his love is not returned. He desperately wants to express his feelings through poetry but struggles to find the right words. He looks to other great writers for inspiration, hoping their works will help him express his own feelings. In his search for inspiration, Sidney uses a clever wordplay with the word “leaves.” It means both the leaves of trees and the pages of books. Astrophel hopes that the rain falling on tree leaves will calm his troubled mind, just as reading the pages of great books will inspire his poetry. Sidney mixes cleverness and deep emotion in this poem, which keeps it from becoming overly sentimental.
Sir Philip Sidney’s “Astrophel and Stella” effectively portrays the poignant emotions of unrequited love through the poem “Loving in Truth.” Astrophel’s struggle to express his feelings in verse and his search for inspiration from nature and literature are beautifully intertwined. Sidney’s clever use of the word “leaves” adds depth to the poem, symbolizing both the natural world and the wisdom found in books. This blend of wit and heartfelt emotion ensures the poem remains impactful without becoming overly sentimental, highlighting Sidney’s mastery in capturing the complexities of love and longing.
2. Invention, Nature’s child, fled step-dame Study’s blows;
And others’ feet still seem’d but strangers in my way.
Ans. This is from Philip Sidney’s sonnet “Loving in Truth”, and extract from his sonnet-series, “Astrophel and Stella”. The poet addresses his ladylove, Stella, and speaks of his effort to please her with his verse. Here he admits his failure to imitate others in order to succeed in his art.
The poet is eager to please his ladylove, and draws her attention by means of his verse. In order to succeed in his venture, he has sought instructions from other verses by other poets. But he fails absolutely in his effort. His power of poetic invention lacks spontaneity, because he has simply tried to follow or copy others. No scholastic effort succeeds in poetic creation. After all, poetic fancy or imagination is a spontaneous expression, and cannot be forced or imposed by imitation or scholarship. The poet expresses this truth through the witty conception of the poetic invention as the step-child of study. The former evades the latter and as such no external help, learnt through reading, can prove effective in his creative urge.
Sidney’s “Loving in Truth” highlights the poet’s struggle to please his beloved, Stella, through his verses. Despite seeking inspiration from other poets, he fails because his efforts lack originality and spontaneity. Sidney emphasizes that true poetic creativity cannot be forced or imitated. He cleverly illustrates this with the idea that poetic invention is like a step-child to study, eluding scholarly effort. This underscores the importance of genuine, heartfelt inspiration in creating meaningful poetry.
Or,
This passage is from Philip Sidney’s sonnet “Loving in Truth,” part of his collection “Astrophel and Stella.” In the poem, the poet, Astrophel, speaks to his beloved, Stella, about his efforts to make her happy with his poetry. He admits that he has tried to copy other poets to improve his writing but has failed.
Astrophel is very eager to impress Stella and uses his poems to get her attention. He looks at other poets’ works to learn how to write better, but this doesn’t work for him. His poems lack originality because he is just trying to imitate others. True poetry, he realizes, comes from the heart and can’t be forced or learned from books. Sidney uses a clever idea to explain this: he compares poetic creativity to a stepchild that avoids study. This means that genuine poetic inspiration cannot be achieved through reading and copying others; it must come naturally from within.
Sidney’s “Loving in Truth” captures Astrophel’s struggle to impress Stella with his poetry. Despite his efforts to learn from other poets, his verses lack originality and fail to touch Stella’s heart. Sidney emphasizes that true poetry cannot be forced or learned from others; it must flow naturally from one’s own emotions. The clever comparison of poetic creativity to a stepchild avoiding study highlights this idea. Genuine inspiration comes from within, and only then can poetry truly resonate and achieve its purpose of expressing deep, heartfelt feelings.
To read the poems of Philip Sidney
3. Biting my truant pen, beating myself for spite,
“Fool”, said my Muse to me, “look in thy heart and write”.
Ans. This forms the concluding couplet of Sir Philip Sidney’s sonnet “Loving in Truth”, taken from his sonnet-series “Astrophel and Stella”. The poet is eager to please his lady and invites her attention by writing verse n her praise. Here he speaks of the way in which he has learnt the truth to make his verse spontaneously inspiring.
The poet at first tried to imitate others to shine in his art of writing verse. He read different poets and scholars to master his craft, but failed totally. He seemed to lack the spontaneity of free poetic imagination. At last the poet invention cannot be formed by any scholarly study or imitation. It is the product of the spontaneous feeling of heart. The poet comes to realize ultimately that his true inspiration lies in his heart. It is by seeking inspiration from his spontaneous feeling that he can write effective verse to please his ladylove. The expression contains a high truth regarding the secret of poetic invention. Of course, Sidney speaks out in a quite light vein, and there is an element of wit in the last line. This makes the couplet particularly engaging as well as thought-provoking.
Sidney’s sonnet “Loving in Truth” reveals that true poetic inspiration comes from the heart, not imitation. The poet learns that genuine creativity can’t be forced or learned from others. The witty final couplet underscores this truth, making the poem both engaging and insightful.
Or,
This is the final part of Sir Philip Sidney’s sonnet “Loving in Truth,” from his collection “Astrophel and Stella.” In the poem, the poet, Astrophel, wants to make his beloved, Stella, happy by writing poems for her. Here, he talks about how he finally learned the best way to write inspiring poetry.
At first, Astrophel tried to copy other poets to become better at writing. He read many poets and scholars to learn their techniques, but it didn’t work. His poems didn’t feel natural or imaginative. He realized that true poetry can’t be learned from books or by copying others. It must come from genuine feelings in the heart. Astrophel finally understands that his best inspiration comes from his own emotions. By writing from his heart, he can create poetry that will truly please Stella. This ending of the poem contains an important truth about writing poetry. Sidney explains it in a light and witty way, making the last lines both interesting and thoughtful. Sidney’s sonnet “Loving in Truth” conveys Astrophel’s realization about the true source of poetic inspiration. Initially, he tries to improve his writing by imitating other poets and scholars but finds his verses lack authenticity and imagination. Astrophel learns that true poetry cannot be forced or copied; it must come from sincere emotions within the heart. This insight leads him to understand that his best poetry will come from his own feelings, making it truly impactful and pleasing to Stella. Sidney’s light and witty explanation in the final lines underscores this profound truth, making the poem both engaging and meaningful.
Very Short Type Questions
1. How will pleasure lead to pity in Sidney’s “Loving in Truth”?
Ans. Philip Sidney in “Loving in Truth” expresses his deep desire to show his lady-love his love by writing verse. He thinks that this pleasure may cause her read. Reading will lead her know that he loves her. This knowledge will make the beloved fell pity. Thus ‘pleasure’ will lead to pity in Sidney’s “Loving in Truth”.
Or,
In Philip Sidney’s poem “Loving in Truth,” he talks about how he wants to show his love for a woman by writing poems. He believes that if his poems give her pleasure, she will read them. When she reads them, she will understand how much he loves her. Once she knows about his love, he hopes she will feel pity for him and maybe love him back. So, Sidney thinks that giving her pleasure through his poems will eventually make her feel pity for him.
2. “I sought fit words to paint the blackest face of woe” –Explain the paradox.
Ans. The poet’s heart ached in the deep passion of love and he sought to express this in appropriate poetic terms. The balance between the depth of the poet’s feeling and his poetic urge is well maintained. He is in love but what is more is that he is eager to show his love in this verse to express appropriately the pang of his unfulfilled love. The lover as well as artist in Sidney comes out equally here.
Or,
The poet’s heart aches deeply because of his love, and he wants to express this feeling through poetry. He balances his strong emotions with his desire to write beautiful poems. Sidney is not only in love but also eager to show his love through his verses. He wants to express the pain of his unfulfilled love in the best way possible. In this poem, both the lover and the artist in Sidney are clearly shown.
3. From which sonnet sequence is the sonnet “Loving in Truth” taken?
Ans. The sonnet “Loving in Truth” is taken from Sidney’s sonnet sequence “Astrophel and Stella”, which narrates a love-affair between the lover (i.e. Astrophel which means star-like plant or Sidney himself) and his beloved (i.e. Stella, which means ‘star’ or Penelope).
4. What advice did the Muse give to the poet?
Ans. The Muse advises the poet to give up searching for noble emotions and their expressions in beautiful meter from the poetic creations of other writers. Rather the Muse advices him to look into his own heart, understand his own feelings, seek them out and express them in a manner which he thinks fit.
Or,
The Muse tells the poet to stop looking for inspiration in other writers’ works. Instead, she advises him to look into his own heart, understand his own feelings, and express them in his own way.
5. “Biting my truant pen, beating myself for spite,
‘Fool, said my Muse to me” –Who is ‘fool’? Who is ‘my Muse’?
Ans. ‘Fool’ is Philip Sidney, the poet.
According to the classical mythology, there are nine goddesses who inspire poetry. Here ‘Muse’ refers to the poetic spirit of the poet. The poet is praying to the Muse before writing verse.
6. Why does the Muse call him a ‘fool’?
Ans. The Muse calls him ‘fool’ because the poet seeks poetic inspiration from the works of the other poets. Yet he fails to find appropriate words to express his feelings for his lady-love. The poet is ‘fool’ because he never looks in his own heart.
7. “Look in thy heart and write” –Elaborate briefly the contention of the poet and his Muse.
Or,
Write down the central thought or theme of the poem.
Ans. The poet wants to expresses his love for his lady-love through his verse. For this he seeks inspiration from the works of other poets but in vain. At last realizes that true poetic inspiration does not depend on external forces. It is the child of nature. True poetic inspiration can only be found within the heart. It is a spontaneous feeling. It spontaneously flows from the heart. His ‘muse’ i.e. poetic spirit makes his feel so.
Or,
The main idea of the poem is that the poet wants to express his love through his poems. He tries to get inspiration from other poets, but it doesn’t work. He finally understands that real inspiration comes from inside himself. True poetic inspiration is natural and comes from the heart. His muse, or poetic spirit, helps him realize this.
8. Why study is called a step-dame in Sidney’s poem “Loving in Truth”?
Ans. “Study” is called ‘step-mother’ by Sidney’s “Loving in Truth”. The poetic inspiration cannot be found by studying the poems written by other poets. True poetic faculty is in the heart. What the heart feels is expressed through the pen of the writers. Just like child blows away after coming of study. So study is called step-dame.
Or,
In Sidney’s poem “Loving in Truth,” “study” is called a “step-mother.” This is because true poetic inspiration doesn’t come from studying other poets’ work. Real poetry comes from the heart and what the heart feels. Just as a step-mother is not the same as a real mother, studying is not the same as true inspiration.
9. Explain the analogy in the expression –“Great with child to speak”.
Ans. The poet wants to convey his true love to his beloved by writing verse. He has developed poetic impulse in him. This newly developed poetic is compared to a child. When a child learns new experiences he wants to speak it out. Similarly, his newly developed poetic impulse seeks to express his feeling in the form of a verse. This is the comparison which is implicitly drawn by the poet.
Or,
The phrase “Great with child to speak” means that the poet is eager and full of desire to express his feelings through poetry. He compares this strong urge to write poetry to a child who eagerly wants to share new experiences by speaking about them. Just as a child is excited to talk about what it has learned, the poet is excited to write about his deep feelings for his beloved.
10. Which meter has the followed in the poem?
Ans. The poet (i.e. Philip Sidney) has written this sonnet in iambic hexameter. The rhyme scheme is ababcdcdee.
11. What is the central thought of the sonnet “Loving in Truth”?
Ans. Sidney’s “Loving in Truth” has love as its central thought. The poet in the person of Astrophel expresses his eagerness to delight his lady-love by writing verse on his love. He therefore seeks hard to find appropriate words to express his feelings of love. But his scholarly labour to invent something fine ‘to entertain her wits, and his attempt to find inspiration and guidance from other poets and other like devices bears no fruit at all. At least he realizes that his inspiration lies in the depth of his heart that is lost in love.
Or,
The phrase “Great with child to speak” means that the poet is eager and full of desire to express his feelings through poetry. He compares this strong urge to write poetry to a child who eagerly wants to share new experiences by speaking about them. Just as a child is excited to talk about what it has learned, the poet is excited to write about his deep feelings for his beloved.
12. What is the key note of the sonnet “Loving in Truth”?
Ans. The keynote of this sonnet is sincerity in love. It deals with love and focuses the importance of spontaneous feeling of heart. The lover here proposes to achieve his beloved’s pity and grace by writing verse in her praise and spares no pain for the purpose. Indeed the poem rings with a love’s intimate feeling and emotion.
Or,
The main theme of the sonnet “Loving in Truth” is sincere love. It explores the depth of love and emphasizes the importance of genuine feelings from the heart. The poet expresses his desire to win his beloved’s pity and affection by writing heartfelt verses dedicated to her. The poem resonates with deep emotions and the intimacy of love.
13. Comment on the structure of the Petrarchan sonnet “Loving in Truth”.
Ans. Sidney’s “Loving in Truth” is a characteristic Petrarchan sonnet. Like a Petrarchan sonnet, the sonnet is of 14 lines. The theme of the octave consists of the poet’s frantic efforts to please his lady-love by writing verse on his love. The sestet shows his failure and ultimate revelation. A characteristic Petrarchan sonnet has five rhymes (abcde). This sonnet has also five rhymes though the sestet a concluding couplet.
Or,
Sidney’s “Loving in Truth” follows the structure of a typical Petrarchan sonnet. It has 14 lines divided into an octave (first eight lines) and a sestet (last six lines). In the octave, the poet expresses his intense efforts to impress his beloved by writing poetry about his love. However, in the sestet, he reflects on his failure to achieve this and comes to a realization. Petrarchan sonnets typically use a rhyme scheme of abbaabba in the octave and various patterns in the sestet, often ending with a rhyming couplet. Similarly, Sidney’s sonnet follows this rhyme scheme, maintaining the form but adding a concluding couplet to wrap up the poem.
Questions and Answer of the poem
Ans. The pet in the person of a lover desires to express his love and sincere devotion in verse. He is eager to show his love in his verse to express appropriately the pang of his unfulfilled love. In order to succeed in his venture he has sought instructions from other verses by other poets. But he fails absolutely in his effort.
Or,
The lover in the poem tries in vain to win his lady’s pity and admiration by writing poetry about his deep love and longing for her. He eagerly seeks guidance from other poets’ works to express his feelings effectively. However, despite his efforts, he completely fails to achieve his goal.
15. Justify the title of the sonnet “Loving in Truth”.
Ans. Sidney’s sonnet “Loving in Truth” represents theme of love. The name of the sonnet carries the prime thought of the poem. His (i.e. Astrophel or Sidney himself) devotion is expressed in his offering to his labour and sorrow for the lady’s pleasure. He tries to get inspiration from rich external sources only to realize ultimately that true love, and nothing less, inspires the right expression of love. With a view to attract the attention of his lover, he has got instructions from other poets’ composition. Love is the ideal by life that need selfless dedication. So the title of the sonnet is appropriate and justified.
Or,
The title “Loving in Truth” perfectly captures the theme of the sonnet, which is about genuine and sincere love. The poet, Astrophel (or Sidney himself), expresses his deep devotion through his efforts and sacrifices to please his beloved. Initially, he seeks inspiration from other poets’ works to impress her. However, he eventually realizes that true love alone inspires the right expression of his feelings. The title reflects the central idea that true love requires honesty, dedication, and authenticity in its expression.
16. “Oft turning other’s leaves to see if thence would flow” –
Why do you think the poet indulged in oft turning others’ leaves?
Ans. In the sonnet “Loving in Truth” Sidney in the person of a lover expresses his desire to show his beloved his love in his verse written in her praise. He hopes that his effort, if successful may, ultimately win for him her pity and grace. In his frantic efforts to find ‘fit words’ to paint his deep pang caused by love, he attempts to find inspiration and guidance from other poet’s works. Hence he has often ‘turned other’s leaves’ i.e. pages of the books written by others.
Or,
In the sonnet “Loving in Truth,” Sidney portrays the lover who wants to express his love for his beloved through poetry dedicated to her. He hopes that his poems will move her and earn her sympathy and favor. To find the right words and inspiration to convey the depth of his emotions effectively, he searches through the works of other poets. This is why he often “turns other’s leaves,” meaning he reads the pages of books written by others in his quest for guidance and inspiration.
17. “Oft turning other’s leaves to see if thence would flow
Some fresh and fruitful showers upon my sun-burned brain” –Explain the imagery.
Ans. This extraction from Sidney’s “Loving in Truth” speaks of an imagery which is quite clear and felicitous. The dry and scorched land becomes fresh and fruitful by the effect of the showers. The poet thinks that like the showers, the works of other literary masters may freshen and make active his heart-oppresses brain.
Or,
In Sidney’s “Loving in Truth,” this phrase uses imagery to describe the poet’s search for inspiration. When he talks about “turning other’s leaves” to find “fresh and fruitful showers upon my sun-burned brain,” he compares his mind to a parched, dry land. Just as rain revitalizes dry soil, he hopes that reading other poets’ works will refresh and stimulate his weary mind, allowing new ideas and inspiration to flow freely.
18. “And other’s feet still seemed but strangers in my way” –
Who are referred to here as others’? Why do you think ‘others feet still seemed but strangers in the poet’s way?
Ans. Sidney in this sonnet “Loving in Truth” substantiates his contention that poetic impulse is a spontaneous urge and can never be drilled by any external force. He has studied the works of other poets for his inspiration but cannot find any inspiring effect from those. ‘Others’ here refers to other poets. Their works are as unusual to the poet as the footsteps of some strangers because the political measures of other poets seem ineffective to the poet’s creative urge.
Or,
In Sidney’s sonnet “Loving in Truth,” he expresses that true poetic inspiration cannot be forced or imitated. When he says “And other’s feet still seemed but strangers in my way,” he’s referring to other poets. Their works feel unfamiliar and ineffective to him, like the footsteps of strangers on his path. Despite studying their poetry for inspiration, he finds their methods and styles don’t ignite his own creative impulse. This highlights his belief that genuine poetic inspiration comes from within, not from external sources.
19. “Thus great with child to speak and helpless in my throes
Biting my truant pen, beating myself for spite,” –
With reference to the poet throwing light on its cause.
Ans. In order to delight his lady-love by writing verse on his love, the poet indulges in the frantic efforts of finding appropriate ways of expression. He fails in his attempt to find inspiration and guidance from other poet’s works. So he feels ‘helpless’ and was in pain for he cannot express his poetic urge in proper words. His state of restlessness in the intense passion of love is well-suggested by the expression beating myself for spite.
Or,
In these lines from Sidney’s “Loving in Truth,” the poet describes his intense struggle to express his love through poetry. He feels overwhelmed with the desire to speak about his love (“great with child to speak”) but is frustrated by his inability to find the right words. He struggles with his pen (“truant pen”), feeling powerless and upset because he can’t convey his feelings effectively. The phrase “beating myself for spite” suggests his inner turmoil and frustration at not being able to express his poetic inspiration in a satisfactory way.
20. What do you think to be the moral of Sidney’s sonnet “Loving in Truth”?
Ans. In the sonnet “Loving in Truth” Sidney expresses his final realization about the secret of poetic inspiration. He realizes that poetic invention cannot be formed by any scholarly study or imitation. The creative inspiration comes from the heart spontaneously and is fed by the nobler feelings like love which too dwell in the heart.
Or,
In Sidney’s sonnet “Loving in Truth,” the moral is that true poetic inspiration cannot be learned or imitated from others. It comes spontaneously from the heart, nourished by sincere emotions like love. The poet realizes that genuine creativity springs from within and is guided by deep, heartfelt feelings rather than external influences or scholarly study.
21. Comment on Sidney’s approach to love as reflected in his sonnet.
Ans. Sidney’s approach to love as reflected in his sonnet “Loving in Truth” is free from any angry denunciation or disquieting distraction. His love is absolute without any certainty and his dedication is genuine and unconditional. He is eager to show his love to his lady by writing verse in her praise and is prepared for any sort of toil and pain to win her favour.
Or,
Sidney’s approach to love in his sonnet “Loving in Truth” is calm and sincere. He doesn’t show anger or frustration. His love is pure and complete, even though he isn’t sure if it will be returned. He is truly dedicated and willing to go through any effort or hardship to win the favor of the lady he loves. He eagerly writes poetry to praise her, hoping to show her how much he cares.
22. In what sense is the sonnet conventional or Petrarchan?
Ans. It is a typical Elizabethan sonnet based on the Petrarchan pattern basically divided into an octave and sestet and five rhymes. The singleness of emotion that characterizes the Petrarchan sonnet is also distinctly evident in Sidney’s sonnet which is concerned with the emotion of love, rather dedicated love. Like Petrarchan, Sidney also dedicated love. The high ideal of love is has been expressed with honesty and depth.
Or,
Sidney’s sonnet is a traditional Elizabethan sonnet, following the Petrarchan style. It is divided into two parts: an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), with five rhyming patterns. The single strong emotion of love, a key feature of Petrarchan sonnets, is clearly shown in Sidney’s sonnet. Sidney, like Petrarch, expresses a deep and honest dedication to love, portraying a high and noble ideal of love.
23. Who is “Stella” and “Astrophel”?
Ans. Stella means star and Astrophel means star-lover or star-gazer. Here Sidney refers to Penelope Devereux, the daughter of the Duke of Essex, as Stella with whom he was betrothed while she was young but she was finally married to Lord Rich. Astrophel is Sidney’s assumed name in his sonnet sequence.
24. “Invention Nature’s child” –What is meant by invention? Why is it called ‘Nature’s child’? Why ‘study’ is called step dame? Why did ‘Invention’ flee step dame study’s blow?
Ans. Invention here means poetic creation, the imagination or the inspiration for inventive creation in poetry.
This invention is the effect of the spontaneous impulse –so this is called ‘Nature’s child’. Poetry comes of nature; it is born and cannot be made.
‘Study’ is taken as the ‘step dame’ (step mother) of the poetic invention that follows from a spontaneous urge.
No poetic invention is possible through the study of literary masters, however eminent they may be. Naturally this flees away from such an external authority, just as a child runs away from the control of his or her step mother.
25. “But words came halting forth” –Why did the words come halting forth?
Ans. True inspiration helps one write spontaneously or effortlessly. But Sidney (i.e. the poet) lacked true creative energy and inspiration. So when he tried to write the poem, he had to grope for words. His language was faltering, not moving smoothly in flowing verse at the time of imitating others.
Or,
The words came out slowly and with difficulty because Sidney didn’t have true inspiration. Real inspiration makes writing easy and natural. But Sidney lacked this creative energy. So, when he tried to write, he struggled to find the right words. His language was hesitant and didn’t flow smoothly because he was trying to copy others.
26. Why does the poet say that his brain is sunburnt?
Ans. The poet strives frantically to convey his feelings to his beloved by means of a poem. But due to lack of inspiration and imagination fit words do not come to him. This barren, unfertile unproductive and unimaginative state of his mind is said to be sunburnt. The dried up and withered brain of the poet which is compared to the earth, scorched by burning heat of the summer. As the cloud brings showers to refresh and moisten the earth and feeds the flowers and fruits, so the poet sought for ideas and images which might feed his imagination and makes it fruitful of poetry.
Or,
The poet says his brain is “sunburnt” because he is trying hard to express his feelings in a poem but can’t find the right words. Without inspiration and imagination, his mind feels dry and empty, like land scorched by the sun. Just as rain refreshes dry land and helps plants grow, the poet needs fresh ideas and images to inspire his imagination and help him create beautiful poetry.
27. “Thus great with child to speak and helpless in my throes” –Explain the metaphor.
Ans. The poet means through in “Great with child to speak” his newly roused poetic emotion that seeks to expresses itself. He was possessed by his poetic passion that had developed in him and wanted to speak out in appropriate verses. The expression is metaphorical. The poet’s newly roused poetic impulse is compared to a child who wants to speak out his newly learnt experience or the wonder of the world.
Or,
The poet uses the metaphor “great with child to speak” to describe his strong poetic feelings that want to come out. He is filled with poetic passion and wants to express it in verses. This expression is a metaphor comparing his new poetic impulse to a child eager to share new experiences or wonders of the world. The poet feels this urge to speak out, just like a child wanting to talk about something exciting.
28. “Biting my truant pen” –Why does the poet call his pen ‘truant’?
Ans. The poet (i.e. Sidney) strives hard to write a poem expressing his feeling to his beloved. But due to lack of poetic gifts –inspiration –the poet cannot find proper words to express himself. The pen too does not help him because it does not obey his heart and escape from his control like a truant school boy. This non-cooperation by his pen has led the poet to compare it with a truant school boy.
Or,
The poet calls his pen ‘truant’ because he is trying hard to write a poem to express his feelings to his beloved but can’t find the right words due to lack of inspiration. His pen doesn’t help him; it doesn’t follow his heart and is out of his control, like a schoolboy who skips school. Because his pen is not cooperating, the poet compares it to a truant schoolboy.
29. Refer to the chronological stages the poet states in “Loving in Truth” to be favoured with lady’s love?
Ans. The poet lover (i.e. Sidney) is genuinely in love, and i) wants to show with all pain and strain this (i.e. geniuses in love) in his verse. He hopes that his poetic pain or effort may ii) please her and that her iii) pleasure may lead her to iv) read his verse. This reading may enlighten her of his genuine attachment to her. This may, again, lead her vi) to pity him and her pity may draw her to vii) favour him with her love.
Or,
In “Loving in Truth,” the poet describes the steps he hopes will win his lady’s love. He is truly in love and wants to show this in his poetry, even if it is hard work. He hopes his effort in writing will please her. If she is pleased, she might read his poems. By reading his poems, she might understand his genuine love for her. Understanding his love, she might feel pity for him. Her pity might then lead her to favor him with her love.
30. “If thence would flow/ Some fresh and fruitful showers upon my sun-burnt brain” –Explain the metaphor implied here.
Ans. This extraction from Sidney’s “Loving in Truth” speaks of an imagery which is quite clear and felicitous. Showers have the effect to make dry and scorched land fresh and fruitful. Similarly, other literary masters may freshen and make active the poet’s much worried, sun burnt brain –the brain that is unable to produce poetic creation. Here ‘showers’ means the works of other literary masters ‘Sun-burnt brain’ means the poet’s dry unproductive brain.
Or,
In this line from Sidney’s “Loving in Truth,” the poet uses a clear and fitting metaphor. Just as rain makes dry, scorched land fresh and fruitful, the works of other literary masters can refresh and inspire the poet’s tired, unproductive mind. Here, ‘showers’ represent the influence of other writers, and ‘sun-burnt brain’ represents the poet’s dry, uncreative mind.
31. “That she (dear she)” –Who is ‘she’ referred to here?
Ans. The ‘she’ referred to here is the poet’s beloved Penelope Llevereux.
32. “I sought fit words” –Why did the poet seek fit words?
Ans. In order to express his deep passion for his beloved by means of poetry, the poet sought fit words which would reflect his distressed passion truly.
33. “Invention Nature’s child, fled step-dame study’s blows” –Explain the line with comment.
Ans. The poet expresses the truth about true poetic inspiration through the witty conception of the poetic invention as the step child of study. No external help like reading proves effective. Sidney’s tone here is frank and expressive and naturalness in sonnet writing. His admission that invention is nature’s child to which study is the step-dame is a finely conceived analogy and reveals his subtle poetic wit and liveliness.
Or,
In this line, the poet is saying that true poetic inspiration is natural and can’t be forced by study or hard work. He uses the image of invention (creativity) being like a child of nature, while study is like a harsh stepmother. This means that no amount of studying or reading can replace natural inspiration. Sidney is being honest and clever, showing his poetic wit by saying that creativity comes naturally and can’t be forced by studying.
34. What is the sense of “Loving in Truth”?
Ans. Loving in Truth actually means ‘loving truly or sincerely’. The poet wants to express his sincere love for his lady love. Love here is presented as coming from the depth of heart, and not a mere show of manners.
35. “In verse my love to show…” –How does the poet want to show his love in his verse?
Ans. The poet wants to show his love in his verse because, first, he wants to please his lady and for that he is ready to understand pain even. As the lady feels delighted with the lovers verse, written in her praise, she becomes curious, and feels inclined to read, Again by reading his verse, she may well realized his love for her. Her pity again, may induce her to favoured him. He may thereby win her grace through his poem written in her praise.
Or,
The poet wants to express his love in his verse because he wants to please his lady. He is willing to endure pain to achieve this. When the lady reads his poetry praising her, she feels delighted and curious. Reading his verse helps her understand his love for her. Feeling pity for him, she may be inclined to favor him. Through his poetry celebrating her, he hopes to win her affection and grace.
36. “Invention Nature’s child, fled step-dame study’s blows” –Explain the metaphor in this line.
Ans. Invention is used here to mean poetic imagination and inspiration. It (i.e. invention) is called the child of nature because it comes naturally and spontaneously and not from any scholastic and artificial efforts. Creative art is the gift of Nature and no true art can be made by dint of artificial efforts.
‘Study’ is this artificial effort to create poetry. It is called ‘step-mother’ of invention. Study is taken as step-mother of poetic invention and the latter is found to evade the authority of the former, just as a child runs away from the command of his step-mother.
The real intention behind the use of such a line is personal realization on the part of the poet (i.e. Sidney). The poet after repeated futile attempts, realized ultimately true inspiration comes naturally. Any scholastic effort however great it may be only gives birth to despair because true poetic invention or inspiration comes effortlessly. Poetic invention evades any scholastic effort just as a child evades its step-mother.
Or,
In this line, the poet compares poetic inspiration, called “invention,” to a child of nature because it comes naturally and spontaneously, not through scholarly or artificial efforts. “Study” represents those artificial efforts to create poetry, seen here as a stepmother to invention. The metaphor suggests that true creativity cannot be forced or taught through study alone; it must flow naturally. The poet, like Sidney, realizes that despite trying hard with scholarly methods, real inspiration only comes naturally, like a child avoiding the authority of a stepmother.
37. “That she (dear she) might take some pleasure of my pain” –Explain the meaning.
Ans. The poet in his sincere devotion, desired to express his love in verse. He hoped to offer pleasure to his lady-love by his own poetic pain. She might read his verse for the sake of her pleasure. She might thereby come to know of his love for her, feel pity for him and favour him with her grace and love. He therefore, for this sought hard to find appropriate words to express his feelings of love. The poet thought she may be pleased to know of the deep agony of the poet’s heart, caused by his loss of hope and happiness for losing her and thus feels a sort of pity for him.
Or,
The poet wanted to express his love through verse sincerely. He hoped that his lady-love would find pleasure in his heartfelt expression, even though it caused him pain to write it. He believed she might read his poetry out of curiosity or enjoyment. By reading it, she would understand his deep love for her and perhaps feel sympathy for him. This sympathy might lead her to favor him and reciprocate his love. Therefore, he worked hard to find the right words to convey his feelings of love, hoping she would appreciate his sincere devotion.
38. Analyze Sidney’s language and diction.
Ans. The poet’s diction is well chosen, while his metaphorical imagery is plain and impressive. His attempt to find inspiration from other authors is well indicated in a pleasantly metaphorical language; “oft turning others’ leaves, to see if thence would flow/ some fresh and fruitful showers upon my sunburned brain”. There is a graceful variation in the poet’s play of wit here and there in the diction.
Or,
Sidney’s choice of words is careful and his use of metaphorical imagery is clear and striking. He talks about seeking inspiration from other writers with a pleasing metaphor: “oft turning others’ leaves, to see if thence would flow/ some fresh and fruitful showers upon my sunburned brain”. His language also shows a graceful playfulness and variation in his use of wit. Overall, Sidney’s language and diction are skillfully crafted to convey his thoughts and feelings effectively in his poetry.
39. Write a critical appreciation of the poem.
Ans. It is a poem about Sidney’s devoted love for Penelope and adequately represents his theme of love with impressive technique. Despite a transition in the poet’s mood, the essential unity is nowhere found missing and the emotional impact remains all through unchangeable. It is typically Petrarchan with octave and sestet, and also having five rhymes. There is also with and thought-provoking imagery. The diction is all simple.
Or,
The poem “Loving in Truth” by Sidney beautifully expresses his deep love for Penelope and showcases his skill as a poet. It maintains a consistent emotional impact throughout, even as the poet’s mood shifts. The poem follows the traditional Petrarchan structure with an octave and sestet, and it uses five rhymes effectively. Sidney’s use of vivid and thought-provoking imagery enhances the poem’s impact. The language he uses is straightforward and clear, adding to the poem’s accessibility and charm. Overall, “Loving in Truth” is a testament to Sidney’s mastery in capturing the theme of love with both technique and heartfelt emotion.
40. “Biting my truant pen, beating myself for spite” –What did the poet beat himself?
Ans. The poet beats himself in disgust and despair, for his failure to write the much desired verses in praise of his love. The term is well used to indicate the state of restlessness. The poet was restless, in an awkward state, for he could not express his poetic feeling. The poet has often to stop writing and search for words; he holds up the pen and goes on biting it with his teeth and think and think. But true poetry flows from the pen in an unforced and ceaseless stream.
Or,
The poet beats himself out of frustration and disappointment because he can’t write the verses he wants to praise his love. This action shows his restless state and his struggle to express his poetic feelings. He bites his pen in agitation, trying hard to think of the right words. True poetry, however, is supposed to flow naturally and effortlessly from the pen.
41. “Fool” said my Muse to me “look in thy heart and write” –analyze Sidney’s poetic creed here.
Ans. The poem ends with Sidney’s realization that the poetic inspiration has its seat in the depth of one’s heart. It is roused by the feeling of the heart that grows round love. No external instruction however formidable and scholarly it may be, no imitation, however, depth and devoted it may be, can create the truly poetic impulse that dwells in the innermost core of heart only.
42. What effect does the poet hope his poem to produce in his beloved?
Ans. The beloved may be pleased to know of the poet’s deep agony for her sake and his pleasure may induce her to read the poem. On reading the poem, the lady may come to know of the deep distress of the poet’s soul and then she may feel pity for him and this pity may lead her to love the poet with a sort of holy and platonic sentiment.
43. “Biting my truant pen” –Why does the poet call his pen ‘truant’?
Ans. Due to lack of poetic gifts –inspiration –the poet cannot find proper words to express himself. The pen too does not help him because it does not obey his heart and escape for his control like a truant school boy. This non-cooperation by his pen has led the poet to compare it with a truant school boy. Or, truant means lazy. The poet has often to stop writing and search for words; he holds up the pen and goes on biting it with his teeth and think and think. But true poetry comes from the heart not from pen.
44. Explain the pun in the phrase “others feet”.
Ans. The poet means the poems written by other poets. In the phrase “others feet” we have another fine use of the pun. ‘Feet’ may mean the metrical feet of the other poets or it may mean the footsteps of them. The poetical measures of other poets seemed ineffective to the poet’s creative urge. They were as unusual as the footsteps of some strangers. The pun in ‘feet’ is quite admirably conceived.
45. Comment on the underlying theme of the sonnet?
Ans. Sidney’s “Loving in Truth” is a beautiful sonnet with a clear and well-pronounced theme. It indicates categorically that the poetic inspiration comes from the feeling of heart. No external instruction, however formidable and scholarly it may be no imitation however deft and devoted it may be, can create truly poetic impulse that dwells in the innermost core of heart.
Questions and Answers on the poem Loving in Truth
