An Apology for Poetry

by

Philip Sidney

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on An Apology for Poetry makes teaching easy.
Edward Wotton is a courtier and friend of Sidney’s who accompanied him on his European tour. He appears in the very beginning of “An Apology for Poetry” as a fellow student of the Italian riding instructor Giovanni Pietro Pugliano at the court of Maximilian II. The historical Wotton was renowned for his learning and, in addition to his distinguished career as a diplomat for Elizabeth I, was involved in many literary projects. Sidney refers to him as “right virtuous,” and his presence in the introduction of “An Apology for Poetry” would only emphasize Sidney’s aristocratic connections.
Get the entire An Apology for Poetry LitChart as a printable PDF.
An Apology for Poetry PDF

Edward Wotton Character Timeline in An Apology for Poetry

The timeline below shows where the character Edward Wotton appears in An Apology for Poetry. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
An Apology for Poetry
Poetry vs. History and Philosophy Theme Icon
Defending Poetry Theme Icon
Sidney tells the reader that he and Edward Wotton once studied horseback riding with Giovanni Pietro Pugliano at the court of the Holy Roman... (full context)