Both Sir Philip Sidney’s An Apology for Poetry (1595) and Percy Bysshe Shelley’s A Defence of Poetry (1821) argue for the value of poetry, but they come from different contexts and have distinct views on poetry’s role:

Context:

Sidney: Wrote during the Elizabethan era, responding to Puritan attacks on the immorality and frivolity of fiction, including poetry.
Shelley: A Romantic poet, defending poetry against a rising tide of scientific rationalism that viewed poetry as irrelevant.
Focus of Defense:

Sidney: Emphasizes poetry’s moral and educational purpose. He argues that poetry teaches moral lessons more effectively than philosophy or history by using vivid language and inspiring emotions.
Shelley: Focuses on poetry’s power to inspire and shape imagination. He sees poets as “unacknowledged legislators” who can bring about social change by awakening the human spirit and fostering empathy.
Nature of Poetry:

Sidney: Views poetry as an imitation of nature, aiming to create a more perfect version of reality. He values established forms and rules.
Shelley: Believes poetry taps into a deeper, ideal world beyond the physical. He prioritizes the poet’s imagination and inspiration over strict rules.
Impact on the Reader:

Sidney: Poetry instructs and refines the reader’s moral character.
Shelley: Poetry awakens and elevates the reader’s imagination, promoting social progress and understanding.
Overall Tone:

Sidney: More apologetic, aiming to justify poetry’s place in society.
Shelley: More celebratory, emphasizing the transformative power of poetry.
In essence, Sidney argues for poetry’s value as a moral teacher, while Shelley sees it as a catalyst for imagination and social change.