Voting Station

Philip Sidney

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Poet

The Resume

    (November 30, 1554-October 17, 1586)
    Born in Kent, England, United Kingdom
    Poet, soldier and courtier
    Wrote 'The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia' (1580/published 1591), 'Astrophel and Stella (1581/published 1591) and 'The Defense of Poesy' (1581/published 1595)
    Died of a wound suffered during the Battle of Zutphen in the Netherlands

Why he might be annoying:

    He had to withdraw from court following an argument in which he challenged Edward de Vere to a duel. (Queen Elizabeth intevened to force them to call off the duel.)
    None of his major literary works were published until after his death.
    According to John Aubrey's 'Brief Lives,' he died not from his wound but from refusing to heed his physician's advice to 'forebear his carnal knowledge' of his wife until the injury healed.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He was called 'the President of Nobles and of Chivalry' by Edmund Spenser.
    His poem 'Arcadia' inspired parts of Shakespeare's 'King Lear,' 'Hamlet' and 'The Winter's Tale.'
    After he was wounded, he handed his water bottle to a dying soldier, saying 'Thy need is greater than mine.'

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2021, Out of 78 Votes: 62.82% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 7 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 10 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 7 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 12 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 20 Votes: 80.0% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 56 Votes: 69.64% Annoying