Question

How does the following poem express the beliefs of the humanist movement?

Sonnet 4 from Astrophil and Stella by Sir Philip Sidney

Virtue, alas, now let me take some rest. Thou set’st a bate between my will and wit. If vain love have my simple soul oppress’d, Leave what thou likest not, deal not thou with it. Thy scepter use in some old Cato’s breast; Churches or schools are for thy seat more fit. I do confess, pardon a fault confess’d, My mouth too tender is for thy hard bit. But if that needs thou wilt usurping be, The little reason that is left in me, And still th’effect of thy persuasions prove: I swear, my heart such one shall show to thee That shrines in flesh so true a deity, That Virtue, thou thyself shalt be in love.
A. It emphasizes the fulfillment of worldly love.
B. It mentions religious institutions such as the Catholic Church.
C. It emphasizes the superiority of virtue.
D. It uses reason to make its point. NextReset

Answer 1

I'm thinking its C but I'm not sure

Answer 2

C. It emphasizes the superiority of virtue.

Step-by-step explanation:

This is an example of humanist thought because it emphasizes the importance and superiority of virtue. In this passage, virtue is considered so important that the author doubts whether he would ever be able to attain it. This was a popular idea in the humanist movement, as the movement focused on the perfectibility of men's mind and spirit.