George Puttenham
George Puttenham was a notable figure in the sixteenth century, primarily recognized for his influential work, *The Art of English Poesie*, published anonymously in 1589. This treatise is an essential resource for understanding the art of writing and the dynamics of court life during that era. Although his authorship was first suggested by Edmund Bolton in the early seventeenth century, Puttenham’s life was marked by personal and legal struggles, including imprisonment for various misdemeanors and an infamous plot against Lord Burghley.
Puttenham married Lady Elizabeth Paulet Windsor, a union that ended in separation, leading to financial disputes after their divorce. His writings not only showcase his expertise in poetry and rhetoric but also reflect his deep understanding of the courtly gentleman's lifestyle. In *The Art of English Poesie*, he provides guidance on using poetry as a means to curry favor in court, while also addressing the evolving nature of the English language and advocating for the inclusion of foreign words to enhance it. His insights into poetic technique and language remain significant, offering a captivating glimpse into the cultural and literary landscape of his time.
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George Puttenham
Author
- Born: c. 1530
- Birthplace: England
- Died: 1590
- Place of death: England
Biography
George Puttenham, son of Robert Puttenham and Margery Puttenham, is widely considered the probable author of the historic critical work The Art of English Poesie. This book was published anonymously in 1589, and is regarded as an important treatise on writing and on court life in the sixteenth century. Edmund Bolton first reported the author as Puttenham; Bolton made the assertion in his Hypercritica, written around 1621 but not published until 1722.
Known details of Puttenham’s life reveal that he was imprisoned on more than one occasion for a variety of misdemeanors, although he practiced as a lawyer in the Middle Temple of the Inns Courts in London. He married the wealthy Lady Elizabeth Paulet Windsor around 1560, but separated from her in 1575. She was left without income since her wealth passed to Puttenham through marriage, but he refused to provide any support for her after their divorce. His decision led to numerous court orders requiring that he provide income for her—orders that he evaded or refused.
Puttenham was imprisoned in December, 1578, after allegedly plotting against Lord Burghley, but he received reparation in 1585. In 1587, Puttenham wrote a seventy-page document, “A Justification of Queen Elizabeth in Relacion to the Affarie of Mary Queen of Scottes,” which removed blame from Elizabeth in the execution of Mary Stuart. The writer also presented a treatise, Partheniades, in 1579 to Queen Elizabeth I, having written it especially for the queen.
In addition to his native English, Puttenham spoke Italian, Latin, and Greek, and had a broad knowledge the life of a courtly gentleman, which he demonstrated in The Art of English Poesie. In this book, he instructs readers on how to use poetry and rhetoric to gain favors in court. Puttenham’s discussion of poetic technique is regarded as creative and, at times, unclear; his discussion of language is noteworthy, however. He anticipates a definition for “Standard English” in his book when he defines language as speech that is commonly accepted and understood by the majority of people in a country, and he encourages integrating words from other languages to enrich the English language. His discussion of poetry and courtly life show an evolution of his opinions through an analytical process that is enlightening and entertaining in his major work.