ASTROPHEL AND STELLA

A sequence of sonnets by Sir Philip Sidney (1554-86) is supposed to be addressed by the Star lover (Astrophel) to the Star (Stella). They were written in about 1580 but not published until 1591. The poets Wyatt and Surrey had already tried the sonnet form, introducing it from Italy. Sidney’s sequence contains some of the finest sonnets in English poetry. Stella is based on Penelope Devereux, daughter of the Earl of Essex. Her marriage with Sidney was proposed in 1576, but instead, she married Lord Rich. There were 108 sonnets and 11 songs.