Astrophil and Stella

"Astrophil and Stella" is a collection of sonnets written by Sir Philip Sidney, a renowned poet and courtier during the Elizabethan era. The sonnet sequence revolves around the theme of unfulfilled love experienced by a character named Astrophil, whose name symbolizes his infatuation with stars. He yearns for the affection of his beloved, called Stella, whose name also represents a star. It is believed that Sidney drew inspiration from his own personal experience of unrequited love for a married woman. This sequence of sonnets not only gained popularity during its time but also influenced other prominent sonnet writers of that period, including Edmund Spenser, William Shakespeare, and Lady Mary Wroth. The emotional depth and relatability of Sidney's work have made "Astrophil and Stella" a notable contribution to the world of poetry.