Sidney's Renaissance romance offers a surprisingly astute analysis of statesmanship and erotic passion. King Basilius misinterprets an oracle and retreats to a country house. There he pursues a cross-dressed Amazon whom his wife also desires. Musidorus and Pyrocles in disguise woo the royal princesses Pamela and Philoclea, recounting their attempts to bring justice and stability to foreign countries. The king's envious sister-in-law stirs up dissensions and adds to the misery of her love-sick son. Sidney himself was a courtier and close observer of Queen Elizabeth I. His father was three...

Sidney's Renaissance romance offers a surprisingly astute analysis of statesmanship and erotic passion. King Basilius misinterprets an oracle and retreats to a country house. There he pursues a cross-dressed Amazon whom his wife also desires. Musidorus and Pyrocles in disguise woo the royal princesses Pamela and Philoclea, recounting their attempts to bring justice and stability to foreign countries. The king's envious sister-in-law stirs up dissensions and adds to the misery of her love-sick son. Sidney himself was a courtier and close observer of Queen Elizabeth I. His father was three...