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Abstract

This dissertation argues that there is clear evidence of alchemical influence in The Sidney Psalter (1599). It will demonstrate the relationship between alchemy, language and translation, and identify underlying alchemical discourse within Elizabeth I’s court. The first chapter places the act of translation as an alchemical transformation. Through analysis of the supplementary poems to The Sidney Psalter, it identifies that Mary Sidney viewed her translation as a transmutation from the Geneva Bible as the essence of the Psalms remains, and it is only the outward form that changes. This chapter grounds the following chapters as it exemplifies the relationship between alchemy and The Sidney Psalter. The second chapter argues that Mary Sidney’s introduction of pearls evokes the alchemical pursuit for spiritual purity. The third chapter maintains that Mary Sidney used her translation to elevate gold from a show of material wealth to a sign of spiritual purity through the inferred alchemical language. Throughout its chapters, this dissertation identifies similarities between the alchemical images and ideologies introduced by Mary Sidney, and works by other courtiers such as her brother, Philip Sidney alongside John Donne, George Herbert, Andrew Marvell and William Shakespeare. These similarities, this dissertation further states, exhibit alchemical discourse in the Elizabethan court. Moreover, it expresses alchemical knowledge from Elizabeth I herself, as to understand the alchemical compliments Mary Sidney added to her translation, Elizabeth 1 had to have alchemical knowledge of her own. The purpose of The Sidney Psalter was to attempt to sway Elizabeth I to the Protestant view, and this dissertation does not maintain otherwise, concluding that the alchemical imagery and language used by Mary Sidney assists in the pursuit to gain Elizabeth I’s favour.

Course: English Literature - BA (Hons) - C0995

Date Deposited: 2021-03-11

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis13675.html