Sidney's view on rhyme expressed in "An Apology for Poetry".

    Sidney's "An Apology for Poetry" is one of the best introduction to Renaissance literature where he gives his critical idea about the importance of rhyming and versification in poetry.

    According to Sidney, rhyme is not the essence of poetry, and poetry is not mere rhyming and versification. It is used to polish and sharpen the speech. Rhyme regulates verbal harmony,  imparts order and proportion; moreover it adds a sensuous and emotional quality to poetry and also is an aid to memory.

    So it was not rhyming and versing that matters more, they were like ornaments, like garbs to beautify a body and a soul of its own, and also have a rich imagination and power to appeal. It must have good, noble and lofty subject, suitable style and language. Poetry must be able to 'teach and delight'. Poetry is full of virtue; it has,a divine origin, prophetic nature, cultural value, universal appeal and elevating power and alluring methods.

    In order to prove his point, Sidney here uses certain examples of "excellent poets that never versified" like Xenophon, and Helidorus and "now swarm many versifiers that need never answer to the name of poets." Helidorus wrote in prose, but made a poetic picture of love of Theagenes and Chariclea. These examples go to prove that "it is not rhyming and versing that maketh a poet.... but it is the feigning notable images of virtues vices..... with that delightful teaching which must be the right describing note to know a poet by."

    There are many criticisms against Sidney's view on rhyme. W. P. Ker in his "Form & Style in Poetry " says, "The form of verse is not separable from the soul of poetry, and poetry has neither kernel, nor husk, but it is all alone." A. E. Houseman also says, "Poetry is not the thing said, but a way of saying it." Here he also    emphasizes on the decorations of poetry, not on the meaning of it.