Which of the following statements about Sidney's The Defence of Poesy are NOT true?

1. A. It was published posthumously in 1595.
2. B. It is also titled An Apology for Poetry.
3. C. Sidney criticises Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde and Spenser's The Shepheardes Calender.
4. D. It is among the first major works of literary criticism in English.
5. E. It defends Plato's banishment of poets from the Republic.

1. A(A) and (B) only
2. B(B) and (C) only
3. C(C) and (D) only
4. D(C) and (E) only

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Correct answer: D. (C) and (E) only

Explanation

Sidney praises Chaucer ('excellently in his Troilus') and calls the Calender 'much poetry'. He answers Plato and Gosson — the poet 'nothing affirms, and therefore never lieth' — instead of defending the banishment.