In this paper, the development of literary criticism from Ancient Greece to the British Period will be examined. The periods will be considered in light of the perspectives and works of major philosophers and critics towards literary criticism. Literary criticism is a disciplined activity that attempts to describe, study, analyse, justify, interpret, and evaluate a work of art. It is argued that formal literary criticism has begun after the evaluation of Aristophanes' play "The Frogs" in Ancient Greece in the 400s BC.
This situation is not accidental, because the Greeks of the period are a nation that is hand in glove with the philosophy that puts thinking at the centre. The concept of thinking in Ancient Greece does not lose its vitality in any artistic activity, neither written nor visual, due to their curiosity and desire for knowledge. As a result, it is inevitable that world-famous philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle are growing up in Ancient Greece.
Literary criticism has taken its place in the literature of almost all nations for centuries since the 5th century BC and still, it continues to develop. This criticism culture ongoing from the past has been one of the main factors in the shaping of English Literature to this day.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to Ancient Greek Criticism
2. Roman Criticism: Horace and Longinus
3. Neoplatonism and the Role of Plotinus
4. Late Middle Ages and Medieval Humanism
5. Early Modern Literary Criticism
6. Neoclassical Literary Criticism
7. The Age of Enlightenment and Reason
Research Objectives and Topics
The primary objective of this article is to examine the historical development of literary criticism, tracing its evolution from its roots in Ancient Greece through the British Romantic Period. By analyzing the perspectives and influential works of major philosophers and critics, the study explores how these foundational ideas have shaped the trajectory of Western literature and contemporary critical theory.
- The role of Plato and Aristotle in establishing the foundations of literary criticism.
- The transition and adaptation of critical concepts in Roman, Medieval, and Renaissance contexts.
- The emergence of Neoclassical standards and the debate between tradition and innovation.
- The impact of Enlightenment thought and the shift towards reader-oriented criticism.
- The influence of philosophical movements like Neoplatonism on the understanding of artistic imitation.
Excerpt from the Book
The Sprouting of Literary Criticism through Sages and Critics: From Ancient Greeks to Romantic Period
‘’Literary criticism is a disciplined activity that attempts to describe, study, analyze, justify, interpret and evaluate a work of art.’’ (Bressler 6) It is argued that formal literary criticism has begun after having been evaluated as "the best" of Aristophanes' play The Frogs in Ancient Greece in the 400s BC, especially according to the sources of Western philosophy. This situation is not accidental, because the Greeks of the period are a nation that is hand in glove with the philosophy that puts thinking at the centre. The concept of thinking in Ancient Greece does not lose its vitality in any artistic activity, neither written nor visual, due to their curiosity and desire for knowledge. As a result, it is inevitable that world-famous philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle are growing up in Ancient Greece. Literary criticism has developed by taking its place in the literature of almost all nations for centuries since the 5th century BC and still, it continues to develop. This criticism culture ongoing from the past has been one of the main factors in the shaping of English Literature. In this article, the development of literary criticism from Ancient Greece to the British Romantic Period will be attempted to examined by considering the periods in the light of the perspectives and works of major philosophers and critics towards literary criticism.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction to Ancient Greek Criticism: This chapter establishes the origins of literary thought, focusing on Plato's theory of imitation and Aristotle's defense of poetry in his Poetics.
2. Roman Criticism: Horace and Longinus: This section details how Roman thinkers refined classical concepts, with Horace emphasizing didactic pleasure and Longinus introducing the concept of the sublime.
3. Neoplatonism and the Role of Plotinus: This chapter explores Plotinus's contribution to literary theory through his mystical interpretation of Plato and the concept of 'the One'.
4. Late Middle Ages and Medieval Humanism: This section covers the shift toward the use of vernacular languages and allegorical interpretation, highlighted by the works of Dante and Boccaccio.
5. Early Modern Literary Criticism: This chapter examines the transition into the Renaissance, specifically focusing on Sir Philip Sidney’s defense of poetry against contemporary moral critiques.
6. Neoclassical Literary Criticism: This section analyzes the return to classical models in England, featuring the critical contributions of Dryden, Pope, and Johnson.
7. The Age of Enlightenment and Reason: This final chapter discusses the shift toward public enlightenment and reader-focused criticism as exemplified by Joseph Addison.
Keywords
Literary Criticism, Ancient Greece, Plato, Aristotle, Mimesis, Neoclassicism, Enlightenment, Poetry, Horace, Longinus, Plotinus, Dante, Sir Philip Sidney, John Dryden, Alexander Pope
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this article?
The article provides a chronological analysis of the evolution of Western literary criticism from its origins in Ancient Greece to the Romantic Period.
Which historical periods are covered in the text?
The text covers the Ancient Greek period, the Roman Empire, the Late Middle Ages, Medieval Humanism, the Early Modern period, the Neoclassical era, and the Age of Enlightenment.
What is the core research question?
The research explores how the development of literary criticism has shaped English literature by considering the perspectives of major philosophers and critics across different historical eras.
What scientific methodology is utilized?
The author employs a historical-chronological analysis, examining key primary sources and secondary critical literature to trace the progression of critical theory.
What does the main body of the work treat?
The main body treats the specific contributions of individual figures like Plato, Aristotle, Horace, Dante, and Dryden, and how their theories on imitation, rhetoric, and moral purpose evolved.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The work is best characterized by terms such as Literary Criticism, Mimesis, Neoclassicism, and the historical progression from Ancient Greek to Enlightenment thought.
How does Plato’s view of poetry influence later critics?
Plato’s initial skepticism and his theory of 'imitation of the imitation' set the stage for later thinkers like Aristotle and Sidney to develop defenses of poetry as a legitimate, didactic, and philosophical pursuit.
What role does the 'vernacular' play in Medieval literary criticism?
The shift to the vernacular, led by figures like Dante, was essential for making literature more accessible and "natural," moving away from the dominance of Latin.
Why is the concept of 'the sublime' significant in Longinus’s work?
Longinus uses the sublime to define the emotional and structural depth of literature, moving beyond mere rhetoric to reach the 'Soul', which foreshadowed later reader-oriented critical schools.
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- İsmail Şenerkek (Autor:in), 2020, Sprouting of Literary Criticism through Sages and Critics. From Ancient Greece to the Romantic Period, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/987499
