History of literary criticism

The history of criticism and theories.

1. MICHAEL JOB COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCE FOR WOMEN DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH HISTORY OF LITERARY CRITICISM

2. HISTORY OF LITERARY CRITICISM Literary criticism is the study, evaluation and interpretation of literature. The classical philosophers like Aristotle and Plato developed a philosophical based theories for poetry. In 4th century BC, Aristotle wrote his POETICS. In this he developed the theory of MIMESIS and CATHARSIS which are still crucial in literature. Medieval period focuses on religious texts.

3. HISTORY OF LITERARY CRITICISM Renaissance criticism developed classic’s unity of form and content, neoclassicism which define literature reflects the culture. Lodovico castelvetro was the famous critic of Renaissance. Then came the Enlightenment period(1700-1800), the literary criticism became popular. Romantic criticism, introduced new aesthetic ideas to literary studies. The New Criticism entirely took a new direction in which close reading of text ,discussion on author intention and readers response are consider.

4. HISTORY OF LITERARY CRITICISM Theories The theories and criticism are tied together in the history of literature. Ferdinand de saussure, the pioneer of English language criticism, a structuralist. B iographical criticism , New Criticism , formalism , Russian formalism , and structuralism , post-structuralism , Marxism , feminism and French feminism , post-colonialism , new historicism , deconstruction , reader-response criticism , and psychoanalytic criticism.

5. Sir Philip Sidney (30 NOV 1554-17 OCT 1586) was great poet of the Elizabethan court. Sidney penned several major works of the Elizabethan era, including Astrophel and Stella, the first Elizabethan sonnet cycle, and Arcadia, a heroic prose romance. He was also known for his literary criticism, known as The Defense of Poesy. The Defense of Poesy or An Apology of poetry was considered as the first literary paper. It was written in 1585 and was published after his death in 1595.

6. Sidney’s An Apology for Poetry An Apology for Poetry deals with two sections: Poetry is of divine origin. There is a social utility for poetry. Poetry ca teach as well as it delights. It can surpass the virtues of history and philosophy.

7. Sidney’s An Apology for Poetry The second section deals with the reply given by Sidney for the four argument given by Stephen Gosson in his ‘The School of Abuse’. Four arguments against Poetry: Poetry is the mother of lies. Poetry is unprofitable. Poetry leads to sin. Plato kick the poets from his republic.

8. Sidney’s An Apology for Poetry Sidney’s Reply: Poetry does not affirm anything as truth. Poet never lies. Poetry is the most fruitful of all knowledge and it has power to teach and delight and also move its readers to virtuous action. Poetry in itself a noble thing and it cannot do any moral corruption. Plato himself a poet. To conclude Sidney defend poetry in all aspects. For him poetry is a divine thing which delight and teach the society in moral way.

9. "Poetry, a speaking picture to teach and delight." ~ Philip Sidney