Classical Literary Criticism Lecture II Classical Literary Criticism Dr. Gehan M Anwar Deeb Lecturer of English Literature & Translation

Objectives of Lecture 2: Defining the terms ‘classics, classical and classicism’, Describing the cultural and political background in ancient Greece, Summarizing the main characteristics of classical literature, and Mentioning the first literary critics in Greek and Roman civilizations and their masterpieces.

Classics Today we consider old movies and songs as classics; they are sung, watched and enjoyed for ever.

Classical- referring to the art and culture of ancient Greece and Rome.

Ancient Greece Homer was the author of the great epic The Illiad

Classicism The classical style is characterized by formality and coldness.

Question: What are the main characteristics of classical literature? (Summarize them) Relevant to all ages. Universal appeal. Regularity of form/ formality and coldness. Correct structure, careful finish with no excess. Identical with Idealism. Expressing the inner truth without details. intellectual but without excluding emotion.

Classicism

Classical Works Plato and Aristotle were the great masters of the classical criticism.

Classical Literary Theories Literary Theory: different lenses critics use to view and talk about certain ideas of art, literature, and even culture. These different lenses allow critics to focus on particular aspects of a work. Examples: If a critic is working with certain Marxist theories, s/he might focus on how the characters in a story interact based on their economic situation. If a critic is working with post-colonial theories, s/he might consider the same story but look at how characters from colonial powers (Britain, France, and even America) treat characters from, say, Africa or the Caribbean.