1. BBL 3103 LITERARY THEORY FROM PLATO TO T. S. ELIOT
DR. IDA BAIZURA BAHAR

2. 03 Overview: Literary criticism History
i. Hellenic
In 4 & 5 BC, Athens was a centre of literary activity
Plato and Aristotle were the first to formulate theories on art and literature
ii. Hellenistic
New centres of culture displace Athens
Imitative literary production
iii. Graeco-Roman
Rise of Roman empire
Aimed at originality, but ultimately imitative
Neoclassical

3. 03 Overview: Literary criticism History
iv. Medieval/Middle/Dark Ages
Rise of Christianity
Greek and Roman literature and culture became pagan
Literary activity was focused on theology
v. Renaissance
Shackles of medievalism broken
Conscious effort to revive glory of ancient Greece
Texts translated into vernacular

4. 03 Overview: Literary criticism History
vi. Neoclassical
Aristotle’s descriptive tenets of poetry become fully prescriptive
vii. Romantic
Emphasis on individuality, subjectivity, passion, inspiration

5. 03 Overview: Literary criticism History
viii. Victorian
Reaction against Romanticism, aimed to be more detached
Criticism rises in significance
ix. Modern Age
No overriding trend; criticism is complex and varied
Of late, however, there is a leaning towards sociological criticism in academia