J. W. H. Atkins on Literary Criticism – serie

Originally published between 1934 and 1952 these volumes are classics in the field of literary criticism. Their author was a respected scholar whose ability to survey a vast field of literature and criticism and explain and un-tangle it to students was well-known. The volumes: Analyze styles of literary criticism prevalent in ancient Greece and after the rise of the Roman Empire Illustrates the first phases of the growth of a tradition of criticism Review the critical achievement at the Renaissance Discuss the theories and judgments of various critics and their bearing on literary appreciation between the Renaissance and the dawn of 19th Century Romanticism.

In England literary consciousness had its beginning in the middle ages, and this book, originally published in 1943, describes and illustrates the first phases of the growth of a tradition of criticism. It does not confine itself to writers whose interest was in the vernacular, for there was a larger European movement of which English criticism was a part. It embodied much of the ancient teaching, but it shows recurring efforts to arrive at the nature and art of poetry; it provides a key to contemporary literature and is of great help in understanding what really happened at the 16th Century Renaissance.

In England literary consciousness had its beginning in the middle ages, and this book, originally published in 1943, describes and illustrates the first phases of the growth of a tradition of criticism. It does not confine itself to writers whose interest was in the vernacular, for there was a larger European movement of which English criticism was a part. It embodied much of the ancient teaching, but it shows recurring efforts to arrive at the nature and art of poetry; it provides a key to contemporary literature and is of great help in understanding what really happened at the 16th Century Renaissance.

Originally published in 1947, this volume reviews the critical achievement at the Renaissance. It discusses the ideas of literature then current in England, as revealed in contemporary theorizing and judgments. The period has sometimes been dismissed as lacking great critics, and the critical works themselves have been described as elementary and remote, but, as this work shows, viewed in the light of what came before and after, those texts will be found to be of considerable interest and possess intrinsic and historical value. This book charts the course of the movement and the main findings and their significance in critical history. There is an emphasis to show the part payed by the medieval tradition, with its inheritance of post-classical and patristic doctrine; the lead given by 15th Century Italian and other Humanists and the no less important attempts of independent native writers to work out new artistic and dramatic theory of their own.

Originally published in 1947, this volume reviews the critical achievement at the Renaissance. It discusses the ideas of literature then current in England, as revealed in contemporary theorizing and judgments. The period has sometimes been dismissed as lacking great critics, and the critical works themselves have been described as elementary and remote, but, as this work shows, viewed in the light of what came before and after, those texts will be found to be of considerable interest and possess intrinsic and historical value. This book charts the course of the movement and the main findings and their significance in critical history. There is an emphasis to show the part payed by the medieval tradition, with its inheritance of post-classical and patristic doctrine; the lead given by 15th Century Italian and other Humanists and the no less important attempts of independent native writers to work out new artistic and dramatic theory of their own.

Originally published in 1951, this volume covers the transition period between the years of Renaissance influence and the dawn of 19th Century Romanticism. The book analyses the theories and judgments of various critics and their bearing on literary appreciation. The opening chapter concentrates on the account of French doctrines of the 17th Century which is essential as the necessary background of English critical activities for the best part of two centuries. Later chapters discuss the main lines of the development and the more significant critics.

Originally published in 1951, this volume covers the transition period between the years of Renaissance influence and the dawn of 19th Century Romanticism. The book analyses the theories and judgments of various critics and their bearing on literary appreciation. The opening chapter concentrates on the account of French doctrines of the 17th Century which is essential as the necessary background of English critical activities for the best part of two centuries. Later chapters discuss the main lines of the development and the more significant critics.

Originally published in 1934, this book contains the first volume of Atkins' 'sketch' of the development of ancient literary criticism. Atkins begins his history with a look at the styles of literary criticism prevalent in ancient Greece, and includes the responses of figures such as Aristophanes, Plato and Callimachus to changes in the literature of their day. This work is aimed primarily at those with little to no classical background and will be of value to anyone with an interest in literary criticism.

Originally published in 1934, this book contains the first volume of Atkins' 'sketch' of the development of ancient literary criticism. Atkins begins his history with a look at the styles of literary criticism prevalent in ancient Greece, and includes the responses of figures such as Aristophanes, Plato and Callimachus to changes in the literature of their day. This work is aimed primarily at those with little to no classical background and will be of value to anyone with an interest in literary criticism.

Originally published in 1934, this book contains the second volume of Atkins' 'sketch' of the development of ancient literary criticism. Atkins concludes his history with a look at the styles of literary criticism prevalent after the rise of the Roman Empire, and includes the responses of figures such as Cicero, Tacitus and Lucian to changes in the literature of their day.