Modules

Ancient Literary Criticism (CLA3042)

30 credits

This module provides an introduction to the study of literary criticism in antiquity which encourages you to reflect on the nature of literature in general. The ancient critics studied include Homer, Hesiod, Theognis, Pindar, Gorgias, Aristophanes, Plato, Aristotle, Longinus, Callimachus, Cicero, Horace, Seneca the Younger, Quintilian, Plutarch and others. You will cover all the major themes and topics of ancient criticism, including mimesis, truth and falsehood, poetic inspiration, the social function of poetry, the figure of the poet, theories of style, allegorical readings of literature, theories of unity, rhetoric, genre and taste, and the role of literature in education.