ABSTRACT
Considers the traditional role of literary criticism in which philosophy explains a literary work and confers philosophical meaning. The critics chosen for this chapter come from the ancient world. Plato is the first writer brought out, and his approach is set out and briefly explored. Next is Aristotle and a reading of some of the key arguments from the Poetics tied generally to his overall philosophy. Horace is then put forth as a balancing agent between pleasure and instruction. Finally, Longinus is brought forward to further examine imitation and the artist as genius.
