Critical Reading in a Modern World

Critical Reading in a Modern World

• Critical reading is more important than ever, especially given events like September 11, 2001.
• Misunderstanding and inadequate education create significant dangers.
• Understanding diverse perspectives (across languages and cultures) is crucial to understanding our own present.
• Critical examination of our past is essential to interpreting our present.
• We need to critically examine various documents/cultural, political, and religious documents to understand our identity.

Methodology of the Book

• The book uses five core principles to overcome the difficulties of modern literary criticism.
• These principles include connecting literary history with broader Western thought.
• The methodology includes a historical context for understanding literary criticism.
• This example includes examining the writings of Plato and Kant.

Ancient Greek Criticism

• The English word "criticism" comes from the ancient Greek word krites, meaning "judge."
• Early Greek criticism was involved in the act of poetic creation itself, involving judgement about themes and techniques.
• In Ancient Greece, the "rhapsode" was a professional singer involved in the process of self-assessment, reflection and judgment of the creative act.
• The study of criticism goes back to the epic Greek poets Homer and Hesiod and the lyric poets.
• Literary criticism began around 800 years before the birth of Christ. This era included epic poets and lyric poets.

Athenian Literary Criticism

• Literary criticism in ancient Athens was linked to dramatic festivals that were organized as competitions, judging the best drama.
• The play The Frogs by Aristophanes demonstrates a literary critical discussion in ancient Greece.
• The play The Frogs discusses differences of opinion between two prominent playwrights—Aeschylus and Euripides – during a time of political division.
• Citizens were expected to understand allusions to previous works.
• Literary criticism was often used to entertain and educate, as well as to discuss politics.

The Nature and Functions of Poetry

• Ancient Greeks saw poetry as a fundamental element in education and civic responsibility.
• Poetry was connected to morality, religion, and the entire sphere of civic responsibility.
• Poetry provided a forum for the discussion of wider issues.
• The Greek concept of "mimesis"—imitation—and its connection to truth and goodness influenced literary criticism.
• The "canon"—an important body of literary works—was developed in the Hellenistic period.

Explore the significance of critical reading in today's context, especially in understanding cultural and historical perspectives. This quiz delves into essential principles of literary criticism and how they relate to our identity through various documents. Gain insights into the connection between literature and broader Western thought.