Tendencies In Renaissance Literary Theory

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ++++ The below data was compiled from various identification fields in the bibliographic record of this title. This data is provided as an additional tool in helping to ensure edition identification: ++++ Tendencies In Renaissance Literary Theory reprint Basil Willey Bowes & Bowes, 1922 History; Renaissance; History / Renaissance; Literary Criticism / Semiotics & Theory

Why was literature so often defended and defined in early modern England in terms of its ability to provide the Horatian ideal of both profit and pleasure? This book, first published in 2000, analyses Renaissance literary theory in the context of social transformations of the period, focusing on conflicting ideas about gentility that emerged as the English aristocracy evolved from a feudal warrior class to a civil elite. Through close readings centered on works by Thomas Elyot, Philip Sidney and Edmund Spenser, Matz argues that literature attempted to mediate a complex set of contradictory social expectations. His original study engages with important theoretical work such as Pierre Bourdieu's and offers a substantial critique of New Historicist theory. It challenges recent accounts of the power of Renaissance authorship, emphasizing the uncertain status of literature during this time of cultural change, and sheds light on why and how canonical works became canonical.

Interprets the rhetoric and poetry of the Renaissance afresh from typical theory and practice as the first step toward interpreting those traditions of criticism which were most influential in the middle ages.

'Well-conceived and well-tuned anthology... informative introduction... this book will become an indispensable source for scholars, theoreticians of literature, university professors, writers, and nonacademic readers for as long as our interest in Renaissance studies continues.' -In-between, Essays andamp; Studies in Literary Criticism'He [Vickers] illuminates the classical background to his texts with particular clarity... This richly rewarding collection is a worthy successor to the classic anthologies of Gregory Smith and J. E. Spingarn.' -English Studies'Vickers's splendid, fifty-five page introduction puts his selection in context, tracing its application of the dazzling variety of classical rhetoric. This must be one of the most pithily compressed accounts ever attempted of criticism as applied to rhetoric.' -Alastair Fowler, Times Literary Supplement'Vickers's Notes are a model of pertinence and economy. They not only adduce a wide variety of ancient sources, but ascribe these discriminatingly, in accordance with modern scholarship.' -Alastair Fowler, Times Literary Supplement'This excellent anthology can be recommended with very few reservations. Let us hope it will be followed by a second volume continuing the selection into the seventeenth century.' -Alastair Fowler, Times Literary Supplement'English Renaissance Literary Criticism may well become the standard reference collection... the greatest coup is John Ford's elegy on John Fletcher, discovered by the late Jeremy Maule and printed here for the first time.' -Alastair Fowler, Times Literary SupplementThis is the first comprehensive collection of English Renaissance literary criticism to appear for nearly a century. In his wide-ranging introduction the editor shows that English critics in the period 1520 to 1650 owed most to classical writers on rhetoric and poetics: Cicero, Horace, Quintilian, Plutarch. All selections are annotated, identifying classical and other sources, and giving translations for Greek, Latin, and Italian texts. A section is devoted to Further Reading, and an extensive glossary is provided for archaic and technical words.