Renaissance Literary Criticism

Development of Literary Criticism during the Renaissance

(1) Meaning and Importance of the Renaissance

The Renaissance means “rebirth.” It refers to the revival of classical learning and culture after the Middle Ages. It began in Italy in the fourteenth century and slowly spread to France, Germany, and England. In literary criticism, the Renaissance brought a big change. Earlier, criticism depended mainly on religion and philosophy. During the Renaissance, criticism became an independent subject. Scholars studied classical texts again and tried to understand the real nature and purpose of literature. This period laid the foundation of modern literary criticism.

(2) Shift from Medieval to Renaissance Thought

In the Middle Ages, literature was judged mainly on religious and moral grounds. Poetry was often connected with theology. Critics depended on church authority and traditional beliefs. During the Renaissance, this thinking changed. People started trusting reason, observation, and human judgment. Literature began to be judged by artistic and aesthetic standards, not only by moral teaching.

(3) Revival of Classical Learning and Humanism

The rediscovery of Greek and Roman writers like Plato, Aristotle, Horace, and Longinus played an important role in the development of criticism. Italian scholars like Petrarch and Boccaccio studied and explained classical works again. Humanism became the central idea of the age. Humanism focused on man, his emotions, imagination, reason, and dignity. Literature was now seen as an expression of human life and creativity.

(4) Role of Printing and Spread of Ideas

The invention of printing helped books spread quickly across Europe. Classical works became easily available. Scholars could read and compare different texts. This helped in the growth of systematic and comparative criticism and created a shared intellectual culture in Europe.

(5) Defence of Poetry: Answer to Plato

Renaissance critics also answered Plato’s attack on poetry in The Republic. Plato had said that poets mislead people. Renaissance critics argued that poetry itself is not harmful. Only bad poets misuse it. They defended poetry by saying:

1. Poetry teaches moral lessons.

2. It gives pleasure and delight.

3. It improves emotions and develops imagination.

Thus, poetry was accepted as an important and valuable art form.

(6) Reconciliation of Aristotle and Horace

Renaissance critics tried to combine the ideas of Aristotle and Horace. Aristotle gave theoretical principles about literature. Horace said poetry should teach and delight. Renaissance critics brought these ideas together. They balanced rules and pleasure, theory and practice. This combination later influenced Neo-classical criticism.

(7) Development of Renaissance Criticism in England

English Renaissance criticism was influenced by Italy and France. It developed in different stages:

1. Rhetorical Stage – Focused on style and language (Thomas Wilson, Roger Ascham).

2. Metrical Stage – Studied metre and poetic forms; Italian forms influenced English poetry (Puttenham).

3. Philosophical or Apologetic Stage – Defended poetry, especially in Sidney’s Apologie for Poetry.

4. Jonsonian Stage – Ben Jonson stressed classical rules and discipline in writing.

5. French Influence – Led to Neo-classicism; John Dryden emphasized order, imitation of nature, and national standards.

(8) Summing Up

The Renaissance made literary criticism an independent and systematic subject. It was based on humanism, reason, and classical ideas. It prepared the way for the Enlightenment and later critical movements. Its belief in human dignity, artistic standards, and rational thinking still influences literary studies today. Therefore, the Renaissance is a turning point in the history of literary criticism.