Must-Prepare Topics for Criticism


THE POETICS (335 BC) by ARISTOTLE (384 BC-322 BC)


1.    Concept Of Tragedy
2.    Ideal Tragic Hero/ Concept Of Hamartia
3.    The Plot Of A Tragedy
4.    Theory Of Imitation
5.    The Function Of Tragedy/ Its Emotional Effects/ Catharsis
6.     The Three Unities

THE PREFACE TO SHAKESPEARE (1765) by DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON (1709-1784)


1.    Brief Synopsis Of The Preface To Shakespeare
2.    The Unities
3.    Didactic Approach
4.    Justification Of Tragi-Comedy
5.    Appreciation Of Shakespeare�s Merits
6.    Faults Of Shakespeare

PREFACE TO LYRICAL BALLADS (1800) by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH (1770-1850)


1.    Historical Significance Of �The Preface To The Lyrical Ballads�
2.    Theory Of Poetry
3.    Theory Of Poetic Process
4.    Themes And Treatment Of Poetry
5.    Poetic Diction
6.    Qualification And Nature Of A Poet
7.    Views On Metre

BIOGRAPHIA LITERARIA (1817) by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE (1772-1834)


1.    Theory Of Imagination
2.    Difference Between Imagination And Fancy
3.    Willing Suspension Of Disbelief
4.    Views On Metre
5.    Nature And Function Of Poetry
6.    Criticism Of Wordsworth�s Theory Of Poetic Diction
7.    Coleridge As A Critic

        THE FUNCTION OF CRITICISM (1865), THE STUDY OF POETRY (1880) by MATHEW ARNOLD (1822-1888)


                  1.    Theory Of Poetry
2.    Three Estimates Of Poetry
3.    The Function Of Criticism
4.    Qualification Of A Critic
5.    A General Estimate Of Arnold As A Critic

TRADITION AND INDIVIDUAL TALENT (1919), HAMLET (1920), 

THE METAPHYSICAL POETS (1921) by T. S. ELIOT (1888-1965)

         1.    Theory Of Traditions
2.    Function / Role Of Poetry
3.    Views On The Nature Of Poetic Process / Theory Of Impersonality
4.    Objective Correlative
5.    Views On Shakespeare�s Hamlet
6.    Views On The Metaphysical Poets
7.    Eliot As A Critic

THE WELL WROUGHT URN by CLEANTH BROOKS (1906-1994)


1.    Wordsworth And The Paradox Of Imagination
2.     Keats� Sylvan Historian
3.     Yeats� Great Rooted Blossomer

Critical evaluation of any piece of literature will also be given for 20 marks. The Students are required to practice some well-known poems and passages regarding the theme, subject, figures of speech, musical devices etc.

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