Critical Approaches to Shakespeare

Critical Approaches to Shakespeare

1. Unit 1. From Ben Jonson (1572-1637) to Cleanth Brooks

   • 17th Century Neoclassical criticism
     • Ben Jonson
       • Defines Shakespeare as a poet not of an age, but for all ages His virtues surpassed his vices Uses terms such as Nature and fancy
     • John Dryden
       • Of Dramatick Poesie 1668 Set the basis for the main critical positions during 18th century Considers language used inferior to the one of his time
     • Thomas Rymer
       • Short VIew of Tragedy 1693: Attack on Shakespeare's writings
   • The Early 19th c.: The Romantics
     • Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1771-1834)
       • Lectures and Notes about Shakespeare. 1818
         • Reverence to Shakespeare's works Unity of feeling
   • Late 19th c.: The Victorians
     • Edward Dowden (1843-1913)
       • Shakespeare: A Critical Study of his Mind and Art (1875)
         • First study of Shakespeare artistic evolution as a writer. Biographical touch
     • A. C. Bradley (1851-1935)
       • Shakespearean Tragedy. 1904
         • Scientific interest in psychology. Applies psychological realism.
   • First Half of the 20th c.
     • Emphasis on poetry and language
       • George Wilson Knight (1897- 1985)
       • Caroline Spurgeon (1886-1942)
       • Wolfgang Clemen (1909-1990)
     • The play as a theatrical Artifice
       • Harley Granville - Barker
       • Muriel C. Bradbrook
     • The Historical Approach
       • Hardin Craig
       • Spencer
       • Tillyard
     • New Criticism
       • Cleanth Brooks (1906-1994)