Medieval Literary Theory and Criticism, c.1100-c.1375 - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0198111983 ISBN 13: 9780198111986

Publisher: Clarendon Press, 1988

Synopsis

This anthology of texts in translation covers one of the most important branches of medieval literary theory and criticism, the commentary-tradition, in one of the most significant periods of its development. The majority of the texts are here translated for the first time. They offer discussion of such topics as fiction and fable (in classical poetry and in the Bible); the ethical effects and purpose of literature; authorship and authority; the function of biography in literary interpretation; stylistic and didactic modes of writing; literary form and structure; allegory and literal-historical sense; symbolism; imagination and imagery; the moralization of classical texts; the status of poetry within the hierarchy of the human arts and sciences; and the prestige and purpose of vernacular literature. The editors have attempted to be representative, illustrating the continuities and the new developments, the typical and the exceptional, the well-known and the relatively obscure. The selections are fully annotated, and provided with introductions which form a linked series of essays towards the history of medieval literary theory and criticism.

About this title

Review

`Superbly executed, this is an extremely impressive and important book for medievalists, literary critics, theorists and cultural historians alike. It will be a standard work for a long time.' Times Higher Education Supplement

About the Author

A. J. Minnis is at University of York. A. B. Scott is at Queen's University, Belfast. David Wallace is at University of Minnesota.

Edition details

• Publisher: Clarendon Press
• Publication date: 1988
• ISBN 10: 0198111983
• ISBN 13: 9780198111986
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 560
• Editor: Minnis Alastair J., Etc., Scott A.B., Wallace David