UEL 5502-Literary criticism: Classical to Modern-Question bank 

2 Marks: 
1. What classical values do the neoclassical writers imbibe? 
Neoclassical writer’s works basically speaks about the ancient time of Greece and
Rome, which invokes harmony, clarity, restraint, universality and idealism which is
direct opposition to the renaissance attitudes.

2. What does Matthew Arnold say that “the strongest part of our religion today
is its unconscious poetry”? 
Arnold essay “study of poetry” is a classic in English criticism in his essay he
explains that the poem was immense and immortal because poetry attaches
emotions to the idea the ideas was so called fact. The strongest part of our
religion today is its unconscious poetry, as the foundation of religion have
come to be shaken, and poetry only alone withstand to provide self assurance
and nourishment to man kind

3. What is T.S. Eliot’s view on tradition? 

Eliot states that tradition was associated with historical sense which interpret past is
not something lost and insignificant according to him the tradition is a living culture
which is inherited from the past however the tradition is always being alters and
modifies by the present

4. What, according to IA Richards, are two basic things that a critic should look for?

5. What are the criteria that should be excluded in criticism, as stated in “Criticism,
Inc.”?

6. State Plato’s Theory of forms?

Plato's Theory of Forms asserts that the physical world is not really the 'real'
world; instead, ultimate reality exists beyond our physical world. ... The Forms
are abstract, perfect, unchanging concepts or ideals that transcend time and
space; they exist in the Realm of Forms 

7. Define mimesis and catharsis. 

Catharsis referred as purgation of emotions especially (pity and fear) in art also
Aristotle states that the purpose of tragedy is to arouse “terror and pity” and
thereby affect the catharsis of these emotions. Mimesis describes the process of
imitation or mimicry through which artists portray and interpret the world.
Mimesis is not a literary device or technique, but rather a way of thinking about a
work of art

8. Mention the three unities proposed by Aristotle. 

The dramatic unities are three: the unity of Action, the unity of Time, and the unity of
Place
9. What is sublimity? 
 In his theory sublime means height or elevation Longinus defines the literary sublime as
"excellence in language", the "expression of a great spirit" and the power to provoke "ecstasy"
in one's readers

10. What are the five sources of sublimity? 

The principal sources of the Sublime are—(1) grandeur of thought; (2) capacity for
strong emotion; (3) appropriate use of figures of speech; (4) Nobility of diction, and (5)
dignity of composition or a happy blend of the preceding four elements.

11. According to Horace, what is the function of poetry? 

A poet can achieve immortality or fulfill his purpose of writing if he can synthesize these
elements of improving and pleasing. The meaning of the above dictum is simple—the
function of poetry is to please or entertain and improve or teach (morality), the first is
primary and later secondary.

12. What is Thomas More’s view on tragedy and comedy? 

13. Mention any three suggestions given by George Gascoigne in Certayne notes of
instruction. 
14. What are the allegations levelled against poetry by Stephen Gosson? 
15. Explain Ben Jonson’s Theory of comedy of humour.