A history of criticism and literary taste in Europe from the earliest texts to the present day. Volume 2 (of 3), From the Renaissance to the decline of eighteenth century orthodoxy

A sweeping survey of European literary criticism, this volume traces the evolution of taste from the Renaissance through the waning of eighteenth‑century orthodoxy. It follows the shifting currents of thought across England, France, Germany and Italy, showing how ideas traveled and transformed as they moved between borders. The narrative is anchored in the rich tapestry of texts, essays and debates that shaped the era’s cultural conversation.

The author argues forcefully that English criticism, though later in emergence, produced figures of lasting influence—Dry Dunn, Johnson, Coleridge and Hazlitt—who stand shoulder‑to‑shoulder with their continental counterparts. By juxtaposing the “neo‑classic” traditions of Boileau and La Harpe with Dryden and Johnson, the book reveals a shared set of ideals rather than a simple hierarchy of superiority. Readers will appreciate the nuanced reassessment of long‑held assumptions about national literary genius.

Presented with meticulous notes and linked references, the work balances scholarly depth with an engaging, conversational tone, making it an inviting listen for anyone curious about how criticism itself has shaped the literature we love.