A history of criticism and literary taste in Europe, from the earliest texts to the present day. Volume 1 (of 3), Classical and mediæval criticism

This volume offers a sweeping survey of how Europeans have judged literature from the earliest writings through the medieval era. Drawing on the great classical theorists and the voices of medieval scholars, it maps the evolving standards of taste, the shifting ideals of rhetoric, and the debates that shaped the canon. Readers travel from Aristotle’s Poetics to the scholastic commentaries that followed, seeing how each generation re‑interpreted the rules of beauty and authority.

The author’s method is both scholarly and accessible, weaving together quotations, translations, and concise explanations without overwhelming the listener. Helpful indexing of names, works, and technical terms lets the curious dig deeper, while the narrative stays clear enough for those less familiar with ancient languages. It serves as a solid foundation for anyone interested in the roots of literary criticism, setting the stage for later periods that will be explored in the subsequent volumes.