REVISITING THE MARGINS OF LITERARY CRITICISM: MEDUSA REPLICATED

Abstract

Literary criticism’s deep-rooted history, effortlessly traceable back to Plato, might be challenging to grasp without comparing the historical sequence of distinctive periods along with frequently shifting or diversifying perspectives. Several scholarly studies tend to elaborate on the distinct historical periods, aiming to conduct in-depth analyses for literary criticism. This practical albeit conventional approach carries the potential risk of overlooking the idea of revisiting earlier critical accounts to unveil novel insights. A classical understanding of historiography can also complicate the interconnection and flow of the various movements of literary criticism’s already broad history. As such, this particular research aims to revisit seminal representatives of the literary criticism throughout various epochs, constructing a chronological and intersecting narrative in a progressive sequence. The narrative originating from the artwork titled “The Raft of the Medusa” shall serve as the foundational basis for this research to further explore the interconnection existing between literary criticism and visual representations. This paper intends to narrate the historical journey of literary criticism by following the footsteps of several prominent figures and analysing the ways in which they intersect or conflict; while remaining committed to the chronological sequence of literary criticism. The fact that the article provides a discourse of that nature serves a consequential introduction to the history of literary criticism.