Inventing the Critic in Renaissance England

Inventing the Critic in Renaissance England, by William Russell, shows that English Renaissance critics actively invented their practice in response to social and intellectual factors, despite an uncertain position.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 264 pages
\n Publication date: 30 September 2020
\n Publisher: Associated University Presses
\n

The seventeenth century marked a pivotal era in the development of English criticism, as a group of pioneering writers, including Philip Sidney, George Puttenham, and Ben Jonson, laid the groundwork for critical discourse in the English language. These critics' ambivalent stance towards criticism, coupled with their constant fear of being misunderstood, marginalized, scapegoated, or labeled with the dignity of a critic, indicates that their position was uncertain during this time. In his groundbreaking book, Inventing the Critic in Renaissance England, William Russell discloses that these critics did not merely inherit their practice from Continental and classical sources but actively invented it in response to a complex interplay of social and intellectual factors.

Published by the University of Delaware Press and distributed worldwide by Rutgers University Press, Inventing the Critic in Renaissance England offers a comprehensive exploration of the critical landscape during the English Renaissance. Russell delves into the historical, social, and cultural contexts that shaped the development of criticism in this period, highlighting the ways in which writers and thinkers responded to the challenges and opportunities of their time.

One of the key themes of the book is the role of print culture in shaping the critical discourse of the English Renaissance. Russell argues that the rise of print technology and the widespread availability of printed materials facilitated the spread of ideas and the development of new forms of intellectual inquiry. The printing press, in particular, allowed for the dissemination of critical writings and the establishment of a broader audience for literary criticism.

At the same time, however, the emergence of print culture also brought about new challenges for critics. The proliferation of printed materials created a demand for a more standardized and systematic approach to criticism, as readers sought to navigate the vast array of literary works available to them. Critics, therefore, had to develop new methods and frameworks for analyzing and evaluating literature, in order to remain relevant and authoritative in their field.

Another important aspect of Inventing the Critic in Renaissance England is the role of patronage in shaping critical discourse. Russell explores the ways in which writers and thinkers were influenced by the patronage of powerful individuals and institutions, such as the royal court, noble families, and universities. Patronage played a significant role in determining which works were published, which writers were supported, and which critical ideas were disseminated.

Critics, in turn, had to navigate the complex relationships between patronage and their own critical practices. Some critics sought to align themselves with powerful patrons in order to gain access to resources and support, while others resisted the influence of patronage and sought to maintain their independence and integrity as critics. The tension between patronage and criticism was a constant theme in the critical discourse of the English Renaissance, and it contributed to the uncertainty and ambiguity of the critic's position during this period.

In addition to the historical and social factors that shaped critical discourse, Inventing the Critic in Renaissance England also examines the intellectual and philosophical foundations of criticism. Russell explores the ways in which writers and thinkers period sought to define and defend their critical practices, and the ways in which they responded to the challenges posed by new forms of knowledge and intellectual inquiry.

One of the key intellectual trends of the book is the concept of the "common reader." Russell argues that the English Renaissance was characterized by a growing emphasis on the idea of the "common reader," a term that refers to the broad audience of readers who were interested in literature and culture but who did not necessarily have a specialized or academic background. Critics, therefore, had to develop new methods and frameworks for analyzing and evaluating literature that were accessible and relevant to this broad audience, in order to remain relevant and authoritative in their field.

Another important intellectual trend of the book is the concept of the "art of criticism." Russell argues that the English Renaissance was characterized by a growing emphasis on the art of criticism, a term that refers to the skill and craft of writing and presenting critical ideas. Critics, therefore, had to develop new methods and frameworks for analyzing and evaluating literature that were not only accessible and relevant to the common reader but also aesthetically pleasing and engaging.

Inventing the Critic in Renaissance England is a groundbreaking work that offers a fresh and insightful perspective on the development of English criticism during the English Renaissance. By exploring the historical, social, and intellectual factors that shaped critical discourse, Russell provides a comprehensive account of the ways in which writers and thinkers responded to the challenges and opportunities of their time. The book is a valuable resource for scholars and students of English literature, history, and culture, as well as anyone interested in the broader period's broader intellectual and cultural landscape.

\n Weight: 402g\n
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 21 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781644531914\n \n