ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Heliodorus wrote in prose but made a poetic picture of the love of Theagenes and Chariclea. These examplesgo to prove that"it is not rhyming and versing that maketh a poet-nor more than a long gown makethan advocate, who though he pleaded in armour should be an advocate and no soldier.

Detailed explanation-2: -To, Sidney, poetry is an art of imitation for specific purpose, it is imitated to teach and delight. According to him, poetry is simply a superior means of communication and its value depends on what is communicated. So, even history when it is described in a lively and passionate expression becomes poetic.

Detailed explanation-3: -Whereas Sidney’s popular philosopher in the passage quoted earlier is the poet, it is Plato, the author of the Republic, who emerges as the popular philosopher in Puritan attacks against literature.

Detailed explanation-4: -The function of literary criticism is to examine the merits and demerits or defects of a work of art and finally to evaluate its worth. The chief function of criticism is to enlighten and stimulate. The true critic is the one who is equipped for his/her task by a sound knowledge of his subject.