Classical Philosophers on Literature - Plato, Aristotle, Longinus

Students in literary studies frequently come across Plato, Aristotle and Longinus, either directly through their names and concepts or indirectly, in the work of writers and theorists responding to them. Eaglestone argues that while great thinkers of antiquity may seem far away, their ideas still shape how we think about literature and culture even today. Contemporary examples illustrate the meaning of the original texts and highlight their continuous relevance.

List of contents

Why Plato, Aristotle and Longinus Chapter 1: Plato: Origin and ideas Chapter 2: Plato's Literary Influence Chapter 3: Plato Today Chapter 4: Aristotle: ethics and poetics Chapter 5: Aristotle: stories and values Chapter 6: Aristotle: understanding stories Chapter 7: Longinus and the Sublime Chapter 8: The Sublime today After Plato, Aristotle and Longinus Annotated Bibliography

About the author

Robert Eaglestone is Professor of Contemporary Literature and Thought at Royal Holloway, University of London and works on contemporary literature and literary theory, contemporary philosophy and on Holocaust and Genocide studies.

Summary

This Routledge Critical Thinker is an introduction to the literary thought of three major classical thinkers: Plato, Aristotle and Longinus.
Students in literary studies frequently come across Plato, Aristotle and Longinus, either directly through their names and concepts or indirectly, in the work of writers and theorists responding to them. Eaglestone argues that while great thinkers of antiquity may seem far away, their ideas still shape how we think about literature and culture even today. Contemporary examples illustrate the meaning of the original texts and highlight their continuous relevance.
Including an annotated bibliography this guide offers a literary introduction to these classical thinkers and is ideal for Literature students studying theory and criticism.

Product details

• Authors: Lecturer in Twentieth-Century Literatu Eaglestone, Professor Robert (Royal Holloway Unive Eaglestone, Robert Eaglestone, Robert (Royal Holloway Eaglestone, Eaglestone Robert
• Assisted by: Robert Eaglestone (Editor of the series)
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 05.01.2026
• EAN: 9780415750318
• ISBN: 978-0-415-75031-8
• Series: Routledge Critical Thinkers; Routledge Critical Thinkers (H; Routledge Critical Thinkers
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > General and comparative literary studies; LITERARY CRITICISM / General, Literary studies: classical, early & medieval, Ancient History, Literary theory, Literary studies: ancient, classical and medieval, Ancient, classical and medieval texts