CRITICISM VS SYMBOLISM: THE DIFFERENCES

Abstract

Aristotelian versus Platonic is a traditional dichotomy for criticism. Aristotelian criticism includes judicial, logical and formal criticism which seeks to find either in the work or inseparably linked to the work the values of a work where platonic critique involves a moralist, utilitarian view of art in which the values of a work are found in the utility of art to other and non-artistic ends. In addition, the classification of criticism is done to serve the purpose of explaining, illustrating, interpreting, evaluating, exploring different literary aspects. The distinction between criticism and symbolism is also discussed in this essay.