“THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT AND CORE FUNCTIONS OF LITERARY CRITICISM.”

Abstract

The article examines the historical development and main functions of literary criticism as an important field of philological study. It explores the essence of the concept of “literary criticism” and its role in the analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of literary works. Particular attention is given to the relationship between criticism and literary theory, as well as to the criteria for evaluating texts, including aesthetic, cultural-historical, and linguistic aspects. It is also noted that literary criticism is largely subjective in nature and reflects the socio-cultural context of its time. The article concludes that the key functions of literary criticism are the interpretation and evaluation of literary works