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.