University/Organization
San Diego State University
Title
Houdar de La Motte, Poète-Philosophe Revisited
Synopsis
French poet and playwright, Antoine Houdar de la Motte (1672–1731) was the most controversial “Moderne” of his times. Criticism of his works was wildly polarized and based on party politics rather than rational, critical method. The contemporary journalist-critic Justus van Effen considers his works and literary reputation in an extensive review in 1724, resulting in a model of objective literary criticism for the period.