The tradition of literary criticism in Western thought finds its roots in classical antiquity, where the foundational theories of literature, aesthetics, and rhetoric were articulated by philosophers and scholars such as Plato, Aristotle, Horace, and Longinus. Their ideas continue to shape contemporary literary discourse, offering critical perspectives on mimesis, poetic function, and sublimity. The tradition of critical thought that begins with Socrates takes a definite shape in the form of Plato’s literary theory, which represents philosophical skepticism of poetry. It is followed by Aristotle’s systematic poetics, Horace’s pragmatic guidelines for poetic composition, and Longinus’s celebration of the sublime, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding the historical development of literary criticism.