The Later Middle Ages

As the economy grew and became stable during the later Middle Ages, education became more of an emphasis, in particular universities. Grammar and rhetoric were taught, as well as regular cirriculum. Neo-Platonism regressed and the ideas of scholasticism became popular. Scholasticism primarily focused philosophical teachings of the church. These philosophical ideas focused ideas on poetry and how these writing were based on logic rather than grammar. Poetry was supposed to "manipulate language rather than as a subject of its own content." In other words, scholastic believers of this time did not think highly of poetry becasue it caused distraction to theology, scriptures and the Christian doctrine. It's worth noting that the views of logic and poetry, were very similar to Aristotle. However, there were many people who opposed this notion of poetry being a distraction. Many philosophers disagreed, believing poetry offered moral instruction and provided enjoyment. Overall, poetry recieved mixed types of criticism. Many believed it embodied learning, and should be taught in the cirriculum with subjects such as dialect, grammar and rhetoric. Many on the other hand still viewed poetry as logic and had no place in grammatical tradition.