# Critic > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Critic > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Critic.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critic > Source revision: 1339712659 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Person who offers reasoned judgment For other uses, see [Critic (disambiguation)](/source/Critic_(disambiguation)). Not to be confused with [Critique](/source/Critique). *Critic* by [Lajos Tihanyi](/source/Lajos_Tihanyi). Oil on canvas, c. 1916. A **critic** is a person who communicates an assessment and an opinion of various forms of creative works such as [art](/source/Art_criticism), [literature](/source/Literary_criticism), [engineering](/source/Engineering), and [taste](/source/Taste). Critics may also take as their subject [social](/source/Social_policy) or [government policy](/source/Government_policy). Critical judgments, whether derived from [critical thinking](/source/Critical_thinking) or not, weigh up a range of factors, including an assessment of the extent to which the item under review achieves its purpose and its creator's intention and a knowledge of its context. They may also include a positive or negative personal response. Characteristics of a good critic are articulateness, preferably having the ability to use language with a high level of appeal and skill. [Sympathy](/source/Sympathy), [sensitivity](/source/Sensitivity_(physiology)) and [insight](/source/Insight) are also important. [Form](/source/Substantial_form), [style](/source/Style_(sociolinguistics)) and [medium](/source/Media_(communication)) are all considered by the critic. In [architecture](/source/Architecture_criticism) and [food criticism](/source/Food_critic), the item's function, value and cost may be added components. Critics are publicly accepted and, to a significant degree, followed because of the quality of their assessments or their reputation. Influential critics of art, music, theater and architecture often present their arguments in complete books. One very famous example is [John Ruskin](/source/John_Ruskin)'s *[Seven Lamps of Architecture](/source/Seven_Lamps_of_Architecture)* and *[The Stones of Venice](/source/The_Stones_of_Venice_(book))*. Critics may base their assessment on a range of [theoretical positions](/source/Theoretical_definition). For instance, they may take a [feminist](/source/Feminist) or [Freudian](/source/Freudian) perspective.[1] Unlike other individuals who may editorialize on subjects via websites or letters written to publications, professional critics are paid to produce their assessment and opinions for [print](/source/Printing), radio, magazine, television, or [Internet companies](/source/Internet_service_provider). When their personal opinion outweighs considered judgment, people who give opinions, whether on current events, public affairs, sports, media or art are often referred to as "pundits" instead of critics. Critics are themselves subject to competing critics, since the final critical judgment always entails [subjectivity](/source/Subjectivity). An established critic can play a powerful role as a public [arbiter](/source/Arbitration) of taste or opinion. Also, critics or a coordinated group of critics, may award symbols of recognition. ## Derivation The word "critic" comes from [Greek](/source/Greek_language) κριτικός*(kritikós)* 'able to discern',[2] which is a Greek derivation of the word κριτής *(krités)*, meaning a person who offers [reasoned](/source/Reasoned) judgment or [analysis](/source/Analysis), [value judgment](/source/Value_judgment), [interpretation](/source/Interpretation_(logic)) or [observation](/source/Observation).[3] Early English meaning of criticism was based mainly on the [criticism of literature](/source/Literary_criticism) and it was in the 17th century that more general forms of criticism began.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] ## Characteristics Characteristics of a good critic include articulateness, preferably having the ability to use language with a high level of appeal and skill. Sympathy, sensitivity, and insight are also important factors. Critics have themselves commented on the characteristics of a good critic. The [cultural critic](/source/Cultural_critic) [Clement Greenberg](/source/Clement_Greenberg) wrote that a good critic excels through "insights into the evidence ... and by ... loyalty to the relevant", while poet and critic [T. S. Eliot](/source/T._S._Eliot) wrote that "a critic must have a very highly developed sense of [fact](/source/Fact)".[4] In 1971, [Harold C. Schonberg](/source/Harold_C._Schonberg), chief music critic of *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)* from 1960 to 1980, said that he wrote for himself, "not necessarily for readers, not for musicians. ... It's not a critic's job to be right or wrong; it's his job to express an opinion in readable English."[5] Schonberg was the first music critic to receive the [Pulitzer Prize](/source/Pulitzer_Prize) for criticism. [Daniel Mendelsohn](/source/Daniel_Mendelsohn) described the equation of criticism for critics as [knowledge](/source/Knowledge) + [taste](/source/Taste_(sociology)) = meaningful [judgement](/source/Judgement).[6][7] Restaurant critic Terry Durack explained that from a critic "you hope for a thorough, objective and legitimate discussion" that puts "opera, art or book into context, so that it adds to your own body of knowledge"; in the context of a restaurant criticism, this means it is "not about me liking it or not; it's about me helping you decide whether you are going to like it or not."[8] Rothko's dilemma was that he wanted to employ the vocabulary of symbolism – the palpitating indeterminate space, the excruciatingly refined colour, the obsession with nuance, the presence of Mallarmé's "negated object" – to render the patriarchal despair and elevation of the Old Testament. Criticism doesn't get sharper, or more sensitive, or more deeply sympathetic to the object, than that. [Robert Hughes (critic)](/source/Robert_Hughes_(critic)) on (artist) [Mark Rothko](/source/Mark_Rothko)[9] ## Social and political critics Social and political critics have used various forms of art to express their criticism, including literature and music. [Pierre Beaumarchais](/source/Pierre_Beaumarchais), for example, prior to the [French Revolution](/source/French_Revolution), used his play [*The Marriage of Figaro*](/source/The_Marriage_of_Figaro_(play)) to denounce aristocratic privilege, and a critic's influence is enhanced by subsequent reworkings such as the operatic versions of Beaumarchais's play (*[The Barber of Seville](/source/The_Barber_of_Seville)*) by [Rossini](/source/Gioachino_Rossini) and (*[The Marriage of Figaro](/source/The_Marriage_of_Figaro)*) by [Mozart](/source/Wolfgang_Amadeus_Mozart). [August Ahlqvist](/source/August_Ahlqvist), a Finnish professor and poet, who highly admired [J. L. Runeberg](/source/J._L._Runeberg), the national poet of Finland, gave very negative feedback to the entire literary production of the author [Aleksis Kivi](/source/Aleksis_Kivi), when Kivi presented content of the peoples social life in the form of rude [realism](/source/Realism_(arts)) instead of [romanticism](/source/Romanticism).[10][11] Among the most famous social/political criticism in literary form are [Jonathan Swift's](/source/Jonathan_Swift) satire *[Gulliver's Travels](/source/Gulliver's_Travels)* and [George Orwell](/source/George_Orwell)'s satire *[Animal Farm](/source/Animal_Farm)*. Some political critics, such as [Ai Weiwei](/source/Ai_Weiwei) use visual art as their medium. Throughout history, political critics have faced higher risks, including the risk of imprisonment or death.[12][13][14][15][16] ## Online critics Several websites have developed for the purpose of compiling or publishing original critical reviews. Examples include [Blogcritics](/source/Blogcritics), [Rotten Tomatoes](/source/Rotten_Tomatoes), and [Yelp](/source/Yelp). According to [A. O. Scott](/source/A._O._Scott), chief film critic for *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*, everyone on the Internet is a critic.[17] Some critics like [Roger Ebert](/source/Roger_Ebert) achieve iconic status in pop culture and become well regarded.[18][19][20] ## Cinematography and television The American film critics Roger Ebert and [Gene Siskel](/source/Gene_Siskel) [collaborated](/source/At_the_Movies_(1986_TV_program)#Siskel_&_Ebert_&_the_Movies_(1986–1999)) and appeared on television sometimes agreeing on their review of cinematographic works; sometimes they would differ. Film critics may use [star classification](/source/Star_(classification)#Films) to qualify the reviewed works. Characters depicting critics have been part of some movies, and have been represented in comedies, such as a [food critic](/source/Food_critic) in the animated fantasy-comedy *[Ratatouille](/source/Ratatouille_(film))*, and as an [art critic](/source/Art_critic) in one of the initial parts of the anthology comedy film *[The History of the World Part I](/source/The_History_of_the_World_Part_I)*. ## Responses to critics People whose work is the subject of criticism have a full range of responses to it. For example, they may be appreciative, offended, distressed, encouraged, amused or nonplussed. We do not object to criticism; and we do not expect that the critic will read the book before writing a notice of it. We do not even expect the reviewer of the book will say that he has not read it. No we have no anticipations of anything unusual in this age of criticism. — [Satirical](/source/Satire) comment about potential criticism by [Mark Twain](/source/Mark_Twain) and [Charles Dudley Warner](/source/Charles_Dudley_Warner) in their Preface to the American Edition of their co-authored novel *[The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today](/source/The_Gilded_Age%3A_A_Tale_of_Today)*.[21] ## See also - [Analysis](/source/Analysis) - [Art criticism](/source/Art_criticism) - [Art historian](/source/Art_historian) - [Censorship](/source/Censorship) - [Complaint](/source/Complaint) - [Connoisseur](/source/Connoisseur) - [Constructive criticism](/source/Constructive_criticism) - [Critical philosophy](/source/Critical_philosophy) - [Critical theory](/source/Critical_theory) - [Critical thinking](/source/Critical_thinking) - [Critique of political economy](/source/Critique_of_political_economy) - [Critique of work](/source/Critique_of_work) - [Critique](/source/Critique) - [Cultural critic](/source/Cultural_critic) - [Film criticism](/source/Film_criticism) - [Food critic](/source/Food_critic) - [Frankfurt School of social theory](/source/Frankfurt_School_of_social_theory) - [List of chief music critics](/source/List_of_chief_music_critics) - [Literary criticism](/source/Literary_criticism) - [Music journalism](/source/Music_journalism) - [Polemic](/source/Polemic) - [Review](/source/Review) - [Social criticism](/source/Social_criticism) - [Textual criticism](/source/Textual_criticism) - [Theatre criticism](/source/Theatre_criticism) - [Video game criticism](/source/Video_game_criticism) - [Wine critic](/source/Wine_critic) [Portals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals): - [Arts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Arts) - [History](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:History) - [Journalism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Journalism) - [Philosophy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Philosophy) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Dolan, Jill (October 24, 2012). [*The Feminist Spectator as Critic*](https://books.google.com/books?id=qdP2BgxsM3wC). University of Michigan Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0472035199](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0472035199). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [Greek-English Lexicon, at Perseus](https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3Dkritiko%2Fs) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210309020949/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3Dkritiko%2Fs) March 9, 2021, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), *Kritikos*, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [Greek-English Lexicon, at Perseus](https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3Dkrith%2Fs) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210308021210/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3Dkrith%2Fs) March 8, 2021, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), *Krites*, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Greenberg, Clement (1961). "T.S. Eliot: A Book Review". *Art and Culture – Critical Essays*. Boston: Beacon Press. p. 239. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Kozinn, Allan (July 27, 2003). ["Harold C. Schonberg, 87, Dies; Won Pulitzer Prize as Music Critic for *The Times*"](https://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/27/nyregion/harold-c-schonberg-87-dies-won-pulitzer-prize-as-music-critic-for-the-times.html). *The New York Times*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0362-4331](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170421083208/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/27/nyregion/harold-c-schonberg-87-dies-won-pulitzer-prize-as-music-critic-for-the-times.html) from the original on April 21, 2017. Retrieved March 28, 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Mendelsohn, Daniel (August 28, 2012). ["A Critic's Manifesto"](http://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/a-critics-manifesto). *The New Yorker*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0028-792X](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0028-792X). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160314160619/http://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/a-critics-manifesto) from the original on March 14, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Spiegelman, Willard. ["Everyone's a Critic"](https://www.wsj.com/articles/everyones-a-critic-1455147994). *Wall Street Journal*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0099-9660](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0099-9660). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170116193334/http://www.wsj.com/articles/everyones-a-critic-1455147994) from the original on January 16, 2017. Retrieved March 27, 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Durack, Terry (December 3, 2016). ["The role of a restaurant critic in the digital age"](http://www.smh.com.au/good-weekend/the-role-of-a-restaurant-critic-in-the-digital-age-20161201-gt1ndf.html). *The Sydney Morning Herald*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20171207010656/http://www.smh.com.au/good-weekend/the-role-of-a-restaurant-critic-in-the-digital-age-20161201-gt1ndf.html) from the original on December 7, 2017. Retrieved December 5, 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Craven_9-0)** Craven, Peter (December 16, 2015). ["The Spectacle of Skill review: The genius of Robert Hughes as critic and writer"](http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/the-spectacle-of-skill-review-the-genius-of-robert-hughes-as-critic-and-writer-20151214-glmyct.html). *The Sydney Morning Herald*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160923091625/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/the-spectacle-of-skill-review-the-genius-of-robert-hughes-as-critic-and-writer-20151214-glmyct.html) from the original on September 23, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Sihvo, Hannes (2014). ["Kivi, Aleksis (1834–1872)"](https://kansallisbiografia.fi/english/person/2826). *The National Biography of Finland*. 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[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20191204234839/https://www.wsj.com/articles/pakistanis-throng-for-funeral-of-man-hanged-for-killing-critic-of-blasphemy-laws-1456855688) from the original on December 4, 2019. Retrieved March 27, 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Thousands march in Moscow to honor slain Kremlin critic Nemtsov"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-nemtsov-idUSKCN0W00M4). *Reuters*. February 28, 2016. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170116210652/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-nemtsov-idUSKCN0W00M4) from the original on January 16, 2017. Retrieved March 27, 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Beijing Critic Says Family Detained in China in Internet Crackdown"](https://www.voanews.com/a/beijing-critic-family-detained-china-internet-crackdown/3256261.html). *VOA*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160328222613/http://www.voanews.com/content/beijing-critic-family-detained-china-internet-crackdown/3256261.html) from the original on March 28, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** [Scott, A. O.](/source/A._O._Scott) (January 30, 2016). ["Everybody's a Critic. And That's How It Should Be"](https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/31/sunday-review/everybodys-a-critic-and-thats-how-it-should-be.html). *The New York Times*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0362-4331](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161228141814/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/31/sunday-review/everybodys-a-critic-and-thats-how-it-should-be.html) from the original on December 28, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Rothman, Lily. ["Roger Ebert Statue Unveiled Outside Illinois Theater"](https://time.com/76577/roger-ebert-statue-illinois/). *[Time](/source/Time_(magazine))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150613004917/http://time.com/76577/roger-ebert-statue-illinois/) from the original on June 13, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Man Arrested for Overdue Tom Green Rental From 2002"](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/weird-news/man-arrested-overdue-freddy-got-fingered-video-rental-2002-n545366). *NBC News*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20191102172634/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/weird-news/man-arrested-overdue-freddy-got-fingered-video-rental-2002-n545366) from the original on November 2, 2019. Retrieved March 27, 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Child, Ben (April 25, 2014). ["Statue commemorating thumbs-up film critic Roger Ebert unveiled"](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/apr/25/roger-ebert-film-critic-statue-ebertfest). *The Guardian*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0261-3077](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0261-3077). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170117075157/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/apr/25/roger-ebert-film-critic-statue-ebertfest) from the original on January 17, 2017. Retrieved March 27, 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-SLC&CDW_21-0)** Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner (1903). "Preface to the American edition". *The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today*. Chatto & Windus. p. ix. Authority control databases International GND 2 National United States Other NARA --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Critic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critic) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critic?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.