This anthology of texts in translation covers an important branch of medieval literary theory and criticism, the commentary tradition, in one of the most significant periods of its development. They offer discussion of such topics as fiction and fable (in classical poetry and in the Bible) the ethical effects and purpose of literature authorship and authority the function of biography in literary interpretation stylistic and didactic modes of writing literary form and structure allegory and literal-historical sense symbolism imagination and imagery the semiotics of words and things the moralization of classical texts the status of poetry within the hierarchy of the human arts and sciences and the prestige and purpose of vernacular literature. The selections are fully annotated and provided with introductions which form a linked series of essays towards the history of medieval literary theory and criticism.