Qualities of a Good Critic

It would be better to start this discussion with two quotations-one of E.E. Kellet, and the other of T.S. Eliot:

The perfect critic, then, was never born and never will be born. --E.E.Kellet.

It is fatuous to say that criticism is for the sake of "creation" or creation for the sake of criticism. It is also fatuous to assume that there are ages of criticism and ages of creativeness as if by plunging ourselves into intellectual darkness we were in better hopes of finding spiritual light. The two directions of sensibility are complementary; and as sensibility is rare, unpopular, and desirable, it is to be expected that the critic and the creative artist should frequently be the same person. -The Perfect Critic;---T.S. Eliot

Also Read: What is Literary Criticism? Types of literary criticism

Also Read: History of Literary Criticism

Only a person with exceptional intellectual quality as well as with uncommonly impartial, sympathetic and unprejudiced bent of mind, is befitted for the task of a critic. 

The man who is supposed to execute the job of a critic in an exact manner must possess strong sensibility, refined personal taste, sound commonsense, circumstances and a capacity for unorthodox thinking. sense for the proper understanding of a He must bear sympathetic attitude towards his fellow beings so that he can find himself in the place of the author, and consequently, can acquire the capacity for judging incidents in the author's point of view.

In this manner only, would he be able to juxtapose his own mind by the author's psyche, and get in touch with the feelings of the same. Thus, the author's vision of life is reflected in the critic's thoughts.

Necessary Qualities of a Good Critic

A true critic must be a man of extensive studies in different subjects. In the field of literature, he must be equipped with profound comparative knowledge. A critic's knowledgeableness is that basic criterion that helps him to judge the proper perspective of a literary piece.

A perfect critic must keep his mind free from every kind of prejudice and superstition as objectivity and impartiality are essential to arrive at the truth. He must shun the question of personal liking and dislike, and make himself- RATIONAL-LOGICAL-HUMANE, and above all, POETIC.

The slight nuances in the lexicography must be known to the self-reliant critic. And the tiny variance in meaning between two synonyms must be felt by an able critic. Above all, he must love LIFE; and retain his self-acquired knowledge regarding human nature.