This book has been shaped in large part by my experience in the under graduate and graduate humanities programs at Syracuse University: and I am deeply indebted to my colleagues and students with whom I have shared that experience. Above all, i am grateful to my friend and colleague, Professor William Fleming, who encouraged me to undertake this work, and whose own Arts and Ideas has been a landmark in the development of an interdisciplinary approach to the arts. My wife has not only all of the typing, but has made many helpful suggestions and criticism. The editorial staff of Holt, Rinehart and Winston, particularly Jane Ross and Johanna Barto, have provided invaluable assistance at every stage. Finally I wish to thank those and publishers who have graciously granted me permission to reprint copyright material.