Name of this critical literary school

[poet_man]

Hello every one,

I’ve got a question about the general name or tittle given to the following literary criticism school:
If a school, trying to discover the true meaning in a work, prioritizes historical facts and relies on the texts written contemporary to the work under analysis.
For instance, to make sense of Hamlet, the critic investigates all of the related texts written at Shakespeare’s time, say, historical books, other literary works, and so on.

Can it be called inter-textual?

Thank you,

[LitNetIsGreat]

Hi, it's called new historicism. No I don't think it can be called inter-textual, that's something different.

[hannah_arendt]

I think that it should be called in this way because some point of view. However, it is better to use 'new historicism'.

[cafolini]

Check Mark Twain on Shakespeare. There is no other that could put him to sleep.

[maxphisher]

Yes, it's called New Historicism. In regard to intertextuality, that is more so the idea that one text can define another to the point where they become complements to one another. New Historicism focuses on how primary sources and contemporary secondary sources influence an author's works: ie. personal thoughts and ideals communicated in letters and critical writings can help to define an author's thematic approaches in fiction. Likewise, historical events that are contemporary to either the author's text or contemporary to the author's thematic and literary allusions help to solidify the meanings that he/she conveys.

[poet_man]

Hello again,
Thank you all for your help and guidance.