Final answer:
Historical criticism in English literature focuses on understanding a text by considering the historical context it was written in, taking into account beliefs, political events, and the original audience.
Step-by-step explanation:
Historical criticism is a method in literary analysis that focuses on understanding a text by considering the historical context in which it was written. When using historical criticism, factors that would be taken into account include the beliefs that were common during the period the text was written, the major political events that occurred at that time, and the original audience for the text. The suspenseful tone of the text and its popularity with today's readers are not typically the main focus of historical criticism.
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