Neoclassical Period

THE NEOCLASSICAL PERIOD

 Known as classical age or age of reason. It is a period of Enlightenment.

 This is the age in which writers wished to understand not to imagine.

 This period goes by the names "the Enlightenment," "the Age of Reason," and "the Neo-Classical Age."
There was a great turning away from religion as a primary way of life.

 The neoclassical period started around the 1660s but really didn't hit its true beginning until the 1750s. The
period lasted until about 1830. Painters were inspired by the excavations of Herculaneum and Pompeii in the
1730s and 40s, as they brought to light previously unseen Roman artifacts and ruins.

 The Neoclassical period in England is generally considered to have started around the mid-18th century,
specifically the 1750s, and lasted until around 1830, drawing inspiration from the excavations at Pompeii and
Herculaneum which brought Roman artifacts to light during that time.

 Explanation of the name

Writers of the Neoclassical period were trying to imitate the culture of the ancient Roman and Greek. That is why the
period is called the Neoclassical period, it is a combination between the words“Neo”, which means new, and “Classical”,
which refers to the classical period of ancient Greece and Rome.

The Neoclassic period can be divided into three (3) relatively coherent parts:

1. The “Restoration Age”

 The "Restoration Age" in England refers to the period following the re-establishment of the monarchy in 1660,
after the Commonwealth period under Oliver Cromwell, marking the return of King Charles II to the throne.

 The Restoration period in England began with the reinstatement of Charles II and spanned twenty-eight years of
the 17th Century (1660 to 1700).

Key points about the Restoration Age:

 Monarch: King Charles II
 Significant event: The return of the monarchy after the execution of Charles I
 Literary impact: This period is often associated with a revival in English literature, including playwrights like
William Wycherley and John Dryden.

***The most dominant figure of the Restoration Age in England is considered to be John Dryden, a prominent writer
who significantly impacted English literature through his poetry, plays, and critical writings during this period.
Explanation:
1. Literary Impact: Dryden is widely recognized as the leading literary figure of the Restoration era, often referred
to as the "King of Restoration literature".
2. Works: His notable works include "Astraea Redux" celebrating the restoration of King Charles II and "Annus
Mirabilis" detailing significant events like the Great Fire of London.

2. The Augustan Age (1700-1750),

 The "Augustan Age" in English literature refers to the early 18th century period, roughly spanning from the late
17th to mid-18th century,
 It is a time when writers heavily imitated the style and themes of Roman literature during the reign of Emperor
Augustus (In Rome), emphasizing classical forms, order, and satire, with prominent authors like Alexander Pope,
Jonathan Swift, and Joseph Addison being key figures in this era; essentially, it is a period of Neoclassicism in
English literature where writers looked to ancient Roman models for inspiration.

Key points about the Augustan Age:

 Inspiration from Roman writers: English writers of this period admired and emulated Roman authors like Virgil,
Horace, and Ovid, who flourished under Emperor Augustus.
  Focus on form and order: A strong emphasis was placed on clear structure, elegant language, and refined style
in writing.
 Satire as a prominent genre: Many Augustan works employed satire to critique social and political issues, often
with wit and cleverness.
 Major authors: Alexander Pope (famous for "The Rape of the Lock"), Jonathan Swift ("Gulliver's Travels"), Joseph
Addison, and John Dryden are considered key figures of this era.

3. The Age of Johnson

 The "Age of Johnson" in English literature refers to the mid-18th century period, roughly spanning from the
1740s to the 1780s, named after the prominent writer Samuel Johnson, and is characterized by his influential
works in essays, lexicography, and literary criticism during that time.
 Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) was an English writer, critic, and lexicographer who was a leading figure in 18th
century literature. He is best known for his Dictionary of the English Language (1755).

Key points about the Age of Johnson:

 Central Figure:
Samuel Johnson, known for his dictionary ("A Dictionary of the English Language") and essays like "The Rambler."
 Literary Style:
Considered a transitional period between the earlier Augustan Age (with writers like Alexander Pope) and the Romantic
era, showing elements of both classical order and emerging personal expression.
 Key themes:
Focus on reason, morality, social commentary, and exploration of human nature through realistic prose.

NEOCLASSICAL LITERATURE:

Neoclassical literature has been written in a period where social order was undergoing a tremendous change. In
the so-called Enlightenment Period, people believed that natural passions aren’t necessarily good; natural passions
must be subordinated to social needs and be strictly controlled.

Authors believed that reason was the primary basis of authority. They believed that social needs are more
important than individual needs. It is quite on contrary to its proceeding age in which emphasis was laid on
individualism rather than the socialism.

One of the most important features of the neoclassical literature is the imitation of the classics of ancient Greek and
Roman literature.

Although the Renaissance writers had imitated the classics, whereas Renaissance writer’s mere derived
inspirations from the classics rather than copying the models of the past, the neoclassical writers strictly
adhered to the authority of their models. Thus neoclassical literature can be called as ‘Traditional’.
The Neoclassical writers like Dryden, Pope, Swift, and Johnson were convinced that excellence and
perfection in the literary art have been attained by the Roman writers of antiquity, thus they can only copy
the models of perfection and excellence.

Characteristics of the period:

Neoclassical literature in England was characterized by a focus on logic, reason, and order. It was a response to
the Renaissance period's unrestrained ideas.

 Imitation of Classics
One of the most important features of the Neoclassical literature is the imitation of the classics of ancient Greek and
Roman literature. Although the Renaissance writers had imitated the classics, whereas Renaissance writers mere derived
inspirations from the classics rather than copying the models of the past, the Neoclassical writers strictly adhered to the
authority of their models. Thus Neoclassical literature can be called as ‘Traditional’.

The Neoclassical writers like Dryden, Pope, Swift, and Johnson were convinced that excellence and perfection in the
literary art have been attained by the Roman writers of antiquity, thus they can only copy the models of perfection and
excellence.
  Structure was achieved by using the models of literary works from the classic time, Neoclassical writers believed
that perfection and excellence had been achieved by the literary works of ancient time. This made the literature
from this period 'traditional'.

 In direct opposition to renaissance attitudes, where man was see as basically good, the neoclassical writers’
portrayed man as inherently flawed. The Neoclassical literature considers man as a limited being, having
limited power. A large number of satires and works of the period attack the man for his pride and advise him to
remain content with his limited power of knowledge. Thus man in neoclassical literature remains a being of
limited means and power.

 The concept of nature was also an important characteristic of the neoclassical age. By nature, they never
meant the forest nature, but for them, nature meant the general human nature. The general human nature was
not what the ordinary men and women felt and thought, but the standard view of human nature as held by
Homer and Horace.

Like their static view of the world, the Neoclassical writers thought of human nature also was
something static and standard, which is the same in all men and remains the same at all times. Thus their view
of nature as well as of man, world, and genre was static and standard.

 Literary Forms and structure

Neoclassical literature was formal, measured, and structured. Among the Neoclassical forms of
literature, the most famous were the essay, both in verse and prose. Neoclassical literature included novels,
diaries, moral fables, and essays. While drama declined and almost disappeared during the later part of the
period, Novel made its beginnings. The literature of the age was mostly comic and satiric. An important failure
of the age was to produce tragedy.

 Age of Reason
The Neoclassical Period is often called the Age of Reason. Thinkers of this age considered reason to be the
highest mental faculty and sufficient guide in all areas. Both religious beliefs and morality were grounded on reason.
In literature also, the reason is predominant in the Neoclassical age. Emotions and imaginations are also present but
in a controlled way.

Common Themes:

 Logical and sensible viewpoints: Neoclassical literature often focuses on what is knowable, rather than what is
not.

 Social issues: Neoclassical literature often explores various social issues.

 Imitation of classical works: Neoclassical literature often imitates classical works from ancient Greece and
Rome.

 Nature: Neoclassical literature often explores nature, which is seen as a harmonious and hierarchical order of the
universe.

 Human nature: Neoclassical literature often explores human nature, which is seen as having timeless and
universal qualities.

Notable Writers and Works:

A large number of literary works came out during this period, which included parody, fables, melodrama, rhyming with
couplets, satire (!), letters, diaries, novels, and essays. More emphasis was given to grammar and etymology (study of
words). Major authors and literary works are:

1. Alexander Pope (1688-1744)

 He was an English poet and satirist who is considered one of the greatest poets of the Neoclassical period.

 Pope was born on May 21, 1688. He was born in London to a Roman Catholic family.
 He suffered from a spinal deformity and tuberculosis from a young age
 His formal education was limited due to his religious views
Career:
 His literary career began in 1704
 He first attracted public attention in 1709 with his Pastorals
 He is best known for his satirical verse and translation of Homer's works

 Was an English poet, translator, and satirist of the Enlightenment era who is considered one of the most
prominent English poets of the early 18th century.

An exponent of Augustan literature, Pope is best known for his satirical and discursive poetry including:
The Rape of the Lock, (1712) / The Dunciad, (1728) / An Essay on Criticism (1711)

2. John Dryden (1631-1700)

 Was an English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright who in 1668 was appointed England's first Poet
Laureate.
 He is seen as dominating the literary life of Restoration England to such a point that the period came to be
known in literary circles as the Age of Dryden.

 Born in Aldwinkle, Northamptonshire, England on August 9, 1631

Notable works: Mac Flecknoe (1682) / The Medall (1682) / Absalom and Achitophel (1681)

3. Jonathan Swift (1667-1745)

 Was an Anglo-Irish satirist, author, essayist, political pamphleteer, poet, and Anglican cleric who became Dean of
St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, hence his common sobriquet, "Dean Swift".

 Swift was born in Dublin, Ireland1667. He studied at Kilkenny Grammar School and Trinity College in Dublin. He
moved to England in 1688 and returned to Ireland in 1699.

Notable Works: A Modest Proposal (1729) /Gulliver’s Travels (1726) / A Tale Of A Tub (1704)

4. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784)

He was an English writer, critic, and lexicographer who made significant contributions to English literature. He is
considered one of the most famous literary figures of the 18th century.

 Born in Lichfield, England, Attended Lichfield Grammar School and Pembroke College, Oxford. He Worked as a
teacher before moving to London
 Struggled with illness, poverty, and depression and Suffered from tics, gestures, and exclamations that some
believe were Tourette Syndrome

Notable Works:
 A Dictionary of the English Language (1755) / London (1735) / Life of Mr. Richard Savage (1744) /
Observations on the Tragedy of Macbeth (1745) / A Journey to the Western Isles of Scotland (1775)