The Neo-classical age 1700 - 1800

The Neo-classical age 1700 - 1800

Introduction:

      

        The Neoclassical period is the time when people began to see the world in a different way. Rational thought and reason were introduced into religion, and were held in higher regard then earlier principles. The public started to reject the monarchy and turned to an elected government. It also introduced higher ideas in the arts, economics and literature. The first newspaper was born, (The Daily Courant – 1702) and literature in its widest sense, including the books, the newspaper and the magazine became the chief instruments of a nation’s progress. 

- Neoclassical literature was written during 1660-1798.

- Time of Formality and Artificially.

- This is also known as The Enlightenment Period.

- Neoclassical writers tried to imitate the style of the Roman and Greek.

- This age contains three parts.

                    

Social development:

  

       The first half of the eighteen century is remarkable for the rapid social development in England. For the first time people set themselves to the task of learning the art of living together, holding different opinions. Every wrier of the age busied himself with religion as well as with party politics. But the general tendency of the age was towards toleration. Man had found himself in the long struggle of personal liberty.

In the latter half of the century the political and social progress is almost bewildering. Schools were established, Clubs and coffee-housed increased; books and magazines multiplied and press was the greatest visible power in England. Some general views of the Age,

v Imitation of classical form.

v Artificial and aristocratic society.

v Sophisticated sexual behavior.

v Honor comes from reputation, not integrity.

v Style is polite, urban and witty.

v Instructive and entertaining.

Literary Characteristics

1. An age of Prose:

       For the first time it was a triumph of English prose. Interest of people was in the new social and political conditions and the demanded expressions, not only in books but in pamphlets, magazines and newspapers. The progress of prose expressed in the words of Dante,

“A development which astonishes us by its rapidity and excellence” 

Poetry itself became prosaic in this respect; it was not used for creative works of imagination but for essays, satire, and criticism. Poetry in the first half was typified in the work of Pope but it was polished and witty with artificiality. There was not the glow of Elizabethan age and moral earnestness of Puritan age.

Prose provides us the study of life, rather than delighting or inspiring people with its appeal of imagination. Dryden has developed the variety and excellence of prose works, and the prose style, which clearly states every human interest and emotions.

2. Satire:

       The tendency to realism and refinement of expression were continued in this age from the preceding age. These qualities can be observed in Pope’s poetry and in the prose of Addison. The third tendency is shown in the prevalence of satire, resulting from the union of politics and literature. Every writer of the first half of the century was used and rewarded by Whigs and Tories for satirizing their enemies.

Satire is a literary work which searches out the faults of men or institutions to ridicule them. It is also a destructive kind of criticism. The satires of Pope, Swift, and Addison are doubtless the best, which is always best in English literature.

3. Classical literature:

        This period is known by various names. This age is also known as The Age of Queen Anne, but this queen has not influenced literature like Elizabethan has done. This period is also known as The Classic Age, The name is given for three reasons,

- The term ‘Classic’ refers to writers of the highest rank in any nation. Any English book which follows the simple and noble method of Homer and Vergil is considered as a classic style literature.

- All national literature has at least one period in which great writers produce their books, and this is called as the classic period of a nation’s literature. Age of Queen Anne is often called the classic age of England.

- To use particular method of expressing enthusiasm and emotions.

The Age is also known as “Augustan Age”. This name is chosen by writers themselves because they saw the similarities in the work of Pope, Swift, Addison and Johnson with Horace, Virgil and all the brilliant writers who made Roman literature famous.

          Neoclassical thinkers emphasized the past as a guide for the present. Most Neoclassical thinkers and writers believed that humanity remained constant and it was not possible that any new discoveries or technologies would be made writers able to express universal truth rather than unique and imaginative vision. 

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Works Cited

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