Definition of Neoclassicism - Introduction to Neoclassical Age - Feature of Neoclassical Age - Characteristics of The Neo-Classical Age - Major Writers of The Neoclassical age - BS English Subject introduction of Literature History of English Literature Semester 1 Punjab University

Outlines of Neoclassicism

• Definition of Neoclassicism
• Introduction to Neoclassical Age
• Feature of Neoclassical Age
• Characteristics of The Neo-Classical Age
• Major Writers of The Neoclassical age

Definition of Neoclassicism

First of all, the origin of the term neoclassicism must be known. The phrase Neoclassicism has two words: ''Classic and Neo ''.  The word classic refers to the styles and works of the old writers of Greece and Rome. while the word neo comes from the ancient Greek word ''Neos'' meaning new or youthful.As per the Webster dictionary. We have the definition of Neoclassicism as the renaissance and revival of classicism to combine these terms. Neoclassicism is thus the trend in English literary history which put great focus on reviving the classical spirit from 1680 to 1750.

Introduction to Neoclassical Age

This period is referred to as the Neoclassical or Pseudo-Classical Period to denote the artificiality with which the authors of this period wrote. They were inspired by ancient Greek and Roman literature and culture. For nearly every literary form, Neoclassicists do have established laws and rules. Prose should be accurate, straightforward, flexible, and fluent. Poetry should be lyrical, epic, educational, satirical, or dramatic and its principles should be directed by each class. Drama should be presented in the Heroic Couplets; consistency should be followed and characters must be portrayed instead of specific stories.

The Enlightenment Movement has revived interest in the literature of ancient classical classics. This trend is called neoclassicism. As per the Neoclassicists, all kinds of writing should be modeled on the classical work of the ancient Greek, Roman, and current French authors. They thought that artistic goals should be structure, reason, limited passion, and purity and that the usefulness of the literature to mankind should be evaluated. This idea drove them in their literary representations to seek balance, unity, harmony, and elegance in order to entertain, educate and correct humankind, mostly as animals. Thus evolved a civilized, urban, humorous, and intelligent art.

Feature of Neoclassical Age

• Writers of this era were lacking in creativity and in accordance with old Ancient Greek and Roman traditions.
• Instead of creativity or natural talent, much emphasis is given to technical excellence.
• Humans are provided the importance and values. The literary goal of the period is "art for the benefit of mankind," not "art for the sake of art.
• More emphasis is given to the general characteristics of human beings than to the particular attributes.
• Intellect is stressed in thinking and manner.

Characteristics of The Neo-Classical Age

Influence of Materialism

So when Pope proclaims man's limitations, he also implies artist's limits.

“Know yourself, do not examine God.”

Man is the appropriate study!”

But Pope simply repeats prevailing intellectual ideas. After the Renaissance, Materialism and Empirical Science dominated the Neo-classical era. Philosophers like Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Joseph Butler influenced dominant thinking.

Empiricism, as exemplified by Bacon, Hobbes, and Locke, was supported by the development of empirical knowledge. Empirical philosophy and experimental science influenced authors of the era to limit their view of man and life. Men's concerns, politics, morality, and manners became important. Although political concerns were prevalent in Shakespeare's day, their response was idealistic and romantic. But the treatment of Neoclassical authors was rational.

Imitation of Classics

One of the most significant characteristics of Neoclassical writing is its mimicry of Greek and Roman classics.

While Renaissance authors drew inspiration from the classics rather than imitating their models, Neoclassical writers rigidly followed the validity of their models. Dryden, Pope, Swift, and Johnson were believed that the Roman authors of ancient had achieved excellence and purity in literary art and that they could only imitate their models.

Nature Concept

The Neo-classical notion of nature was equally significant. They never meant the natural nature, but the broader human character. The universal human nature was defined by Homer and Horace, not by common men and women. They believed that human nature was unchanging and conventional, the same in all men and all eras, as their They believed that human nature was unchanging and conventional, the same in all men and all eras, as their

Concept of Man

The Neo-classical literature sees man as a powerless creature.

Many satires and works of the time criticize man's arrogance and urge him to be satisfied with his limited knowledge.

Literature Forms

The essay, in both poetry and prose, was the most renowned Neo-classical literary genre.

During the era when the play collapsed and nearly vanished, the novel began.

The literature was mainly satiric and humorous. The age's major failing was causing catastrophe.

Major Writers of The Neoclassical age 

Alexander Pope 

Alexander Pope was a poet and satire who lived during the Augustan era and was considered to be one of the time's finest creative representatives.

Works of Alexander Pope 

• The Tattler 
• The Spectator
  
• The Pastorals
• The Essay on Man
• Essay on criticism 
• Rape of the Lock

Jonathan Swift

Jonathan Swift is a writer and musician who lives in New York City. He was an Anglo-Irish novelist and satirist who is generally considered as the greatest prose satirist in the English language. He was born in London and raised in Ireland. Essays, poetry, pamphlets, and a book were among the works he produced.

Works of Jonathan Swift 

• The Drapier's Letters
• The Tale of a Tub
•  Battle of the Books
• The Journal to Stella
• An Argument Against Abolishing Christianity
• The Directions to Servants
• The Gulliver's Travels
• The Modest Proposal

Samuel Johnson

The English writer Samuel Johnson, also known as Dr. Johnson, was a dramatist, essayist, and poet. He was also a literary critic, moralist, and biographer, who made a great number of contributions to British literature in a variety of genres. He was a devoted Anglican who also happened to be a staunch Conservative.

Works of Samuel Johnson

• Preface to Shakespeare
• Selected Essays
• Selected writings
• The Life of Mr. Richard Savage
• Prince of Abissinia The History of Rasselas
• The pretending or vanity of Human Wishes
• Irene
• The Idler
• Lives of the Most important Eminent English Poets by Samuel johnson

Oliver Goldsmith

Novelist, dramatist, and poet Oliver Goldsmith was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Works of Oliver Goldsmith

• An Elegy on the Death of a Mad Dog
• Essays and The Bee
• The Vicar of Wakefield
• The Deserted Village
• The Traveller
• The Citizen of the World

Conclusion:-

That's the neo-classical era which has a great effect on the rapid change of social area, Alexander pope, Oliver goldsmith, and Jonathan had played an important role in this age. Thus, for the fast social development in England, the first part of the 18th century is outstanding because of the Neoclassical age. The 18th century displays a little Renaissance, which affected almost all of Europe. The growth in prosperity and luxury matched with the overall rise of the human intellectual level.