The Neoclassical Age

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This blog is based on a thinking activity assigned by Vaidehi Ma’am . This blog provides you a brief information about “ Neoclassical age”.

https://vaidehi09.blogspot.com/2021/10/the-neoclassical-age-english-literature.html

• Introduction :

The end of the 18th century to the second half of the 17th century are referred to as the Neoclassical period in English literature. Sidney and Ben-Jonson were classicists during the Elizabethan era. That era was characterized by romantic excesses and extravagances as a whole. With regard to this propensity, metaphysical poets exhibit a natural relationship. True, the Neoclassical movement in England was greatly aided by the Elizabethan and the Metaphysical.

The influence of the French or English way of life was the political component most crucially responsible for this development. On the basis of Aristotle's authority, Boileau, Rapined, and Bossu developed their theory of poetry. The Neoclassicists prioritised the idea of following nature above all else. Pope writes, "First Follow Nature and Your Judgment Frame by Her Just Standard, Which is Still the Same," in an essay on criticism.

So , Let’s dive into it…

• Definition :

Neoclassicism (also spelled Neo-classicism) was a Western cultural movement in the decorative and visual arts, literature, theater, music, and architecture that drew inspiration from the art and culture of classical antiquity. 

• Historical Background  :

      Neoclassicism was born in Rome largely thanks to the writings of Johann Joachim Winckelmann, at the time of the rediscovery of Pompeii and Herculaneum, but its popularity spread across Europe as a generation of European art students finished their Grand Tour and returned from Italy to their home countries with newly rediscovered Greco-Roman ideals. The main Neoclassical movement coincided with the 18th-century Age of Enlightenment, and continued into the early 19th century, laterally competing with Romanticism. In architecture, the style continued throughout the 19th, 20th and up to the 21st century. 

• Questions :

Q - 1.) Compare the general characteristics of the Elizabethan age and Neoclassical age.

certainly! Here's a concise comparison of the general characteristics of the Elizabethan Age and the Neoclassical Age:

• Elizabethan Age (Late 16th century):

The Elizabethan Age (late 16th century-early 17th century) is an era of artistic expression and cultural revolution in English literature. It was named after Elizabeth I of England whose reign produced a wealth of literary works. The Elizabethan era saw the development of the English language and the emergence of playwrights such as William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, and others. 

The Elizabethan period is renowned for its wide variety of genres, including tragedy, comedy, history, and sonnets. These genres reflect the fascination of the Elizabethan era with human nature, ambitions, and the complex relationship between emotions. The combination of Renaissance ideals, explorations, and poetry of the Elizabethan period has left a lasting impression on English literature.

• The Neoclassical Age :

 Neoclassical literature, also referred to as the 'Enlightenment' or the 'Age of Reason', was a period of intellectual and cultural development that spanned the late 1700s to the early 1800s. It was marked by the revival of classical values from the time of the Greeks and Romans, with a focus on the principles of reason, organization, and logic. Writers of the era emphasized clarity, accuracy, and logical organization in their work, and often delved into moral and ethical issues, as well as human nature. Notable authors of the era include Alexander Pope and Jonathan Swift, as well as Samuel Johnson.

• Comparison of general characteristics of the Elizabethan age and Neoclassical age:

Certainly! Here's a comparison of the general characteristics of the Elizabethan Age and the Neoclassical Age by topic :

The Neoclassical Age :

Literature and Art:

∆ Embraced a return to classical ideals, focusing on reason, order, and clarity. Literature emphasized moral lessons and often followed strict rules of form and structure.

Social and Political Context:

∆ Followed the Restoration in England, marked by political stability after the English Civil War. Enlightenment ideas and emphasis on reason influenced this period.

Religion:

∆ Generally saw a move towards religious tolerance and a more secular worldview, with a focus on reason and rationality.

Style and Language:

∆ Preferred clarity and simplicity in style, avoiding overly ornate language. Neoclassical writers aimed for precision in expression and adherence to classical forms.

Themes and Values:

∆ Valued reason, decorum, and virtue. Literature often conveyed moral lessons and promoted order, restraint, and social harmony.

Innovation and Tradition:

∆ The emphasis was placed on traditional models and regulations, with the aim of reinstating the values of classical literature and art, while incorporating the Principles Of  Enlightenment.

The Elizabethan Age:

Literature and Art :

∆ Known for its flourishing literature and arts, with playwrights like William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe producing iconic works. The period embraced a mix of genres, including tragedy, comedy, and sonnets.

Social and Political Context:

∆ Marked by exploration, the Renaissance, and Queen Elizabeth I's reign. The society saw growing interest in science, navigation, and trade.

Religion:

∆ A time of religious conflict, with the Church of England and Protestantism being established. Religious tensions played a role in shaping the literature and culture of the era.

Style and Language:

∆ Known for its rich and poetic language, often using elaborate metaphors and wordplay. Blank verse and iambic pentameter were common in drama and poetry.

Themes and Values:

∆ Explored human passions, ambition, love, and the complexity of human nature. Themes of fate, power, and the supernatural were prominent.

Innovation and Tradition:

∆ Marked by innovation and experimentation in literature, with a focus on individual creativity and expression.

These comparisons show how each age has its own unique style, culture, and philosophy.

Q.2) Who is your favorite writer and the favorite text from the Neoclassical Age?How is he/she different from the writers of Elizabethan Age and Romantic Age?

Q. Who is your favorite writer from the Neoclassical Age ? 

   Joseph Addison :

Joseph Addison was my favorite writer of the Neoclassical Age.

About Joseph Addison :

        

Joseph Addison (1672–1719) was an English essayist, poet, playwright, and politician. He was the eldest son of Lancelot Addison.

 He is best known for his contributions to "The Spectator," a highly influential periodical that popularized the essay as a literary form during the 18th century. Alongside his friend Richard Steele, Addison crafted witty and insightful essays on various topics, including society, morality, and literature. 

His writing often conveyed a sense of wit, humor, and moral guidance, making him a prominent figure of the Augustan Age of English literature. 

In addition to his literary accomplishments, Addison also held political roles, serving as a Member of Parliament and later becoming a government minister.

Timeline of Joseph Addison :

All Major & Minor Works : 

Certainly, here is a list of some notable works by Joseph Addison:

"The Campaign" (1704)

"Cato: A Tragedy" (1713)

Essays from "The Spectator" (1711-1712)

Essays from "The Tatler" (1709-1711)

"Dialogues upon the Usefulness of Ancient Medals" (1726)

"Remarks on Several Parts of Italy" (1705)

"The Freeholder" (1715-1716)

These are just a few examples of Joseph Addison's works. He was known for his essays, poems, and plays, which contributed to both literature and political discourse during his time.

Poems of Joseph Addison : 

Writing Style of Joseph Addison : 

Joseph Addison’s elegant and refined writing style that often combined wit, humor, and moral reflections. Here's a brief overview of his writing style : 

Joseph Addison's writing style is characterized by its elegance, clarity, and moral sensibility. He often used a refined and formal tone, focusing on topics like manners, education, and society.

 Addison's prose is known for its graceful sentences, well-structured paragraphs, and use of literary devices such as metaphor and allusion. His essays in "The Spectator," a publication he co-founded, demonstrate his ability to blend wit, satire, and insightful commentary on human nature.

Q. How is Joseph Addison different from the writers of Elizabethan Age and Romantic Age ?

Answer :

Joseph Addison, as a writer of the 18th century, differed from the writers of the Elizabethan and Romantic Ages in several ways:  

Time Period and Literary Movements:

Joseph Addison was part of the Augustan era, which was known for its focus on rationality, order, and Neoclassical ideas. 

The Elizabethan era (1500-1650) saw a lot of drama and poetry written by people like William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, and others.

 The Romantic era (from the late 18th century to the early 19th) was all about emotions, nature, and individuality, and was written by guys like William Wordsworth, Lord Byron, and others.

 Writing Style:

The Elizabethan era was characterized by the use of high-quality language, complex metaphysics, and the use of verse. Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare are two of the most famous Elizabethan writers.

In contrast, Joseph Addison's writing style was characterized by clarity, rationality, and a focus on elegance and wit. His essays and works were often in prose and intended for a broader, educated audience.

Themes and Subjects:

In the Elizabethan era, there was a lot of interest in the human condition, exploring feelings, and exploring tragedy and comedy.

 In the Augustan age, Addison wrote about moral and ethical topics, social commentary and satire. He wrote about manners, society and intellectual pursuits in his essays in The Spectator.

Literary Movement:

The Romantic Age was characterized by a strong focus on individualism, the expression of emotions, and a sense of connection to the natural world. It was characterized by the exploration of the divine, emotion, and the supernatural by writers such as Wordsworth and Coleridge, as well as by Byron.

 Addison, however, was more in line with the Neoclassical ideas of order, morality, and propriety that characterized the Augustan Age.

Social Context:

  The Elizabethan period was a time of discovery, the English Renaissance and the growth of the theater.

   The Romantic Revolution was a reaction to changes in society caused by the Industrial Revolution.

 The Augustan period was a period of enlightenment, with Addison writing about reason, social commentary and the improvement of society.

Q.3.). Share your presentation presented in the class. Attach it with  your blog.

Here I attach our Presentation which we presented in the class. Click here...

Q.4.) Describe any one thing about this age which you look up to. 

"Exploring the Rational Beauty: Neoclassicism's Influence on Literature, Art, and Architecture"

The Neoclassic era was a time when people believed in reason and order, and it had a big impact on everything from literature to art to architecture to philosophy. It was a period that saw a strong emphasis on the power of the human mind to understand the world and improve it.

 Famous Neoclassic writers include Alexander Pope, Jonathan Swift, and many more. To get a better understanding of this time, it's important to look at what they wrote and how they wrote it. 

Neoclassicism was a style of art and architecture that was inspired by the classical Greek and Roman styles of the past. The goal of the artists was to make works that were harmonious, balanced, and reflected the values of order and rationality. 

This is seen in the way the designs are symmetrical, the lines are clean, and the use of classic motifs in the art and buildings. All in all, it was a time of great importance for the values of reason and order, and it had a huge impact on different aspects of culture.

Conclusion: 

In short, we can say that the Elizabethans and the Neoclassical had different things in common. One of the most famous Neoclassical writers was Joseph Addison. He was a rationalist who wrote a book called "Cato". Unlike the Elizabethans and Romanticists, Addison was a moralist who focused on morality and reason. He saw the Neoclassical as a time of ordered literature and art.

Thank you 😊

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