Neo- Classicism

The term neo-classicism is sometimes honored but often lamented. The century’s keen interest in ancient civilization and its attempt to resurrect and apply classical ideas in to life and letters is clearly seen in this period. The Latin poets and critics of this period were considered as the best models and ultimate standards of literary taste. The earlier 18^th century poets and critics of English literature felt honour in being able to copy these poets and critics. Hence they were called Neo-classicists.

The period was also called Augustan age, which came from the self-conscious imitation of the original Augustan writers Virgil and Horace by many writers. They flattered themselves that with them English life and literature had reached a culminating period of civilization, corresponding to that which existed at Rome under the emperor Augustus.

18^th century was more educated than the centuries before. Education was no more an upper-class phenomenon. Contribution to literature, science, philosophy etc. came from all parts of the United Kingdom. It was an age of Enlightenment.

In reality the neo-classicist writers largely misunderstood the classical spirit and thinking and produced only a pseudo, superficial imitation of the classical age. The majority of the writers belonged to the upper social stratum. They over emphasized the artificial conventions of the upper-class, looked the other classes with contempt. They professed that great ancient writers like Homer and Virgil had already discovered the fundamental laws of the nature. If the modern writers followed the paths of the ancient writers, they could express the external world, including the world of human action.

The following are the important changes that happened in literature during the eighteenth century.

ü  Rapid development of the novel

ü  An explosion in satire

ü  The mutation of drama from political satire into melodrama  

ü  Evolution towards poetry of personal exploration

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Characteristics of neo-classical literature

The neo-classicists followed the conventional uniformity in manners and speech. Reason and regularity was their guiding stars. They had little appreciation for the external nature or any beauty other than formalized art. This had resulted in the emergence of artificiality in place of naturalism

In poetry importance was given to abstractness of thought and expression, resulting in artificiality & superficiality. Suppression of passion and emotion are visible in neo-classical literature. It was a literature of intelligence not a literature of passion or creative genius. The language of poetry was artificial and mannered; the humbler aspects of life and literature were ignored.

•              Closed Heroic Couplet:

Poetry was written in closed heroic couplet. Unlike the poets of Elizabethan and restoration, the neo-classicist barely tried other forms

Moving from the renaissance period to the period of neo-classicism is a climbing down. Narrowed creative vision from cosmic vision to social view, from a heroic nature of man to a smaller issue in life is the other characteristics of this period. 

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Characteristics of Renaissance Literature

Humanism

     

     Renaissance art was driven by a new notion of humanism. Man began to take interest in his own world rather than the other world. View of literature was predominantly ethical. The moral teaching was secular, not religious. Man began to perceive the positive aspects, his dignity and value rather than the dark and sinful side.

The spirit of discovery and adventure

     The influence of the spirit of discovery and adventure runs through the Renaissance literature. In Shakespeare’s England ocean became the highway of national progress. The spirit of adventure is clearly seen in the renaissance drama. Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Pericles, Merchant of Venice Marlow’s Dr. Faustus, and Tamburlaine etc. are some examples. This spirit helped to create a general tendency to explore all aspects of nature and the world.

The Revival of Classical Learning

     Plato and Aristotle lend immense influence on the renaissance. The revival of classical works and authors influenced to mold and shift the style and technique of literature. Thomas More’s Utopia and Francis Bacon’s New Atlantis have introduced new plot and theme to literature.

Scientific Outlook

     The scientific spirit got changed with the publication of Copernicus’ “On the Revolution of the Celestial Spheres” in 1543. The Copernican system replaced astrology with astronomy. Science and art were intermingled in the early renaissance with artists like Da Vinci entering the field of medicine, aerodynamics, anatomy etc. The previously held truths were questioned and new results were sought in this period of scientific advancement

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The Renaissance

Renaissance: the Beginning

The term Renaissance means revival or rebirth. It was originated in Italy and then spread to Germany, France and England. The renaissance revived almost all the spheres of human life including science, education, politics, religion; philosophy literature etc. this era bridged the gap between the medieval age and the modern age. The middle age was believed to be a dark age. 15^th century in English literature was a barren period. Renaissance was thus a coming out of the dark and barren period.

The period

It was a process of change, which made its appearance around the middle of the 14^th century, prospered during the 15^th & 16^th. By the century, it became part of the larger tradition and ceased to be a new force.

The historical reason

Various theories have been proposed for the origin of the renaissance in Italy. The fall of the Constantinople is the prominent among them. Constantinople was captured by an invading army of the Ottoman Empire in 1453. The attacks saw a large scale sacking and destruction the Byzantine centers of learning. Several Greek & other intellectuals fled the city during the 53 day siege along with their valuable libraries. They were sheltered in Florence by such wealthy families like the Medici.

The romans and Italians used this opportunity to know the work of Homer, Aristotle etc. at first hand. The young scholars & university students flocked to these sources of new learning, with every one eager to learn Greek language. This rediscovery of classics enlarged the spectrum of ideas, styles and genres.

The Reformation

The publication of Martin Luther’s “95 Theses” precipitated the reformation. It was a call to purify the Church and a belief that the Bible not tradition should be the sole source of spiritual authority. They skillfully used the power of the printing press. The reformist Christians, the Protestants, believed in the authority of the Bible, translated the Bible from Latin to various languages and distributed

Impact of Petrarch

Petrarch can be seen as the epitome of the renaissance literary theorists and practitioners.  He was deeply involved in the campaign to rediscover ancient Greek and Latin writers and their values. His sonnets Canzoniere had a lasting impact on the renaissance. Thomas Wyatt & Earl of Surrey took this form to England. Shakespeare, Sidney, Spencer, Milton etc popularized it. They all are indebted to Petrarch.
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