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 18th
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.
18th 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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