CLASSICISM &
NEO-CLASSICISM
Classicism is a literary movement which is in sharp contrast to Romanticism. This movement became popular in English literature during the 18th century. The followers of classicism seek perfection and intellectual as well as aesthetic harmony in art and literature. Classicism in literature is the name given to the works which adopt or follow the principles or style of the ancient Greek and Roman literature.
The term “Classicism” comes from the word “Classical” and “Class”. In general terms, the word “Classic” means something which is “ancient”, something which is “great”. The word “class” means “a group” which stands out from others. So all in all, we may say that the term “classical” has two different meanings - “ancient” and “outstanding”.
ORIGIN OF CLASSICISM AS A MOVEMENT:
Seventeenth century French writers were the pioneers who popularized this movement of classicism in literature. During the period of Renaissance, the translations of ancient Greek and Roman literature were easily available. Hence, the scholars and authors developed interest in reading the ancient Greek and Roman literature and they were influenced and inspired by their writing. The French dramatists like Moliere and Corneille followed the Greek masters, such as Aeschylus and Sophocles, and sought to embody Aristotle’s three unities in their plays. Hence, the literature of these French writers was called “classical literature” as the imitated the ancient classical writers of Rome and Greece.
This new trend further was found in the field of poetry and drama in English literature during the 18th century. Now it was known as Neo-Classicism. There were the poets like Alexander Pope and the critics like Dr. Samuel Johnson who further supported in this movement of Neo-Classicism. The English authors of the 18th century followed the French dramatists (known as classical writers) of the 17th century. Hence, their literature was termed as “Neo-Classical literature”.
FEATURES OF CLASSICISM:
1. Classical writers took inspiration from the ancient Greek and Roman thinkers and poets. They were the staunch followers of ancient art and literature.
2. They believed in balancing intellectual and aesthetic pleasure in their works.
3. They advocated for realism and opposed too much romanticism. There is less scope of imagination and much emphasis on realism.
4. Classical literature appeals more to our wit and intellect rather than emotions.
5. Classical literature always follows the norms, rules and regulations as devised by the ancient critics like Plato, Aristotle, Longinus, Dante etc. Walsh commented, “The best of modern poets in all languages are those that have nearest copied the ancients.”
6. They followed the three unities of time, place and action in drama and poetry.
7. Classicists consider literature a tool to teach and reform the society. They insist on teaching moral lessons to the readers.
8. Neo-classicism of the 18th century deals with the urban life and artificiality.
MAJOR CLASSICAL WORKS:
Classicism is found in almost all forms of English literature – drama, poetry, novel etc. Though major classical works were written during the Augustan Age (1700-1740) and during the age of Dr. Johnson (1740-1800), classicism has its impact even during the modern age. Following are some famous classical works of English literature.
Alexander Pope’s ‘The Rape of the Lock’, ‘The Dunciad’, Samuel Richardson’s ‘Pamela, Daniel Defoe’s ‘Robinson Crusoe’, Jonathan Swift’s ‘Gulliver’s Travels’, Joseph Conrad’s ‘Heart of Darkness’, T. S. Eliot’s ‘Murder in the Cathedral’
CONCLUSION:
In nutshell, one may say that classicism is a movement of English literature which began after Renaissance and reached its height during the 18th century. The French dramatists like Moliere and Corneille and the English authors like Alexander Pope and Jonathan Swift are considered as the greatest exponents of classicism.
The followers of classicism focused on form, reason, intellect, rules of the ancients, restraint and morals in literature.
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