Neo-Classical

Are you a fan of logic and reason in your literature? If so, you may have enjoyed the neo-classical movement, spanning from the early 1600s until the end of the following century. Literature and poetry at this time became more formally strict and moralistic, with many writers engaging in criticisms of social norms and hierarchies. This approach to literature varied significantly from the Renaissance that came before. One of the most important elements of neo-classicism was that writers borrowed from the ideas and practices of the Ancient Roman and Greek eras.

Neo-classical meaning

Neo-classicism was a literary and artistic movement that lasted from approximately the early 1600s until the late 1700s, and it significantly influenced culture during this time. There have been debates between literary scholars over when exactly neo-classicism begun. Two basic schools of thought exist. One believing that it began in the early 1600s, whereas another would argue that the movement began closer to 1660 when the Restoration occurred. Regardless of which side is right, there is a great deal of overlap.

Neo-classicism was prevalent across Europe, with some of the biggest literary strides occurring in England. Neo-classicism focused on taking aspects of Ancient Greek and Roman art and literature and imitating them. These original Ancient Greek and Roman texts were called classical works. Neo-classicism reworked these forms from antiquity for the modern day. Much of this was inspired by Grand Tours that were common across Europe at the time. Young artists and writers became increasingly more aware of the artistic cultures of Ancient Greece and Rome and then used them in their own art.

Neo-classicism differed from the previous Renaissance period significantly. Renaissance literature often focused on the importance of the individual, particularly on humanity's inherent moral good. Neo-classical literature instead focused on more universal issues and portrayed humans as much more nuanced and flawed.

Neo-classicism also coincided with the Age of Enlightenment. The principles of this period came to influence Neo-classicist writing. Writers in the movement often questioned accepted social and cultural norms, moving towards new perceptions of more widespread equality.

Fig. 1 - Neo-classicism borrowed from Ancient Greek and Roman writing.

Although there are debates on when it exactly began, the neo-classical period is typically divided into three definable periods.

1. The Restoration period. This lasted from the mid-1600s to the early 1700s. The period is particularly marked by the reign of King Charles II (1630-1685). The Restoration era can be defined by its frivolity and relaxing of social rules and norms. It was a more permissive time for many. This came as a reaction to the repressive Puritan era that had come before under Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658).
2. The Augustan period. This covered the first half of the eighteenth century. This period is named after the Ancient Roman emperor Augustus (63 BC-14 AD), signalling an Ancient Roman influence in the art and literature of the time.
3. The Age of Johnson. This final period of the neo-classical movement covered the second half of the eighteenth century. It was named after the prolific English writer Samuel Johnson (1709-1784). The writing of this time was somewhat less formal and more progressive than the earlier neo-classical stages.

Neo-classical approach

Despite a wide variety of texts being produced during the neo-classical period, many authors took a similar approach to their work. Below is a table of key characteristics of neo-classical writing.

Neo-classical literature

Neo-classical literature typically consisted of formal and rational texts that explored various social issues while borrowing heavily from antiquity. Read on for some examples!

Neo-classical literature: Volpone (1606)

Volpone, a play by poet and playwright Ben Jonson (c. 1572-c. 1637), is a significant contributing factor to the belief that neo-classicism began in the early 1600s. First premiered in only 1606, Volpone is an influential play that imitates Ancient Greek and Roman works.

The play follows the eponymous character of Volpone, the Italian word for fox, as he attempts to deceive three men who wish to inherit his riches after he is dead, Voltore, Corbaccio, and Corvino. Set in Venice, a series of chaotic plots ensue as Volpone pretends to be on his deathbed in order to trick these three men. Each are duped in different ways in their efforts to secure Volpone's fortune. However, none involved receive a happy ending.

The play is a satirical one, a highly popular genre in Ancient Greece and Rome. Volpone embodies many characteristics of neo-classical literature. All characters in the play are highly flawed, giving a nuanced representation of humanity. Additionally, a sense of logic and justice prevails at the end of the play. The characters which have been driven by greed, including Volpone himself, are punished by the court for their actions. They are held up as something not to be imitated.

Neo-classical literature: Gulliver's Travels (1726)

Gulliver's Travels is a satirical novel by Irish writer, Jonathan Swift (1667-1745). The story revolves around Lemuel Gulliver, a surgeon and seafarer, who travels the world, discovering new countries and their species. Gulliver ends up in multiple countries, each inhabited by different kinds of non-human creatures.

For example, he finds himself in Lilliput, an island belonging to the Lilliputians, a race of creatures only a few centimetres tall. Swift portrays these creatures as absurd, basing political affiliations on what shoes people wear and engaging in petty arguments. In reality, this was a veiled criticism of the superficiality of the British political system at the time.

The last new species Gulliver comes across are the Houyhnhnms, a hyper-intelligent race of horses who prioritise rationality and logic above all else. The horses are surprised by Gulliver who seems to be a more evolved version of another species they share their island with, the Yahoos. The Yahoos are human in appearance, yet, in reality, they are unclean, harsh, and brutish. Eventually, Gulliver returns to England, unsettled by all he has learned.

Many characteristics of neo-classical literature can be found in Gulliver's Travels. Like in Volpone, the use of satire borrows directly from antiquity, with the genre being extremely popular in both Ancient Greece and Rome. Swift's novel also explores various social issues through the different species Gulliver encounters. They are used metaphorically.

The characters of the Yahoos represent humanity's various flaws, insinuating that humans are not as evolved and logical as they may think. Instead, the values of rationality, common sense, and emotional detachment are lauded in the Houyhnhnms. Gulliver believes only the Houyhnhnms are approaching life in the correct way. This is the moral that Swift wants his writers to take away.

Neo-classical age poetry

Neo-classical poetry shared many characteristics with the general literature of the period. It borrowed forms and techniques from Ancient Greek and Roman poetry, as well as addressing more wide-ranging social issues. Neo-classical poets also adopted very strict formal structures.

Alexander Pope (1688-1744) and John Dryden (1631-1700) were two central poets of this era. Below are some common characteristics of neo-classical poetry.

• Measured formal structure.
• Lack of lyricism and romantic imagery.
• Rational and logical viewpoints.
• References to antiquity.
• Biblical allusions.
• A moral lesson behind the poem.

Neo-classical criticism

A central feature of neo-classical literature was engaging in criticisms of various social norms and hierarchies. Neo-classicism was often didactic, meaning it intended to teach its audience a particular lesson. The movement took issue with overt displays of emotion and chaos. It instead encouraged its readers to approach life with measured logic. It also challenged powerful church hierarchies, governments, and monarchies.

However, the neo-classical period only lasted for approximately one hundred and fifty years. After this came Romanticism, a literary movement that encapsulated everything that neo-classicism had been working against. Romanticism focused back on the individual and encouraged creativity, lyricism, and an appreciation of beauty above all else.

Fig. 2 - Neo-classical literature questioned and critiqued what was socially accepted.