Neoclassical Literature: History, Characteristics, Works and Most Outstanding Authors

The neoclassical literature It refers to the literary movement driven by the principles of the Enlightenment, in order to emulate the values ​​of the Greek and Roman authors. This trend began in the mid-eighteenth century in Europe, in order to counteract the teachings of the time in favor of culture and reason.

Neoclassical literature not only influenced literature in general, but also in other areas of the arts, such as painting, music, sculpture, architecture and even clothing. This literature seeks to enhance the structures of the thinkers of Ancient Greece and Rome.

Alexander Pope, one of the representatives of neoclassical literature

The intention is to put aside the improvisation and experimentation that was manifested during the Renaissance, while promoting the order and regularization of grammar and spelling. On the other hand, neoclassical literature was characterized by a strong rejection of fantastic themes.

Thus, the most characteristic elements of neoclassical literature are directly related to reason, structure, rational thought and the intention to teach. One of the most important characteristics of this genre is that it always has a didactic character.

Origins and history

Neoclassical literature emerged at the height of the Enlightenment, which manifested itself between the end of the seventeenth century and the beginning of the eighteenth century in Europe, and was a movement that forever transformed the culture, politics and social factors in the Western world.

Thanks to the Enlightenment, there is a need to expand the principles of individual freedom, religious tolerance, reason, the scientific method and fraternity, towards all areas of expression.

With the presence of empirical philosophy and experimental science, the writers of the time sought to transform and transmit a new way of seeing life.

For this reason they concentrated on aspects related to morality, moderation, order and self-control as manifestations against the baroque forms prevailing at the time.

A series of changes in the literary genres was presented by diversifying into other formats such as parodies, melodramas, satires, letters, diaries and essays.

On the other hand, the essays became the new disseminators of ideas and thoughts of the most important philosophers of the movement.

Also, the poetry and the fable used animals and courageous characters among its protagonists, in order to generate stories that had some important meaning and that left lessons to readers.

Note the role of encyclopedias during the period of dissemination of the ideas of the Enlightenment; These works contemplated philosophical, political, social and scientific assumptions that would become public domain. The letters were no longer under the power or control of the more affluent classes.

The 3 main eras of Neoclassicism

It is possible to classify the different eras of Neoclassicism and neoclassical literature in three different stages:

1- Era of restoration

The poetry follows the classic guidelines of the Greco-Latin authors, although relying on satire.

Theaters are also popular as a space for exhibiting works in prose, which makes room for genres such as comedy. Other expressions that were also popularized were odes and pastorals.

2- It was Augustinian

It owes its name to the Roman emperor, Augustus, who was in charge of providing stability and prosperity to the Empire.

In this period, journalism is developed, as well as fiction novels with autobiographical cuts.

Comedies are still popular and a more sentimental poetry is developed. Literature becomes rational, realistic and moral.

3- It was Johnson's (or was of sensitivity)

The main elements that characterized this era were balance, reason and intellect. There was greater concentration in a type of folkloric and popular literature.

Also, the texts and works of William Shakespeare became popular and recognized. On the other hand, a series of encyclopedias and dictionaries on grammar and spelling were also carried out.

Hispanic American Neoclassical Literature

Neoclassical literature was developed in Spain and some countries in Latin America, with the intention of enhancing scientific and rational values, as well as the national identities of each region.

The theater became one of the main means of training in Spain. It even established a series of guidelines that the works had to fulfill: for example, these should be credible and have a moral and instructive content.

In the case of Latin America, there was a focus on the values ​​of freedom and progress, inspired by pro-independence figures such as Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín.

It should be noted that gaucho literature was also developed at this time, one of the most representative subgenres of the settlements in the Rio de la Plata area, Argentina and Uruguay.

Main characteristics

- There is a rescue of the values ​​and aesthetics of the authors and Greco-Latin works.

- It arises as a response against the baroque style that prevailed for the time.

- There is a focus more towards the social than towards the individual, making it clear that man alone is not the center of events.

- The most frequent topics are: freedom, religious tolerance, opposition to the monarchy, fraternity and the propagation of the importance of a lay state.

- New means of information dissemination were generated, such as pamphlets and essays, in order to bring knowledge to the lower strata.

- Predominantly a strong rejection towards the imaginative and the fantastic.

- Reason, limits, moderation, structure and reason will be the essential elements present in neoclassical literature.

- It is insisted that the works must have a didactic intention. The audience can learn and obtain lessons through the stories. The message must be more important than the way it is presented.

- There are symbols and signs that represent much more complex terms.

The 5 main authors of neoclassical literature and their most outstanding works

Neoclassical literature left a legacy of works and authors that even today continue to influence new generations. The most relevant characteristics of the main representatives are described below:

1- Jean-Baptiste Poquelin

Also known as Moliere, he was a French writer who served as a writer, actor and lawyer.

His most famous work is Tartuffe , considered one of the most controversial for mocking the wealthy class.

2- Alexander Pope

He was an English writer. Pope is one of the most important authors of neoclassical literature thanks to works such as The Rape of the Lock Y An essay on criticism, although he became recognized with the translation he made of the Iliad .

3- Jonathan Swift

Author of the work Gulliver's Travels , which tells the adventures of the main character, Lemuel Gulliver. This title also served as a criticism of British politics and society.

4- Daniel Defoe

He is the writer behind Robinson Crusoe , a sailor who decides to renege on his family and decides to sail the seas with adventure spirit.

This work has all the elements of an epic: a hero, a hard trip, separation from home and a series of battles.

5- Samuel Johnson

His name was taken to name one of the eras of Neoclassicism thanks to his contributions in poetry, journalism and translation.

He was the writer of the Dictionary of English Language , one of the most important resources of English grammar.

References

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4. Neoclassicism (s.f) In Wikipedia. Retrieved into: February 8, 2018. In Wikipedia of es.wikipedia.org.
5. Hispanic American Neoclassicism. (s.f) In Wikipedia. Retrieved into: February 8, 2018. In Wikipedia of es.wikipedia.org.
6. Neoclassical Literature: Its Characteristics and Famous Examples. (s.f) In Buzzle. Retrieved on: February 8, 2018. Buzzle on buzzle.com
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