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Neoclassical Poetry In context: ( ) Anglo Saxon—Alliteration and Caesura ( ) Middle English—Rhyme and Ballads ( ) Renaissance Neoclassicism ( ) Romantics

the period is bounded by the “Restoration” of Charles II as the British monarch and (roughly) the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789 (the beginning of the Romantic Period) some features of the period (at least its early years) include: strong interest in tradition (thus the “neo,” meaning new) - distrust of radical innovation great respect for classical writers (those of Ancient Greece and Rome) => the idea of “enduring literary models” literature was one of the arts – as an “art” it required the practice and study of a set of skills and the involvement of the artist in the forms and styles of the “classical” era (contrast this to the Romantic ideal of the lone poet, the “natural,” solitary genius....) the Roman poet Horace produced his Ars Poetica (first century B.C.) - consisting of nearly 30 guiding maxims for aspiring poets

outside of “natural geniuses” like Shakespeare and Homer, artists strove for correctness, or decorum the “rules” of poetry were largely governed by genre: like epic, tragedy, comedy, pastoral – derived, or “learned,” from Classical authors humanity was taken to be the proper subject for poetry (particularly humans in their social arrangements, as opposed to the individual contemplating his or her own psyche or relationship with natural world) poetry was held to be an “imitation” of reality/nature/humanity: “a mirror held up to nature” – though it was artifice that ordered and organized the materials that nature provided so as to reveal its “genius” and its Beauty

- art should both “instruct and delight” - a classical ideal picked up by many authors, including Sir Philip Sidney (in his “A Defence of Poesie”) and John Dryden (in his “Essay of Dramatic Poesie”) - neoclassical “humanism” addressed itself to what “mankind” had as universally in common (a problematic ideal on many levels, including its sexism and eurocentrism) - the ideal of balance, of accessible goals (the contrary to prideful hubris), and of natural hierarchy as symbolized by The Great Chain of Being - Pope would write that “The bliss of man....is not to think or act beyond mankind.”

Overview Events of the times Events of the times Influence on Literature Influence on Literature Poets of the Time Poets of the Time Characteristics Characteristics Example/Discussion Example/Discussion

Events of the times

History ( ) Events of the times  The Glorious Revolution  Industrial Revolution  American Revolution  French Revolution  What do you think characterized this time period?  If many of peoples of the world were going through a revolution, what do you think literature was doing?

Why the term “Neo-Classical”?  neo means “new”  classical refers to the classical writings of Roman times; neo-classical writers copied the styles of the ancient writers (like when we wear “retro” clothes and call it “in style”)

Other terms Other goings-on Copernican revolution: Earth not the center of the universe Copernican revolution: Earth not the center of the universe Neo-Classical era was after (and in direct response to) the Renaissance. Neo-Classical era was after (and in direct response to) the Renaissance. You’ve studied it before; what trademarks renaissance arts and writings? Neo-classics also called: The Restoration The Restoration The Augustan Age The Augustan Age The Age of Reason The Age of Reason The Age of Dryden The Age of Dryden

Influence on Literature

Themes Place of man in society Place of man in society Order is valuable Order is valuable Reason is more important than passion Reason is more important than passion

Characteristics Wit Wit Consistency of human nature Consistency of human nature Anti-individuality Anti-individuality

Poets of the Times

Two main poets Alexander Pope ( ) Raised Catholic during the Glorious Revolution Raised Catholic during the Glorious Revolution his father had converted to Catholicism despite his Anglican father’s wishes many family problems resulted Famous for witty satires, aggressive and bitter quarrels with other writers Famous for witty satires, aggressive and bitter quarrels with other writers John Dryden ( )  Heavily educated; studied the classics as a King’s Scholar  Lost favor with the court when William III ascended the throne; writing became his only source of income  He was such a harsh satirist that he was beaten and criticized on many occasions.

Example

“Mac Flecknoe” by John Dryden All human things are subject to decay, All human things are subject to decay, And, when fate summons, monarchs must obey. This Flecknoe found, who, like Augustus, young Was called to empire, and had governed long; In prose and verse was found without dispute, Through all the realms of Nonsense, absolute. This agèd prince, now flourished in peace, And blessed with issue of a large increase, Worn out with business, did at length debate To settle the succession of the state; And, pondering which of all his sons was fit To reign, and wage immortal war with wit, Cried,--"'Tis resolved! for nature pleads, that he Should only rule, who most resembles me. Shadwell alone my perfect image bears, Mature in dulness from his tender years; Shadwell alone, of all my sons, is he, Who stands confirmed in full stupidity. The rest to some faint meaning make pretence, But Shadwell never deviates into sense; Some beams of wit on other souls may fall, Strike through, and make a lucid interval; But Shadwell's genuine night admits no ray, His rising fogs prevail upon the day. Besides, his goodly fabric fills the eye, And seems designed for thoughtless majesty; Thoughtless as monarch oaks, that shade the plain, And, spread in solemn state, supinely reign. Heywood and Shirley were but types of thee, Thou last great prophet of tautology! Even I, a dunce of more renown than they, Was sent before but to prepare the way; And, coarsely clad in Norwich drugget, came To teach the nation in thy greater name."

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