Neoclassicism

Definition

Neoclassicism is a cultural movement that emerged in the late 17th and 18th centuries, emphasizing the principles of classical art and literature, inspired by the works of ancient Greece and Rome. This movement aimed to promote order, reason, and harmony, contrasting the emotional intensity of the preceding Baroque period. Neoclassicism sought to reflect Enlightenment ideals and often included themes of morality and social order.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Neoclassicism sought to emulate the clarity and simplicity of classical antiquity, often using formal structures in poetry and prose.
2. The movement was particularly influential in the visual arts, architecture, and literature during the 18th century.
3. Notable figures associated with Neoclassicism include poets like Alexander Pope and playwrights like Jean Racine.
4. In poetry, Neoclassicists favored the use of heroic couplets, emphasizing formality and restraint in expression.
5. Shelley’s revolutionary ideals can be seen as a response to Neoclassical conventions, pushing against its constraints by favoring more personal and emotive forms of expression in his lyric poetry.

Review Questions

• How did Neoclassicism influence the themes present in the works of poets like Shelley?
  • Neoclassicism influenced poets like Shelley by establishing a framework of order and reason that they could respond to or reject. While Shelley's work often drew on neoclassical forms, he infused his poetry with revolutionary ideals that emphasized emotion, individuality, and social change. This tension between neoclassical restraint and romantic passion shaped his lyrical expressions, making them unique reflections of both tradition and innovation.
• Compare and contrast Neoclassicism with Romanticism regarding their treatment of emotion and reason in poetry.
  • Neoclassicism focused on reason, order, and restraint in poetry, favoring structured forms such as heroic couplets. In contrast, Romanticism celebrated emotion, individual experience, and spontaneity, often rejecting the strict rules set by Neoclassicists. While Neoclassical poets aimed to convey moral messages through their work using rational themes, Romantic poets like Shelley prioritized personal expression and emotional depth, marking a significant shift in literary focus.
• Evaluate how Neoclassicism's emphasis on reason relates to Shelley's revolutionary ideals within his lyric poetry.
  • Neoclassicism's emphasis on reason contrasts sharply with Shelley's revolutionary ideals as seen in his lyric poetry. While neoclassical values promoted a structured worldview based on rational thought and moral clarity, Shelley challenged these conventions by advocating for passionate expression and social upheaval. His work reflects a desire for change that resists neoclassical constraints, illustrating how he embraced emotional depth to critique societal norms while still engaging with the formal elements established by earlier literary traditions.

Related terms

Enlightenment:

A philosophical movement that emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority, significantly influencing art, literature, and politics during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Classicalism: A style in art and literature that draws inspiration from the classical art and culture of ancient Greece and Rome, focusing on harmony, proportion, and restrained emotion.

Romanticism:

An artistic and literary movement that originated as a reaction against Neoclassicism, emphasizing emotion, individualism, and the beauty of nature.