Enlightenment

Definition

The Enlightenment was an intellectual and cultural movement that emerged in the late 17th and 18th centuries, characterized by an emphasis on reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority. This period marked a shift away from superstition and dogma, advocating for scientific thought and rational discourse, which deeply influenced literature and criticism during this time.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Enlightenment encouraged critical thinking and challenged established norms, paving the way for modern democratic ideas.
2. Thinkers like Voltaire, Rousseau, and Kant were prominent figures in the Enlightenment, advocating for liberty, equality, and fraternity.
3. The movement laid the groundwork for significant historical events such as the American Revolution and the French Revolution, as ideas about individual rights gained traction.
4. Enlightenment thinkers emphasized the importance of education and knowledge as tools for societal progress and reform.
5. The influence of the Enlightenment extended into the realm of literary criticism, where rational analysis began to challenge traditional interpretations of literature.

Review Questions

• How did Enlightenment ideas influence literary criticism during its time?
  • Enlightenment ideas shifted the focus of literary criticism towards reason and rational analysis. Critics began to emphasize clarity, coherence, and structure in literary works, advocating for a more systematic approach to understanding texts. This rational perspective helped to elevate literary standards and fostered a greater appreciation for the role of literature in reflecting societal values and truths.
• Discuss the relationship between Enlightenment philosophy and the emergence of Romanticism in literature.
  • The Enlightenment's emphasis on reason laid the groundwork for Romanticism by creating a backdrop against which Romantic writers could react. While Enlightenment thinkers prioritized logic and order, Romantic writers sought to express emotions, imagination, and individuality. This contrast led to a vibrant literary dialogue where Romanticism emerged as a response to the perceived limitations of Enlightenment rationalism, celebrating human experience in all its complexity.
• Evaluate how the principles of Enlightenment thought contributed to modern notions of individuality and personal freedom in literature.
  • The principles of Enlightenment thought significantly shaped modern concepts of individuality and personal freedom within literature. By championing reason and personal autonomy, Enlightenment thinkers encouraged authors to explore themes of self-expression and identity. This focus on the individual's experience paved the way for later literary movements that emphasized personal voice and subjective interpretation, ultimately influencing how literature addresses issues of freedom, society, and human rights.

Related terms

Rationalism: A philosophical viewpoint that emphasizes reason as the primary source of knowledge and truth, central to Enlightenment thought.

Romanticism: An artistic and literary movement that reacted against the Enlightenment's focus on reason, celebrating emotion, nature, and individual creativity.

Empiricism: The theory that knowledge is derived from sensory experience, a key concept during the Enlightenment that supported scientific inquiry.