History Of English Literature(29 September)

Neoclassical literature was written between 1660 and 1798. This time period is broken down
into three parts: the Restoration period, the Augustan period, and the Age of Johnson.

Writers of the Neoclassical period tried to imitate the style of the Romans and Greeks. Thus the
combination of the terms 'neo,' which means 'new,' and 'classical,' as in the day of the Roman and
Greek classics. This was also the era of The Enlightenment, which emphasized logic and reason.
It was preceded by The Renaissance and followed by the Romantic era. 

Characteristics of Neoclassical Literature

Neoclassical literature is characterized by order, accuracy, and structure. In direct opposition

to Renaissance attitudes, where man was seen as basically good, the Neoclassical writers
portrayed man as inherently flawed. They emphasized restraint, self-control, and common sense.
This was a time when conservatism flourished in both politics and literature.

Some popular types of literature included:

Parody

Essays

Satire
Letters

Fables

Melodrama

Rhyming with couplet

Why is it called Augustan Age:The eighteenth century in English literature has been called the
Augustan Age, the Neoclassical Age, and the Age of Reason. The term 'the Augustan Age' comes
from the self-conscious imitation of the original Augustan writers, Virgil and Horace, by many
of the writers of the period. Specifically, the Augustan Age was the period after the Restoration
era to the death of Alexander Pope (~1690 - 1744). The major writers of the age were Pope and
John Dryden in poetry, and Jonathan Swift and Joseph Addison in prose.

Why is it called age of reason:18th century is also known as an era of “prose and reason”
because literature of that era sprouted its roots deep in reason and intellect, thus it was
characterised as satirical, didactic and critical.

Age of Enlightment: The Age of Enlightenment (also known as the Age of Reason or simply the
Enlightenment) was an intellectual and philosophical movement

Sir Richard Steele, pseudonym Isaac Bickerstaff, (born 1672, Dublin, Ire.—died Sept. 1,

1729, Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire, Wales), English essayist, dramatist, journalist, and politician,
best known as principal author (with Joseph Addison) of the periodicals The Tatler and The
Spectator.

Sir Richard Steele

QUICK FACTS
BORN1672
Dublin, Ireland
DIEDSeptember 1, 1729 (aged 57)
Carmarthen, Wales
NOTABLE WORKS

“The Funeral”

“The Tender Husband”

“The Christian Hero”

“The Lying Lover”

“The Conscious Lovers”

FOUNDER OF

“The Tatler”

Joseph Addison, (born May 1, 1672, Milston, Wiltshire, England—died June 17, 1719, London),
English essayist, poet, and dramatist, who, with Richard Steele, was a leading contributor to and
guiding spirit of the periodicals The Tatler and The Spectator. His writing skill led to his holding
important posts in government while the Whigs were in power.

Joseph Addison

QUICK FACTS
View Media Page

BORNMay 1, 1672
Milston, England
DIEDJune 17, 1719 (aged 47)
London, England
NOTABLE WORKS

“An Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot”

“A Letter from Italy”

“A Poem to his Majesty”

“Remarks on Several Parts of Italy”

FOUNDER OF

“The Spectator”

John Dryden, (born August 9 [August 19, New Style], 1631, Aldwinkle, Northamptonshire,
England—died May 1 [May 12], 1700, London), English poet, dramatist, and literary critic who so
dominated the literary scene of his day that it came to be known as the Age of Dryden.
John Dryden

QUICK FACTS
BORNAugust 19, 1631
Aldwinkle, England
DIEDMay 12, 1700 (aged 68)
London, England
TITLE / OFFICE

Poet Laureate (1668-1689)

NOTABLE WORKS

“Absalom and Achitophel”

“Marriage à-la-Mode”

“Mac Flecknoe”

“The Indian Emperour”

“Secret Love, or the Maiden Queen”

“The Hind and the Panther”

“King Arthur”

“To His Sacred Majesty”

“Fables Ancient and Modern”

“The Medall”
SUBJECTS OF STUDY

literary criticism

Last modified: 11:07 pm