Neoclassicism and Romanticism

The 18th and early 19th century was pregnant with both the movements namely, Neoclassicism
and Romanticism. Neoclassicism and Romanticism are often viewed as reactionary
movements that arose from different historical periods. However, let us discuss first
Neoclassicism, and then Romanticism. Neoclassicism (Neo-classicism; from Greek ‘neos,’
means ``new`` and Greek ‘klasikos,’ indicates “of the highest rank”) was a Western cultural
movement in the arena of decorative and visual arts, literature, theatre, music, architecture,
science and politics. It drew motivation from the art and culture of classical antiquity.
Neoclassicism emphasizes on structure, restrain or self-control, objectivity, reason and
intellect. The writers of this age consciously adopted the genres and conventions of ancient
literature and applied ideas and techniques extracted from the classics to their own literary
pieces (Portrait of Alexander Pope by Sir Godfrey Kneller, 1719). Seventeenth-century and
eighteenth-century Neoclassicism was, in a sense, a resurgence of classical taste and
sensibility, but it was not identical to classicism. In England, Neoclassicism flourished
roughly between 1660, when Stuarts returned to the throne, and the 1798 publication of
Wordsworth`s Lyrical Ballads, with its theoretical preface and collection of poems that came
to be seen as heralding the beginning of Romantic Age. This movement can be typically
divided into three periods:

 The Restoration age (1660 – 1700): marks the British king’s restoration to the throne
 The Augustan Age (1700 – 1750): similar to the period of James Augustus Ceaser in
Rome, which was the period of tranquillity and stability.
 Transition Age/ The Age of Johnson / The Age of Sensibility (1750 – 1798): this
period marked by the upcoming romantic ideals and influence and slow transition
from neo classical ideals to romantic ones. Writers of this age begun to embrace a
new forms of literary expression- a new feelings or sense. They came to explore
feeling and emotion.
 Dr. Samuel Johnson, who dominated this age, founded his literary club
JOHNSON`S LITERARY CLUB in 1764.
 One event demands a mention – French Revolution (1789 – 99) . Louis-XVI
of France – social inequality- overthrown by people- revolution had great
impact on life and literature of the people of England.

 Graveyard Poets or Churchyard Poets – pre-romantic English poets of the 18th cen.
Thomas Grey`s “An Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard”

Writers of this period:

Now the question – what is Romanticism? Romanticism was an artistic and literary
movement that originated in Europe toward the end of 18 th century. It appeared partly as a
reaction to the industrial revolution, it was also a revolt against the aristocratic social and
political norms of the Age of Enlightenment and a reaction against the scientific
rationalization of nature. In the late 18th century and early 19th century, those who sought a
way of expressing emotions found the Romantic movement as a suitable plate to decor their
emotions and feelings. Writers of the romantic age prioritized emotions over rational thought.
Scholars of Romantic movement argued that the humans are not only creatures of reason. It
lasted from about 1789 to 1832. Let us have the crux of our conception of the Romantic
movement: Romanticism represents a critique of modernity, that is, the modern civilization.
From its inception, Romanticism can be said to be illuminated by the dual light of the star of
revolt and what Gerard de Nerval called the “black sun of melancholy”.

This romantic movement, which Victor Hugo calls, “liberalism in literature” is simply the
expression of life as seen by imagination, rather than by prosaic “common sense”, which was
the central doctrine of English philosophy in the eighteenth century.

 Key characteristics of Romanticism in Literature:

Glorification of Nature

Nature, in all its unbound glory, plays a huge role in Romantic literature. Nature, sometimes
seen as the opposite of the rational, is a powerful symbol in work from this era. Romantic
poets and writers give personal, deep descriptions of nature and its wild and powerful
qualities. Natural elements also work as symbols for the unfettered emotions of the poet or
writer, as in the final stanza of “To Autumn” by John Keats. Keats was aware that he was
dying of consumption throughout much of his short life and career, and his celebration of
autumn symbolizes the beauty in the ephemeral.

Awareness and Acceptance of Emotions

A focus on emotion is a key characteristic of nearly all writing from the Romantic period.
When someone reads work of this period, one can see feelings described in all forms,
including romantic and filial love, fear, sorrow, loneliness, and more. This focus on emotion
offered a counter point to the rational, and it also made Romantic poetry and prose extremely
readable and relatable. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein offers a perfect example of this
characteristic of Romanticism. Here, Frankenstein’s monster shows great self-awareness of
his feelings and offers a vivid emotional description full of anger and sadness.
Celebration of Artistic Creativity and Imagination

In contrast to the previous generations’ focus on reason, writers of the Romantic movement
explored the importance of imagination and the creative impulse. Romantic poets and prose
writers celebrated the power of imagination and the creative process, as well as the artistic
viewpoint. They believed that artists and writers looked at the world differently, and they
celebrated that vision in their work. William Wordsworth’s poem, “The Prelude."

Emphasis on Aesthetic Beauty

Romantic literature also explores the theme of aesthetic beauty, not just of nature but of
people as well. This was especially true with descriptions of female beauty. Writers praised
women of the Romantic era for their natural loveliness, rather than anything artificial or
constrained. A classic example of this characteristic is George Gordon, or Lord Byron’s,
poem “She Walks in Beauty."

She walks in beauty, like the night / Of cloudless climes and starry skies; / And all that’s best of dark
and bright / Meet in her aspect and her eyes;/ Thus mellowed to that tender light/ Which heaven
to gaudy day denies.

Themes of Solitude

Writers of the Romantic era believed that creative inspirations come from solitary
exploration. They celebrated the feeling of being alone, whether that meant loneliness or a
much-needed quiet space to think and create. Coleridge’s poem “Frost at Midnight.”

Spiritual and Supernatural Elements

Vivid Sensory Descriptions

Use of Personification

Romantic poets and prose writers also used personification in their work. You can see
examples of personification of everything from birds and animals to natural events or aspects.
These works even personify feelings like love or states like death. One can see Romantic
personification in the work of the famous naturalist and writer, Karl von Martius.

Focus on Exoticism and History

10. Focus on the Self and Autobiography

Writers of this period:

William Wordsworth, John Keats, Lord Byron, Samuel Taylor Coleridge,

 Difference between two Ages: