NEOCLASSICAL LITERATURE: CHARACTERISTICS, WORKS AND AUTHORS - LITERATURE - 2025

The neoclassical literature refers to the literary movement driven by the principles of the Enlightenment, in order to emulate the values of the Greek and Roman authors. This trend began in the middle of the 18th century in Europe, in order to counter the teachings of the time in favor of culture and reason.

Neoclassical literature not only influenced literature in general, but also other areas of the arts, such as painting, music, sculpture, architecture, and even clothing. This literature seeks to enhance the structures of the thinkers of Ancient Greece and Rome.

Alexander Pope, one of the representatives of neoclassical literature

The intention is to put aside the improvisation and experimentation that manifested during the Renaissance, while promoting the order and regularization of grammar and spelling. On the other hand, neoclassical literature was characterized by forcefully rejecting fantastic themes.

So, the most characteristic elements of neoclassical literature are directly related to reason, structure, rational thought and the intention to teach. One of the most important characteristics of this genre is that it always has a didactic character.

Origins and history

Neoclassical literature emerged at the height of the Enlightenment, which manifested itself between the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries in Europe, and was a movement that forever transformed culture, politics, and social factors in the Western world.

Thanks to the Enlightenment, the need arises to expand the principles of individual freedom, religious tolerance, reason, the scientific method and fraternity, towards all areas of expression.

With the presence of empirical philosophy and experimental science, the writers of the time sought to transform and transmit a new way of seeing life.

For this reason they concentrated on aspects related to morality, measure, order and self-control as manifestations against the baroque forms prevailing at the time.

There was a series of changes in literary genres as they diversified into other formats such as parodies, melodramas, satires, letters, diaries and essays.

On the other hand, the essays became the new disseminators of ideas and thoughts of the most important philosophers of the movement.

Likewise, poetry and fable used courageous animals and characters among their protagonists, in order to generate stories that had some important meaning and that would teach readers.

It is worth highlighting the role of encyclopedias during the period of dissemination of the ideas of the Enlightenment; These works contemplated philosophical, political, social and scientific assumptions that would become public domain. Letters were no longer under the power or control of the wealthier classes.

The 3 main eras of Neoclassicism

It is possible to classify the different eras of Neoclassicism and Neoclassical literature into three different stages:

Era of restoration

The poetry follows the classical guidelines of the Greco-Latin authors, although relying on satire.

Theaters are also popularized as a space to exhibit prose works, which makes room for genres such as comedy. Other expressions that also became popular were the odes and the pastorals.

It was Augustinian

It owes its name to the Roman Emperor, Augustus, who was in charge of providing stability and prosperity to the Empire.

At this time journalism develops, as well as fiction novels with autobiographical cuts.

Comedies continue to be popular and a more sentimental poetry develops. Literature becomes rational, realistic and moral.

It was Johnson's (or it was sensitivity)

The main elements that characterized this era were balance, reason and intellect. There was a greater concentration on a type of folk and popular literature.

Also, the texts and works of William Shakespeare became popular and recognized. On the other hand, a series of encyclopedias and dictionaries on grammar and spelling was also produced.

Spanish-American neoclassical literature

Neoclassical literature was also developed in Spain and some countries in Latin America, with the intention of exalting scientific and rational values, as well as the national identities of each region.

The theater became one of the main means of training in Spain. A series of guidelines was even established that the works had to comply with: for example, they had to be credible and have a moral and instructive content.

In the case of Latin America, there was a focus on the values ​​of freedom and progress, inspired by pro-independence figures such as Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín.

It should be noted that gaucho literature also developed at this time, one of the most representative subgenres of the settlements in the Río de la Plata area, Argentina and Uruguay.

Main features

- There is a rescue of the values ​​and aesthetics of Greco-Latin authors and works.

- It arises as a response against the baroque style that prevailed at the time.

- There is a focus more towards the social than towards the individual, making it clear that man alone is not the center of events.

- The most frequent themes are: freedom, religious tolerance, opposition to the monarchy, fraternity and the propagation of the importance of a secular state.

- New means of disseminating information were generated, such as pamphlets and essays, in order to bring knowledge to the lowest levels.

- A strong rejection of the imaginative and the fantastic predominates.

- Reason, limits, moderation, structure and reason will be the essential elements present in neoclassical literature.

- It is insisted that the works must have a didactic intention. The audience can learn and learn from the stories. The message should be more important than the way it is presented.

- There is the presence of symbols and signs that represent much more complex terms.

Authors and main works of neoclassical literature

Neoclassical literature left a legacy of works and authors that even today continue to influence new generations. The most relevant characteristics of the main representatives are described below:

Jean-Baptiste Poquelin

Also known as Moliere, he was a French writer who served as a writer, actor, and lawyer.

His most famous work is Tartuffe, considered one of the most controversial for mocking the wealthy class.

Alexander Pope

He was an English writer. Pope is one of the most important authors of neoclassical literature thanks to works such as The Rape of the Lock and An essay on criticism, although he became recognized with the translation he made of the Iliad.

Johnathan swift

Author of the play Gulliver's Travels, which tells the adventures of the main character, Lemuel Gulliver. This title also served as a critique of British politics and society.

Daniel Defoe

He is the writer behind Robinson Crusoe, a sailor who decides to deny his family and decides to sail the seas with a spirit of adventure.

This play has all the elements of an epic: a hero, a rough journey, separation from home, and a series of battles.

Samuel Johnson

His name was taken to name one of the eras of Neoclassicism thanks to his contributions in poetry, journalism and translation.

He was the writer of the Dictionary of English Lenguage, one of the most important resources on English grammar.

References

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