Eighteen Century , Classicism

Age Of  Pope , Or Augustan

-       It is also called (i) the Age of good sense (ii) the age of reason and
(iii) Augustan age.

-       This age can be divided into three distinctive periods:

(i) Dryden period, (ii) Pope period, (iii) Dr. Johnson period.

-       It is called classical age on account of three reasons.

-       The term classics was first applied to the works of he great Greek and Roman writers – like Homer (Greek) and Virgil (Roman).

-       The writers of 18^th Century in England tried to imitate the rules and methods laid by ancient writers, so they bean to be called as Neo-classics.

-       On the second place the Writers of high rank produced the work of great merit in large number so it was called as classical age.

-       In this period there was Abundance of literary productions.

Neo-classics Rebelled against the exaggerated and fantastic style of Elizabethan and Puritans.

-       They were influence by French writers specially Boileau & Rapin

-       They followed classical rules of Horace & Aristotle, but unfortunately they worked on only external performance. They lacked in inner sublimity and grandeur, therefore, their classicism is called Pseudo – classicism, false or sham classicism.

-       In this period Prose occupied the front position.

-       There were Social, political, religious & literary controversies.

-       There was the Development of satire in this period Whigs & Tories were two political parties.

-       There was also the Development of Novel.

-       But this period was Deficient in drama.

-       Poetry became polished witty and artificial but it lacked fire, fine feelings, enthusiasm, and the poetic glow of the Elizabethan age and the moral earnestness of Puritanism.

-       It (poetry) became more interested in the portrayal of actual life like prose, but it lacked in inspiration and imagination.

-       It was no longer used for lofty and sublime purposes; its subject matter became satire and criticism.

-       Two main characteristics of the Restoration period Realism and precision – were carried to further perfection during the eighteen century.

-       Heroic couplet was introduced in poetry.

-       They talked about society rather than individual.

-       They talked about duty rather than desire.

-       They talked about Elite and Aristocratic Class rather than common and rustic people.