20 Examples of Neoclassical Literature

The neoclassical literature is the set of works that were produced mainly in the eighteenth century, which reflect the ideas of the Enlightenment and whose themes and forms were taken from the classical writings, that is, the Greco-Latin. For example: The Henriade, by Voltaire.

Neoclassicism is an artistic movement that arose in Europe, then developed in America and was influenced by:

• French classicism. This artistic current was characterized by imitating the aesthetic models of classical Antiquity. In literature, the precepts of Boileau were followed, a critic and writer who took up the ideas of Poetics, of Aristotle (Greek philosopher) and of poetic art, by Horace (Roman poet) to define how the poems and the theater plays. For example, one of the precepts stated that art should not be ornamental and complex as in the Baroque, but rather it had to be clear and simple. Neoclassicism used the themes, forms and rules of French classicism to adapt them to its literature.
• Illustration. This cultural movement encompassed different philosophical currents, such as
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  rationalism, who argued that it was necessary to use reason and science to understand and explain the world. These ideas were applied by the neoclassicists, since they considered that only reason could determine how the space should be. art and that literature had the utilitarian functions of moralizing and disseminating objective, universal, secular and TRUE.
• Social, political and economic changes. The bourgeoisie had more and more social and political predominance and began to question the aristocracy, the absolute monarchy and the Catholic Church. These ideas led to the French Revolution. Regarding the economy, thanks to the Industrial Revolution, in the 18th century there was a very high level of production and commercialization of goods and liberalism developed. Since most of the writers were bourgeois, their theories, values and criticism were reflected in the literature.

This combination of the aesthetic norms of the ancients and of French classicism with the ideas of the eighteenth century produced a new definition of art, since a work it had to represent the beautiful (determined by the classical style), the good (bourgeois moral values) and the true (universal, objective and rational).

In the literature, the fable, he rehearsal and philosophical prose, because traditional genres and compositions were not as relevant as in other times.

• See also: Main ideas of the Enlightenment

Characteristics of neoclassical literature

• Topics. The themes are related, on the one hand, to the past, because they include ideas and myths Greco-Latin and, on the other hand, with the values ​​and thought of the 18th century (for example, bourgeois morality, criticism of the Church and the monarchy absolute, self-control, tolerance, law, religious freedom, progress, reason, science, freedom, equality and fraternity). The themes found in neoclassical literature are considered universal and objective truths and allow to establish a model to follow for the whole society. In the texts of this movement there is almost no sentimentality, because it is particular and subjective, nor fantasy or imagination, because they are conceived as implausible.
• Shape. The shape follows the classical rule of order and harmony and is opposed to the artifice and ornamentation of the Baroque. In addition, the compositions of French classicism, the Renaissance and classical Antiquity are taken up again, except for the essay, which is a subgenre invented in Neoclassicism.
• Language. The language is clear, moderate, simple and rational and the syntax It is organized so that ideas can be easily transmitted.
• Style. The style used is the classic one, because it is symmetrical, balanced, proportioned and ordered and because it allows produce mimesis, that is, the correct representation of knowledge and truth without any kind of distortion. Furthermore, it is rational, because it is logical and because, in certain works, it is similar to scientific discourse. In some cases, it can also take on a burlesque or satirical character.
• Aim. The objective of neoclassical art is to moralize and disseminate knowledge, but only that which is considered true, universal, and rational and not that which can change over time. For this reason, literature should only represent and teach Greek themes, rationalist ideas and the values ​​of the bourgeoisie.
• Rhetorical figures. The most used rhetorical figures are those that allow to express the ideas in a simpler way. Therefore, neoclassical literature abounds in the description, he portrait and the prosopopoeia; but others appear very little, such as the metaphor and the adjective.

Genres of neoclassical literature

In neoclassical literature, works of the three literary genres (narrative, dramatic and poetic).

Narrative or prose genre

With respect to narrative genre, there was not much invention in fictional texts, such as the novel and the fable, because the objective was to use them to educate. On the other hand, there was innovation in informative prose, since a new subgenre was developed, the essay.

The narrative subgenres of neoclassical literature are:

• Rehearsal. It is a text that arose in Neoclassicism, in which one or several ideas and that deals with different topics, such as politics, economy, freedom, society and art. For example:Considerations on the causes of the greatness of the Romans and their decline, by Montesquieu.
• Philosophical or informative prose. It is a text that deals with political, economic, rationalist and philosophical ideas and whose objective is to educate in morality, taste, among other topics. For example: The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, by Edward Gibbon.
• Novel. It is an extensive and fictional text that narrates various events and that, in general, in Neoclassicism was used to disseminate philosophical ideas or moral values. For example:The naive, by Voltaire.
• Fable. It is a text of classical origin that can be in prose or in verse and that tells a fictional story with the aim of transmitting a lesson or a moral. For example:The Dove, by Félix María de Samaniego.

Drama

He drama It was rigid and not very innovative, because the plays were written and performed with the aim of transmitting philosophical ideas and to educate people and because each subgenre had specific rules that were generally a copy of the rules classics.

The dramatic subgenres of neoclassical literature are:

• Tragedy. It is a work of classical origin that has a fateful end for the hero. In Neoclassicism it has a didactic objective, since it serves to spread morality and bourgeois values. For example: Idomeneo, by Prosper Jolyot de Crébillon.
• Comedy. It is a work of classical origin that has a pleasant ending, since the protagonist meets his objectives. In Neoclassicism it serves to moralize and spread different topics and, in some cases, it has a satirical and critical tone with certain customs. For example: The yes of the girls, by Leandro Fernández de Moratín.
• bourgeois drama. In a work whose protagonist is a bourgeois and whose objective is to teach how people should be and how they should behave. This subgenre was born in Neoclassicism. For example: Eugénie de Beaumarchais.

poetic genre

In the poetic genre, compositions from French classicism and the Greco-Roman tradition were used and mixed themes from classical Antiquity with others from the 18th century, such as encyclopedism, virtue, morality, ingenuity and science.

In most cases, poetry ceased to be sentimental and became objective and rational with the aim of transmitting universal truths. Therefore, this genre was conceived as a means of knowledge.

The most used poetic compositions in neoclassical literature are:

• Eclogue. It is a poetry in which two characters converse or in which one pronounces a monologue and that, generally, deals with issues related to pastoral life. For example:"Bátilo: eclogue in praise of country life", by Juan Meléndez Valdés.
• burlesque epic poem. It is an extensive poetry in which an epic story is parodied with a humorous tone. For example:"The Theft of the Curl" by Alexander Pope.
• Satire. It is a poetry in which a subject or a character is ironized with the aim of criticizing a way of being or behaving. For example: "To Arnesto", by Gaspar Melchor Jovellanos.
• Ode. It is a poetry in which the author reflects on a philosophical or moral issue. For example: "The Fall" by Giuseppe Parini.
• Elegy. It is a poetry in which lament is expressed for a person or for a subject. For example: "Elegy to the Muses", by Leandro Fernández de Moratín.
• Idyll. It is a poetry in which reflections on various topics are expressed and in which a storyteller tells a story or in which two characters converse in a dialogue. For example:"Leandro and Hero, anacreontic myth", by Ignacio de Luzán.
• Epigram. It is a very short poetry that deals with a single theme and that can have an ironic or moralizing tone. For example: "Epigram V To the same Lady", by León de Arroyal.

Main authors and examples of neoclassical literature

Montesquieu (1689-1755)

He was a French thinker and philosopher who wrote essays and novels on science, law, religious tolerance, politics, among other topics and whose ideas were very important for the Enlightenment.

1. Persian letters. In this epistolary novel two characters reflect on political institutions, law, customs, among others. In addition, it has a satirical and moralizing tone.
2. Law spirit. This essay reflects on politics, law and religion and proposes that the absolute monarchy has to be replaced by a more modern system of government.

Voltaire (1694-1778)

His real name was François-Marie Arouet, he served as a lawyer, philosopher, historian and writer and proposed various ideas, for For example, he argued that politics always had to respect freedom and that language had to be simple in order to spread the word. knowledge.

1. Candide or Optimism. This novel narrates the protagonist's journey and how different experiences change his way of being. In addition, a satire is made to the optimistic ideas of Leibniz.
2. Oedipus. In this tragedy the Greek myth of Oedipus is represented following the classical precepts of the theater and without including many modifications to the plot.

Dennis Diderot (1713-1784)

He was a French writer, philosopher and encyclopedist who made great contributions to the political and scientific theories of the Enlightenment. In addition, he was a promoter of the dissemination of knowledge, since he was in charge of writing and compiling the Encyclopedia, or Reasoned Dictionary of Sciences, Arts and Trades.

1. Rameau's nephew. It is a satirical dialogue between two characters who talk about the customs, art, science, society and politics of the eighteenth century.
2. the natural son. It is a bourgeois drama in which, in addition to telling the story of Dorval, the rules of this incipient theater subgenre, for example, every work has to be credible and must serve to moralize the viewers.

Felix Maria de Samaniego (1745-1801)

He was a Spanish writer who produced moralistic and didactic fables based on the texts of the French novelist and fabulist Jean de La Fontaine and the Greek fabulist Aesop.

1. The Ant and the Grasshopper. It is an adaptation of a fable by Aesop and tells the story of a cicada that has not saved food for the winter and that asks the ant to give him part of her food. The moral of this story is related to the importance of work and responsibility.
2. The fox and the grapes. It is an adaptation of a fable by Aesop and tells the story of a fox who wants to eat the grapes from a tree, but cannot reach them because they are too high up. The moral of this story relates to the importance of persistence.

Tomas de Iriarte (1750-1791)

He was a Spanish writer who made fables, poems and plays with a satirical and moralizing tone.

1. the two rabbits. It is a fable written in verse, which tells the story of two rabbits that are stalked by other animals.
2. the spoiled lady. It is a comedy that tells the story of a young woman who has not had a good upbringing according to the author's opinion. The work has a moralistic purpose on the education of people.

Jonathan Swift (1667-1745)

He was an Irish writer and mainly produced novels, short stories and essays with a satirical tone.

1. Gulliver's Travels. It is a set of four fantastic stories that are narrated by Gulliver and that function as a parody of travel tales and as a satire on politics, science and certain customs.
2. tale of a barrel. It is an extensive tale in which the story of three brothers is narrated and in which literary works and political and religious issues are parodied and satirized.

Alexander Pope (1688-1744)

He was an English writer and translator and produced mainly poetry and essays in verse, for example, "Essay on Criticism", a text in which he defended the rules of Neoclassicism.

1. Excerpt from "Essay on Man"

epistle 1

Of the nature and state of man in relation to the Universe.

He wakes up friend; and generous leaves
The foolish hopes, the whims
From ambition to the vulgar of kings.
And then the breath of life just
It allows us to observe what surrounds us,
And it is extinguished afterwards; come and run
About this quick scene of the man.-
What a maze! you exclaim- But don't think
That lacks a plan. tempting tree
With the beautiful and forbidden fruits of it:
Field of roses between thistles are born.
Let's go through it then; and how much does it show
Upon his face, or within him, his bosom keeps
You will investigate with me, and the tortuous
Paths followed by those who crawl blind,
Or the mad daze of pride
That he loses himself in his false elevation. (…)

1. "Epitaph to Isaac Newton"

Nature and her laws lay hidden in the night;
God said, "Let there be Newton!" and everything was light.

Juan Melendez Valdes (1754-1817)

He was a Spanish writer and politician and mainly made poems with philosophical and moralizing content.

1. "Epigram"

[Time ages women and changes love]

Celia, none to you woman
she couldn't outdo you
not even now can arrive
to which she is Marfisa some.
This, what you will be,
you cannot be what she is;
which is what time runs over.
Love her, love yourself now.

1. Fragment of "The Dove of Philis" (ode)

Others sing of Mars
the struggles and anxieties,
or the merry Bacchus
the feasts and drinks;
temple others tight
of jasmine and rose,
of Love the ardors,
and from Venus the glories.
but i only sing
with sound zither
of my dear Philis
the snowy dove:
his dove, who drinks
a thousand thanks from his mouth,
and on his shoulder she lulls him,
and rests on her lap. (…)

Manuel Jose Quintana (1772-1857)

He was a Spanish writer and made poems and plays that dealt with freedom, the progress, scientific and technological advances, customs, Spanish history, among others topics.

1. Excerpt from "Song"

 O beauty! high gift, rich treasure,
Precious well to the woman guarded,
With more vehemence yearned for
Than the oriental diamond, and more than gold;
Who gave you that power? whose did you have
Heavenly magic? Wherever you want
that you show that light
forever victorious,
Reign and subdue like a lady,
Surrender and captivate is your habit.
See her in the fields of Vertuno and Flora
When she treads them with gallant verve,
And there in pure aromas and in colors
will humble the flowers
Daughters of the sun and students of the dew.
Or if already from the jungle in the gloomy
enclosure, to the hoarse echo
From the resounding snail, the beasts
Flying on his horse rises and fatigues;
They with winged plant flee light
From the swift Nymph, and they flee in vain
The piercing sight of her haunts them,
And the fiery ray burns in her hand.
It burns and bursts; the lead hisses, they fall,
And the echo sounds around. the forest adores
Her beautiful hunter,
Craving proudly that he returns to beat him
The one with her superhuman appeal
It is Flora in the Garden, Cintia in the jungle. (…)

1. Fragment of "To Spain, after the March Revolution"

Tell me, what was the nation that one day
Queen of the world proclaimed destiny,
The one that extended to all areas
Her golden scepter and her divine crest?
He flew to the west
And the vast Atlantic sea strewn
He was in his glory and his fortune.
Wherever Spain wants: in the precious bosom
From America, in Asia, in the confines
From Africa, there Spain. The sovereign
flight of daring fantasy
In order to encompass it he was tired in vain;
The land its miners surrendered to him,
Its pearls and coral the Ocean. (…)

Jose Maria Heredia y Heredia (1803-1839)

He was a Cuban writer, politician, and journalist who wrote poetry, essays, and plays adapting the neoclassical style to American culture.

1. Fragment of "Niagara" (ode)

Tune my lyre, give it to me, I feel
In my shaken and agitated soul
Burn inspiration. Oh! how long
In darkness it passed, without my forehead
Shine with your light!!! rainy niagara,
Your sublime terror could only
Turn me into the divine gift, how cruel
The impious hand robbed me of pain.

Prodigious torrent, calm down, shut up
Your terrifying thunder: dispel a little
The darkness that surrounds you;
Let me contemplate your serene face,
And my soul is filled with burning enthusiasm.
I am worthy of contemplating you: always
The common and petty disdaining,
I yearned for the terrifying and sublime.

When the furious hurricane fell,
When the lightning rumbles on my forehead,
Throbbing I enjoyed: I saw the Ocean,
Whipped by stormy austro,
Fight my vessel, and before my plants
Seething vortex open, and I loved the danger.
More than the sea the fierceness
In my soul did not produce
The deep impression that your greatness. (…)

1. Fragment of "In the Teocalli de Cholula" (ode)

How beautiful is the land they inhabited,
the brave Aztecs! Within it
in a narrow zone concentrated,
with amazement all climates are seen
that there is from the Pole to the Equator. its plains
they cover a pair of golden harvests
delicious reeds. the orange tree
and the pineapple and the ringing banana,
children of the equinoctial soil, mix
to the leafy vine, to the wild pine,
and of Minerva the majestic tree.

Eternal snow crowns heads
from Iztaccihual most pure, Orizaba
and Popocatepetl, without winter,
never touch with destroying hand
the most fertile fields, do ledo
The Indian in light purple looks at them
and tint gold, reflecting the brilliance
of the sun in the west, how serene
in everlasting and perennial greenery
in torrents she poured out her golden light,
and saw Nature moved
with its sweet heat boil in life. (…)

Interactive test to practice

Follow with:

• baroque literature
• modernism literature
• Literature of realism
• magical realism literature
• poems of romanticism
• avant-garde poems

References

• Huertas, a. (2021). Neoclassicism and Romanticism. Humanities Magazine, (1), 29-41. Available in: UES magazine portal
• Iañez, E. (1990). Literature in the 18th century: Enlightenment, Neoclassicism and Pre-romanticism. Tesys/Bosch Editions.