Thinking Task of Neo-classical Age

 

Hello readers, 

This blog is based upon Thinking Task of Neo-classical Age assigned by Vaidehi Mam. 

Q - Compare the general characteristics of the Elizabethan age and Neo-classical age.

In the Elizabeth age as well as in Neo-classical age we can find #new classicism. If we look at Elizabethan classicism, the new spark of literature has just been started. They are using it as building the literature of that time. On the other hand in neo- classical period they are quite frigid and limited about rules, moderate opinions,and technique. That's why it known as pseudo-classical age. 

 Abundance of output, as we have pointed out, people started taking interest in literature so that it leads to production of it in Elizabethn age. In neo-classical age #New publishing house emerged due to political rising. First and greatest epoch called romanticism happened in Elizabethn era. On next side in Neo-classical age political background leads to #new morality, because of largely reaction against extreme Puritanism. 

The Drama started rising in Elizabethn age. University wits provide background to Shakespeare to take dive into the realm of drama. Such as Thomas Kyds work The Spanish Tragedy inspire Shakespeare and Marlowe became backbone of Drama. Neo-classical age is also known as "Age of Satire". Alexander Pope, Jonathan Swift, and Daniel Defoe focused upon it and their works make remarks for satire. 

In addition, during Elizabethan realm writers and even poets like Spenser focused upon Kings and queens. Apparently, Prominent writers wrote upon life and incidents of kings and queens like Fairy Queen and Shakespeare's whole series upon Kings. When we take look at neo-classical age writers believed in realism and common man's lives. Even trivial incidents become centre in this era like The Rape of the Lock,  Robinson Crusoe, and Gulliver's Travel etc.  

Moreover, in Elizabethn time heroic themes were associated with works,in the very next age writers focus upon common themes such as outer beauty, religious corruption etc. Queen Elizabeth gave importance to religious tolerance. It leads to serene in this period. On the other hand, Political partis,  Whig and Tory created chaos among the people. So the peace of previous period lost in this age. 

Middle class emerged during the Elizabethan age and it reached at its height in the next age. Queen Elizabeth provides freedom to the writer, but writers most of the time done flattery to her. However, during age of Pope writers openly wrote against authority. With the help of political and periodical writing, they spread wave of rebelion in the air. 

In morden time we see coffee house with different angle. While neo-classical Age it becomes centre for discussing ideas and ideology of that time. We can't see this type of feature in Elizabethn age. 

In sum up, both age has similarities and differences. It can be appear when we compare each other. This comparison provides facts and results of the action. So we can say that If Elizabethn age is the ranaissance of the English literature, neo-classical age is high pick of English literature. 

 

Q: Who is your favorite writer and favorite text from the Neo-Classical Age? How is she or he different from writers of the Elizabethan and Romantic Ages?

Alexander Pope is my favourite writer and his Rape of the Lock is my favourite text. Whole age is named after his name, and this is one reason of choosing him. He is different from Elizabethn writers, because he focuses upon common people,  believing in realism that's why he wrote all realistic things in it. He chooses to write against the religion and politics. This leads him to be different from others. 

In addition, Romantic writers focused upon nature. On the other hand Pope refused the importance of nature. Despite of his time period, he indulges into satirical writing. Constant satire upon elit class and their values makes him favorite figure of this age. 

Q: Describe any one thing about this age that you look up to.

The prevalence of satire is feature that I look up to. For criticising authority, people, and idea we can use it. Now a days it becomes very common. But it was the Neo-Classical age and it's writers along with literature embarked the spark of it. Periodicals and Clubs like Kit-Kat club, Spectator club became seeds for full growing tree of satire. 

PPT :

 

Alexander Pope.pptx from Dhatri Parmar

Work Cited: 

Albert, Edward. A History of English Literature; a Practical Text-Book by Edwardalbert. T.Y. Crowell Co., 1924.