Some Important Short Notes On "The Classical Age (1700-1745)"

"The Classical Age (1700-1745)"

The Classical  Age (1700-1745) consists mainly of The Rape of the Lock, Gulliver's Travels, The Classical Age Or ,The Augustan Age Or, The of Pope, Pamela, Robinson Crusoe, Classicism, Neo-classicism, The Spectator,  Satire  etc. Here, these things are discussed in small areas. 

The Rape of the Lock

"The Rape of the Lock" is one of the finest poems in English literature written by Alexander Pope. It was first published in 1712 and then published in an enlarged form in 1714. It is based on an actual incident. The incident is that a nobleman cuts off a lock a lady's hair. It creates bitterness between the two families of Mrs. Arabella Fermor and Lord Petre. Pope's friend, John Caryl requested him to compose a poem in order to settle the quarrel between these families. So he has written this poem."The Rape of the Lock" is a mock-heroic poem. The subject-matter of this poem is trivial with grand language and with the treatment of supernatural machinery. The poem is divided into five cantos. Here we find Belinda who is the representative fashionable woman folk in 18th century. It is a true picture of the 18th century London society. The poet has deliciously described how Belinda leads her life and how the Baron cuts off her two beautiful locks. After that he shows how a mighty battle takes place between the group of Belinda and the Baron. He presents and describes the content of the poem in a ludicrous and humorous manner. He criticizes the 18th century fashionable way of life very severely. In fact, Pope demands that "The Rape of the Lock" is an epic. But it is not a real epic. Moreover, it is regarded as a mock-epic which is the masterpiece of the poet.

Gulliver's Travels

Gulliver's Travels is the most famous of all works of Jonathan Swift. The germs of this book has been traced to the celebrated Scriblerus Club which came into existence in the last months of Queen Anne's reign. At that time, Swift Joined with John Arbuthnot, Alexander pope, John Gay and a few other writers in a scheme to ridicule all false tastes in learning. The full title of Gulliver's Travels is Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World in Four Parts by Lemuel Gulliver, first a Surgeon, and then a Captain of Several Ships. The book was published anonymously by the end of October in 1726. It was published negotiating with the publishers having been carried on by Swift's friends, Charles Ford and Erasmas Lewis. The book is written into parts. They are---(i) Part-I:  A  Voyage to Lilliput.(ii) Part-II:  A Voyage to Brobdingnag.(iii) Part-III: A Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, Glubbdubdrib,Luggnagg and Japan.(iv) Part-IV: A Voyage to the Country of Houyhnhnms.Gulliver's Travels has not only become a classic as a satire on the human race but also classic as a Children's book. Swift says that the object of this book is to vex the world. The book is an allegorical satire intended to instruct mankind. Its appeal is immense and permanent.

The Classical Age Or, The Augustan Age or, The Age of Pope

In the history of English literature, the time span from 1700-1745 is regarded as the Classical Age. Because the writers of this period demanded that they were the classics of English literature. They believed that the works of those writers of classical antiquity presented the best of models and the ultimate standards of literary taste. Moreover, they did not believe in the inspiration of the individual genius like the Latin writers. They felt that the best poetry was the product of the rules and laws by the authority of the past. As a result, in the literature of the period intelligence rather than imagination was the important guidance of artistic genius. The literature became didactic and satiric. In poetry, the establishment of a highly artificial and conventional style was common. Classical decorations were employed by the writers. Most of the writings of this age are in prose. The age is the called age of reason and satire.Classic refers of Greek and Roman literature or any literature that possesses the qualities of Greek and Roman literature. The Classical Age has another name and it is the Augustan Age. Because the writers of this period imitated the style and elegance of the writers who wrote in Italy during the reign of the Emperor Augustus (17 B.C-14 A.D.). This span of time is also called the Age of Pope. Because Alexander Pope was the chief exponent of imitating Augustan literature. During these years, England was ruled by Queen Anne (1702-1714),George-I (1714-1727) and George-II (17-27-1760). The first English daily newspaper, The Daily Courant appeared in London in 1702. A great number of coffee-houses, pubs and clubs was multiplied. Pope, Jonathan Swift, Joseph Addison, Richard Steele, Daniel Defoe, Samuel Richardson and Henry Fielding are famous writers of this period.

Pamela

Pamela is regarded as the first modern novel written by Samuel Richardson. It was published in 1741. Richardson was asked to prepare a series of model letters for those who could not write for themselves.The subtitle of the novel is Virtue Rewarded. Richardson heard a story from some acquaintance of his youth of a Mr.B, the owner of a great house Mr. B married a beautiful and virtuous young lady, among them one of his mother's maids. After his mother's death, the young squire had tried by all manner of temptations to seduce the girl. But the maid had recourse to as many innocent stratagems to save herself. With little modification, Richardson has written his Pamela. In this novel,Pamela is a virtuous maid servant. She resists the attempts at seduction of the son of her late mistress.At last, the squire offers her marriage which she gladly accepts. His sensibilities are touched by her piety courage and other virtues. In fact, Richardson gives to the English novel a psychological depth. He prepares it for the psychological realism of the 19th century novel. His technique of writing and manner of narration gives him an established place in the history of English literature.

Robinson Crusoe

Robinson Crusoe is a famous novel by Daniel Defoe. The full name of the novel is The Life and Strange Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe of York, Mariner. The novel presents a hairsplitting adventure story of Robinson Crusoe. Captured at sea by the pirates Crusoe is wrecked off the South American Coast on a desert island. He is clever and resolute. He builds himself living quarters and cultivates food. He brings some useful items from the shipwreck. After 17 lonely years, he finds a footprint in the sand. In the 24th year of hi enforced isolation, he rescues a victim of the cannibals and names him Friday.Robinson Crusoe is symbolic and has several allegories. Political and religious allegories are remarkable. In the novel, Dofoe has characterized almost all the characters according to the name of their profession. The novel represents crime, sin, punishment and repentance. The universal appeal of the book springs from the struggle of a solitary individual to survive in the middle of hostile surroundings. Crusoe is industrious, clever, practical and pious. He triumphs over surroundings, practical genius and self-reliance. He represents the whole human society. Because he does everything that he needs. He is the prudential hero. He is sober,prudent, and wise merchant engaged in business enterprise. However, the book, Robinson Crusoe is written in the plain, lucid and colloquial prose. It seems to want of the features of a novel, yet its realism and prose style entitle it to the claim of being the first English novel.

Classicism

Classicism is a doctrine of art and literature which was followed by the ancient Greeks and Romans. It is a discussing and ultimately judging a literary work. It is a literary work in terms of principles derived from admired qualities in the classics of Greek and Roman literature. It is opposite to romanticism. The main features of classicism are---(i)  Restrain or control over imagination,(ii)  Predominance of reason over emotion,(iii) Clarity, simplicity and balance,(iv) Respect for tradition and (v) Precision.In the history of English literature, classicism seems to be traced in the works of 18th century writers. But they were self-declared classicists. They thought that they were classics in English literature. On the contrary, they were greatly satirists. They were neo-classicists. But classicism is evident in the works of Shakespeare, Jane Austen and Milton.

Neo-classicism

Neo-classicism is the dominant literary movement in England during the late 17th century and the 18th century. This movement sought to revive the artistic ideals of classical Greece and Rome. Actually, Neo means "False" or Pseudo ". In the year of (1660-1785), the writets imitated the ancient Greek and Roman literary tradition. But they lacked the originality of the writers of that period. Artificiality, order, logic and elegance of diction were the main characteristics of the writings of that period. Satire, essay, parody, and burlesque were the main forms of writing. In poetry, heroic couple was the most popular verse form. John Dryden, Joseph Addison, Alexander Pope, Jonathan Swift and ,Dr. Samuel Johnson were the important neo-classical writers.

 The Spectator 

" The Spectator made a mark in English literature and fixed a form which was adopted with servile fidelity by many periodicals till the end of the century ", says an eminent critic. The Spectator is the name of a remarkable journal in the 18th century English literature. It is a joint venture of Joseph Addison and Richard Steele. It began in March 1, 1710. It carried the tendency still further. It was Addison who dominated the journal and imparted to it the peculiar stamp and charm of his personality. It was first published in 1711. ssIt is an important literary name. Indeed it is found endowed with a definite plan. It consists of a series of literary essays. It is concerned with social morals and manners. The aim of The Spectator is clearly and frankly instructive. Addison and Steele are here found to refine and reform the tastes of the contemporary English society through satire. In fact, the essays in The Spectator are social and reformative. In the first paper of The Spectator, Addison gives an account of himself. He has represented himself as Mr.Spectator in one of his essays, " The Spectator's Account of Himself ". It ran for 555 numbers and continued until December 6, 1712. Then it appeared daily in the same year.

Satire

Satire is an attack on the follies and frailties of the society or man with the noble intention of perfection. In other words, itvis a literary attack on the follies and vices of an individual or a society with a view to correcting them through laughter and ridicule. So its chief purpose is ethically or aesthetically corrective. It is generally motivated by a desire to reform. In this sense, satire is a powerful weapon in the hands of a writer. It may be in prose or in verse. Satire is of two kinds----(i) Formal satire or direct satire and(ii) Informal or indirect satire.A formal satire is one which is not mixed with other genres. Again, it may be of two types--(i) Horatian satire, the mild and sophisticated literary attack and (ii) Juvenalian satire, the severe and indignant attack An informal satire is a satire which is presented in the form of another genre. It may be presented in the form of allegory. It also may be satiric epic or mock-epic, satiric comedy, satiric verse, satiric novel, satiric essay and satiric travelogue. Dryden's "Absalom and Achitophel", Pope's "The Rape of the Lock" Swift's Gulliver's Travels, Orwell's Animal Farm and Addison's "Essays" are the notable example of indirect satires.

Some Important Short Notes On "The Classical Age (1700-1745)"

Green Land | September 03, 2018 | 1comments

"The Classical Age (1700-1745)"

The Classical  Age (1700-1745) consists mainly of The Rape of the Lock, Gulliver's Travels, The Classical Age Or ,The Augustan Age Or, The of Pope, Pamela, Robinson Crusoe, Classicism, Neo-classicism, The Spectator,  Satire  etc. Here, these things are discussed in small areas. 

The Rape of the Lock

"The Rape of the Lock" is one of the finest poems in English literature written by Alexander Pope. It was first published in 1712 and then published in an enlarged form in 1714. It is based on an actual incident. The incident is that a nobleman cuts off a lock a lady's hair. It creates bitterness between the two families of Mrs. Arabella Fermor and Lord Petre. Pope's friend, John Caryl requested him to compose a poem in order to settle the quarrel between these families. So he has written this poem."The Rape of the Lock" is a mock-heroic poem. The subject-matter of this poem is trivial with grand language and with the treatment of supernatural machinery. The poem is divided into five cantos. Here we find Belinda who is the representative fashionable woman folk in 18th century. It is a true picture of the 18th century London society. The poet has deliciously described how Belinda leads her life and how the Baron cuts off her two beautiful locks. After that he shows how a mighty battle takes place between the group of Belinda and the Baron. He presents and describes the content of the poem in a ludicrous and humorous manner. He criticizes the 18th century fashionable way of life very severely. In fact, Pope demands that "The Rape of the Lock" is an epic. But it is not a real epic. Moreover, it is regarded as a mock-epic which is the masterpiece of the poet.

Gulliver's Travels

Gulliver's Travels is the most famous of all works of Jonathan Swift. The germs of this book has been traced to the celebrated Scriblerus Club which came into existence in the last months of Queen Anne's reign. At that time, Swift Joined with John Arbuthnot, Alexander pope, John Gay and a few other writers in a scheme to ridicule all false tastes in learning. The full title of Gulliver's Travels is Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World in Four Parts by Lemuel Gulliver, first a Surgeon, and then a Captain of Several Ships. The book was published anonymously by the end of October in 1726. It was published negotiating with the publishers having been carried on by Swift's friends, Charles Ford and Erasmas Lewis. The book is written into parts. They are---(i) Part-I:  A  Voyage to Lilliput.(ii) Part-II:  A Voyage to Brobdingnag.(iii) Part-III: A Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, Glubbdubdrib,Luggnagg and Japan.(iv) Part-IV: A Voyage to the Country of Houyhnhnms.Gulliver's Travels has not only become a classic as a satire on the human race but also classic as a Children's book. Swift says that the object of this book is to vex the world. The book is an allegorical satire intended to instruct mankind. Its appeal is immense and permanent.

The Classical Age Or, The Augustan Age or, The Age of Pope

In the history of English literature, the time span from 1700-1745 is regarded as the Classical Age. Because the writers of this period demanded that they were the classics of English literature. They believed that the works of those writers of classical antiquity presented the best of models and the ultimate standards of literary taste. Moreover, they did not believe in the inspiration of the individual genius like the Latin writers. They felt that the best poetry was the product of the rules and laws by the authority of the past. As a result, in the literature of the period intelligence rather than imagination was the important guidance of artistic genius. The literature became didactic and satiric. In poetry, the establishment of a highly artificial and conventional style was common. Classical decorations were employed by the writers. Most of the writings of this age are in prose. The age is the called age of reason and satire.Classic refers of Greek and Roman literature or any literature that possesses the qualities of Greek and Roman literature. The Classical Age has another name and it is the Augustan Age. Because the writers of this period imitated the style and elegance of the writers who wrote in Italy during the reign of the Emperor Augustus (17 B.C-14 A.D.). This span of time is also called the Age of Pope. Because Alexander Pope was the chief exponent of imitating Augustan literature. During these years, England was ruled by Queen Anne (1702-1714),George-I (1714-1727) and George-II (17-27-1760). The first English daily newspaper, The Daily Courant appeared in London in 1702. A great number of coffee-houses, pubs and clubs was multiplied. Pope, Jonathan Swift, Joseph Addison, Richard Steele, Daniel Defoe, Samuel Richardson and Henry Fielding are famous writers of this period.

Pamela

Pamela is regarded as the first modern novel written by Samuel Richardson. It was published in 1741. Richardson was asked to prepare a series of model letters for those who could not write for themselves.The subtitle of the novel is Virtue Rewarded. Richardson heard a story from some acquaintance of his youth of a Mr.B, the owner of a great house Mr. B married a beautiful and virtuous young lady, among them one of his mother's maids. After his mother's death, the young squire had tried by all manner of temptations to seduce the girl. But the maid had recourse to as many innocent stratagems to save herself. With little modification, Richardson has written his Pamela. In this novel,Pamela is a virtuous maid servant. She resists the attempts at seduction of the son of her late mistress.At last, the squire offers her marriage which she gladly accepts. His sensibilities are touched by her piety courage and other virtues. In fact, Richardson gives to the English novel a psychological depth. He prepares it for the psychological realism of the 19th century novel. His technique of writing and manner of narration gives him an established place in the history of English literature.

Robinson Crusoe

Robinson Crusoe is a famous novel by Daniel Defoe. The full name of the novel is The Life and Strange Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe of York, Mariner. The novel presents a hairsplitting adventure story of Robinson Crusoe. Captured at sea by the pirates Crusoe is wrecked off the South American Coast on a desert island. He is clever and resolute. He builds himself living quarters and cultivates food. He brings some useful items from the shipwreck. After 17 lonely years, he finds a footprint in the sand. In the 24th year of hi enforced isolation, he rescues a victim of the cannibals and names him Friday.Robinson Crusoe is symbolic and has several allegories. Political and religious allegories are remarkable. In the novel, Dofoe has characterized almost all the characters according to the name of their profession. The novel represents crime, sin, punishment and repentance. The universal appeal of the book springs from the struggle of a solitary individual to survive in the middle of hostile surroundings. Crusoe is industrious, clever, practical and pious. He triumphs over surroundings, practical genius and self-reliance. He represents the whole human society. Because he does everything that he needs. He is the prudential hero. He is sober,prudent, and wise merchant engaged in business enterprise. However, the book, Robinson Crusoe is written in the plain, lucid and colloquial prose. It seems to want of the features of a novel, yet its realism and prose style entitle it to the claim of being the first English novel.

Classicism

Classicism is a doctrine of art and literature which was followed by the ancient Greeks and Romans. It is a discussing and ultimately judging a literary work. It is a literary work in terms of principles derived from admired qualities in the classics of Greek and Roman literature. It is opposite to romanticism. The main features of classicism are---(i)  Restrain or control over imagination,(ii)  Predominance of reason over emotion,(iii) Clarity, simplicity and balance,(iv) Respect for tradition and (v) Precision.In the history of English literature, classicism seems to be traced in the works of 18th century writers. But they were self-declared classicists. They thought that they were classics in English literature. On the contrary, they were greatly satirists. They were neo-classicists. But classicism is evident in the works of Shakespeare, Jane Austen and Milton.

Neo-classicism

Neo-classicism is the dominant literary movement in England during the late 17th century and the 18th century. This movement sought to revive the artistic ideals of classical Greece and Rome. Actually, Neo means "False" or Pseudo ". In the year of (1660-1785), the writets imitated the ancient Greek and Roman literary tradition. But they lacked the originality of the writers of that period. Artificiality, order, logic and elegance of diction were the main characteristics of the writings of that period. Satire, essay, parody, and burlesque were the main forms of writing. In poetry, heroic couple was the most popular verse form. John Dryden, Joseph Addison, Alexander Pope, Jonathan Swift and ,Dr. Samuel Johnson were the important neo-classical writers.

 The Spectator 

" The Spectator made a mark in English literature and fixed a form which was adopted with servile fidelity by many periodicals till the end of the century ", says an eminent critic. The Spectator is the name of a remarkable journal in the 18th century English literature. It is a joint venture of Joseph Addison and Richard Steele. It began in March 1, 1710. It carried the tendency still further. It was Addison who dominated the journal and imparted to it the peculiar stamp and charm of his personality. It was first published in 1711. ssIt is an important literary name. Indeed it is found endowed with a definite plan. It consists of a series of literary essays. It is concerned with social morals and manners. The aim of The Spectator is clearly and frankly instructive. Addison and Steele are here found to refine and reform the tastes of the contemporary English society through satire. In fact, the essays in The Spectator are social and reformative. In the first paper of The Spectator, Addison gives an account of himself. He has represented himself as Mr.Spectator in one of his essays, " The Spectator's Account of Himself ". It ran for 555 numbers and continued until December 6, 1712. Then it appeared daily in the same year.

Satire

Satire is an attack on the follies and frailties of the society or man with the noble intention of perfection. In other words, itvis a literary attack on the follies and vices of an individual or a society with a view to correcting them through laughter and ridicule. So its chief purpose is ethically or aesthetically corrective. It is generally motivated by a desire to reform. In this sense, satire is a powerful weapon in the hands of a writer. It may be in prose or in verse. Satire is of two kinds----(i) Formal satire or direct satire and(ii) Informal or indirect satire.A formal satire is one which is not mixed with other genres. Again, it may be of two types--(i) Horatian satire, the mild and sophisticated literary attack and (ii) Juvenalian satire, the severe and indignant attack An informal satire is a satire which is presented in the form of another genre. It may be presented in the form of allegory. It also may be satiric epic or mock-epic, satiric comedy, satiric verse, satiric novel, satiric essay and satiric travelogue. Dryden's "Absalom and Achitophel", Pope's "The Rape of the Lock" Swift's Gulliver's Travels, Orwell's Animal Farm and Addison's "Essays" are the notable example of indirect satires.

Important Short Notes , The Classical Age

 The Classical Age is rightly considered to be the age of prose and reason. The literary ideals of this period are more suited to the development of prose than poetry. The scrupulous searching for perfection in the matter of style and expression and appeal to the intellect or reason rather than emotion or passion were the main literary ideals. In this respect, Matthew Arnold says, "Our age of prose and reason......our excellent and indispensable 18h century. Actually, the prose of the Classical Period is a continuation of the prose of Dryden and the Restoration Period.The spread of science and the spirit of commonsense account for the development of prose. The influence of France is also responsible for the growth of intimate and vigorous prose of the time . The prose of the age was used to express the intelligence and merits.  Addison Steele, Defoe, Swift and Dr. Samuel Johnson are the famous prose writers. They have made the prose a more conscious and refined art. They foreshadow the ear of modern prose.

In the history of English literature, the names of Joseph Addison and Sir Richard Steele always go together. Because they were two friends. In 1711, they started a daily called The  spectator. This daily was a very popular and exercised a great .  influence on the reading public. Addison soon became the dominating spirit behind the paper. He wrote 274 essays out of a total of 555. His genius is best illustrated in the pages of the journal. In this respect, Courthope, his biographer, says "Addison may be said to have almost created and wholly perfected English prose as an instrument for the excretion of social thought." The essays of Addison are frankly didactic in spirit and purpose. They were written to reform the contemporary manners and morals. In this regard. Addison himself says. "I have brought philosophy out of the closet and libraries, schools and colleges to dwell at tea tables and coffeehouses"  His essays are on an endless variety of subjects and manners.Story, allegory, character-sketches are found plentifully in them. 

Both Aiddison and Steele have formed an imaginary club named The Specitator Club". There are many members of his club. Sir Roger de Coverley is one of the main members of the club. He is an imaginary eccentric country-knight. He is created by Steele and fully developed by Addison. He is the leading figure in The Coverley Papers which is a collection of essays relating to Sir Roger. The essays published in this book contain the raw materials of the novel. There is no doubt that they pave the path for the English novel. In other words, they foreshadow the English novel. lt is also said that if the essays are collected systematically they can form an excellent domestic novel. In style, Addison is great. He is different from Bacon, Milton and Hooker in this respect. Because their prose was ornate, rich in colour and eloquence. But the essays published in The Tatler and The Spectator are simple, limpid, clear, flexible and full of conversational ease. They are never obscure. They have a curious air of modernity. Dr. Johnson has praised the prose style of Addison. Generally, Steele is compared with Addison. He brings to the work a wide esperience of life, broad sympathies and genial humour. His pathos is more attractive and humane. Like Addison his syle is spontaneous, fresh and colloquial.

Daniel Defoe is one of the famous prose writers in the Classical Age. He has also composed some pamphlets. He is better known as the author of the famous Robinson Crusoe which is a pioneer work in novel writing. His imagination is realistic. He gives life and reality to his fictions by means of vivid details. The atmosphere of illusion is gripping. His interest in contemporary life is unbounded. This accounts for the wonderful variety of situations and characters make up his fictional work. His prose style is unpolished but vigorous.It has a colloquial vocabulary which makes it ideal for his purpose of narrative

Jonathan Swift is perhaps the greatest writer of the  Classical Age by the force of his genius. Concern for art or form is not his main concern. He carries the rational criticism of contemporary life to the dangerous point of misanthropy. His life itself was a tragic one for various reasons. This left its impression on his literary works. His first great work is the  Battle of Books. The book deals with the academic controversy of modern versus ancient writers. It is in an allegorical setting. The handling is vigorous and illuminating. The fable of the bee and spider at the end is quite interesting. A Tale of a Tub is one of the fiercest satires in the English language. It is a savage attack on the churches. Its irony is deadly. Its cynicism is oppressive. Its style has a sustained vigour, peace and colorfulness.Gulliver's Travels is the most popular work of Swift. Its narrative quality is in the manner of Robinson Crusoe. It has also allegorical significance. But it is regarded as one of the most interesting story books for the children and the adult. The prose style of Swift is simple, vigorous and straight forward. So Swift is still a living influence.

Other prose writers of the classical age are john arbuthnot, Lord Bolinghroke, George Barkley, Lady Mary Montague and the Earl of Shaftsbury. They have wntten many important prose writings. Thus we can say with the voice of Arnold that the 18h century is pre-eminently an age of prose and reason. In his Study of Poetry", he examines the poetry of the 18th century with special reference to the poetry of Dryden and Pope. He does not regard them as poetical classics, In his view, they are great classics of prose and not of poetry. He also establishes the point that Dryden is the father of modern  English prose. His prose is the prose which we can put to everyday use. It is immensely superior to the prose of Milton. After the Restoration, there was an urgent need of a fit prose. Such type of prose would be fit for the common purpose of life. Pope has writen some poetical essays. He successfully employs heroic couplet in his poems. Dryden is his poetic father in this respect. Their poetry is regarded as the builders of an age of prose and reason. 

Thus Arnold is right in regarding the 18th century as indispensable. He is also right in calling it an age of prose and reason. The Classical Age was the age that reason and good sense were exalted of the expense of emotion and imagination. This emphasis on reason was necessary to correct the fantastic excesses of the Metaphysical and other poets. It resulted in unprecedented developments in the fields of science and philosophy. It will not be an exaggeration if we call this period as the period of reason and satire.

What is Classical age? The age of prose and reason - literaturemini

Literaturemini | August 11, 2018 | 0 comments

 The Classical Age is rightly considered to be the age of prose and reason. The literary ideals of this period are more suited to the development of prose than poetry. The scrupulous searching for perfection in the matter of style and expression and appeal to the intellect or reason rather than emotion or passion were the main literary ideals. In this respect, Matthew Arnold says, "Our age of prose and reason......our excellent and indispensable 18h century. Actually, the prose of the Classical Period is a continuation of the prose of Dryden and the Restoration Period.The spread of science and the spirit of commonsense account for the development of prose. The influence of France is also responsible for the growth of intimate and vigorous prose of the time . The prose of the age was used to express the intelligence and merits.  Addison Steele, Defoe, Swift and Dr. Samuel Johnson are the famous prose writers. They have made the prose a more conscious and refined art. They foreshadow the ear of modern prose.

In the history of English literature, the names of Joseph Addison and Sir Richard Steele always go together. Because they were two friends. In 1711, they started a daily called The  spectator. This daily was a very popular and exercised a great .  influence on the reading public. Addison soon became the dominating spirit behind the paper. He wrote 274 essays out of a total of 555. His genius is best illustrated in the pages of the journal. In this respect, Courthope, his biographer, says "Addison may be said to have almost created and wholly perfected English prose as an instrument for the excretion of social thought." The essays of Addison are frankly didactic in spirit and purpose. They were written to reform the contemporary manners and morals. In this regard. Addison himself says. "I have brought philosophy out of the closet and libraries, schools and colleges to dwell at tea tables and coffeehouses"  His essays are on an endless variety of subjects and manners.Story, allegory, character-sketches are found plentifully in them. 

Both Aiddison and Steele have formed an imaginary club named The Specitator Club". There are many members of his club. Sir Roger de Coverley is one of the main members of the club. He is an imaginary eccentric country-knight. He is created by Steele and fully developed by Addison. He is the leading figure in The Coverley Papers which is a collection of essays relating to Sir Roger. The essays published in this book contain the raw materials of the novel. There is no doubt that they pave the path for the English novel. In other words, they foreshadow the English novel. lt is also said that if the essays are collected systematically they can form an excellent domestic novel. In style, Addison is great. He is different from Bacon, Milton and Hooker in this respect. Because their prose was ornate, rich in colour and eloquence. But the essays published in The Tatler and The Spectator are simple, limpid, clear, flexible and full of conversational ease. They are never obscure. They have a curious air of modernity. Dr. Johnson has praised the prose style of Addison. Generally, Steele is compared with Addison. He brings to the work a wide esperience of life, broad sympathies and genial humour. His pathos is more attractive and humane. Like Addison his syle is spontaneous, fresh and colloquial.

Daniel Defoe is one of the famous prose writers in the Classical Age. He has also composed some pamphlets. He is better known as the author of the famous Robinson Crusoe which is a pioneer work in novel writing. His imagination is realistic. He gives life and reality to his fictions by means of vivid details. The atmosphere of illusion is gripping. His interest in contemporary life is unbounded. This accounts for the wonderful variety of situations and characters make up his fictional work. His prose style is unpolished but vigorous.It has a colloquial vocabulary which makes it ideal for his purpose of narrative

Jonathan Swift is perhaps the greatest writer of the  Classical Age by the force of his genius. Concern for art or form is not his main concern. He carries the rational criticism of contemporary life to the dangerous point of misanthropy. His life itself was a tragic one for various reasons. This left its impression on his literary works. His first great work is the  Battle of Books. The book deals with the academic controversy of modern versus ancient writers. It is in an allegorical setting. The handling is vigorous and illuminating. The fable of the bee and spider at the end is quite interesting. A Tale of a Tub is one of the fiercest satires in the English language. It is a savage attack on the churches. Its irony is deadly. Its cynicism is oppressive. Its style has a sustained vigour, peace and colorfulness.Gulliver's Travels is the most popular work of Swift. Its narrative quality is in the manner of Robinson Crusoe. It has also allegorical significance. But it is regarded as one of the most interesting story books for the children and the adult. The prose style of Swift is simple, vigorous and straight forward. So Swift is still a living influence.

Other prose writers of the classical age are john arbuthnot, Lord Bolinghroke, George Barkley, Lady Mary Montague and the Earl of Shaftsbury. They have wntten many important prose writings. Thus we can say with the voice of Arnold that the 18h century is pre-eminently an age of prose and reason. In his Study of Poetry", he examines the poetry of the 18th century with special reference to the poetry of Dryden and Pope. He does not regard them as poetical classics, In his view, they are great classics of prose and not of poetry. He also establishes the point that Dryden is the father of modern  English prose. His prose is the prose which we can put to everyday use. It is immensely superior to the prose of Milton. After the Restoration, there was an urgent need of a fit prose. Such type of prose would be fit for the common purpose of life. Pope has writen some poetical essays. He successfully employs heroic couplet in his poems. Dryden is his poetic father in this respect. Their poetry is regarded as the builders of an age of prose and reason. 

Thus Arnold is right in regarding the 18th century as indispensable. He is also right in calling it an age of prose and reason. The Classical Age was the age that reason and good sense were exalted of the expense of emotion and imagination. This emphasis on reason was necessary to correct the fantastic excesses of the Metaphysical and other poets. It resulted in unprecedented developments in the fields of science and philosophy. It will not be an exaggeration if we call this period as the period of reason and satire.

The Classical Age

Discuss the main trends of the Classical Age focusing on the satirical tone of Alexander Pope and Jonathan Swift

 Trends of the Classical Age 

In the history of English literature, the time span from 1700-1745 is regarded as the Classical Age. Because the writers of this period demanded that they were the classics of English literature. They believed that the works of those writers of classical antiquity presented the best of models and the ultimate standards of literary taste.  This article mainly focus on main trends of classical age focusing on the satirical tone of Alexander Pope and Jonathan Swift. Moreover they did not believe in the inspiration of the individual genius like the Latin writers. They felt that the best poetry was the product of the rules and laws by the authority of the past. As a result, in the literature of the period intelligence rather than imagination was the important guidance of artistic genius. The literature became didactic and satiric. In poetry, the establishment of a highly artificial and conventional style was common. Classical decorations were employed by the writers. Most of the writings of this age are in prose. The age is called the age of reason and satire.

The poetry in the Classical Age is about the aristocratic and fashionable upper circles of the city of London, The writers  claim to follow "nature". But the nature they follow is "human nature" as revealed by the fashionable and aristocratic society of London. Classical poetry deals with the trivial subjects. Decorated drawing rooms, vices, frivolities and follies of the belles and beaux are selected for the subject-matter for poetry. The life of coffeehouses and clubs and the arificial manners and fashions of the courtly circles become dominant in it. Heroic couplet and satire are main weapons in writing. Poetry in this age does not deal with "nature" that fascinates us in Wordsworth and Shelley. Dryden and Pope have no love for the world of leaves and flowers. 

Drama and epic, the grandest forms of poetry, were beyond the reach of the writers of this period. They lacked lyric intensity and could not write lyrics. They excel only in one kind of poetry and it is undoubtedly satiric. But such poetry is certainly not the highest or the best kind of poetry. This prevalent tendency to satire results from the unfortunate union of politics with literature. Nearly every writer of the day was used by the Two political parties to throw satires over the heads  of each other. No doubt, the satires of Dryden, Pope, Swift and Addison have rare brilliance. They are the best in the language but they cannot be called great literature. These giants were capable of far better things that those which occupied them all their live.

Heroic couplet is the only verse-form which they perfected and in which they excelled. It was used with rare brilliance and effect for satirical and intellectual poetry. In the hands of Pope it acquired a perfection and correctness. But his poetic father is Dryden. But excessive refinement led to monotony and rigidity in the hands of the followers of Pope. Their language and diction is highly artificial. Personification, circumlocution, Latinism etc. are frequently used to achieve elevation and dignity.

Alexander Pope is a great satirist in the Classical Age. The Rapè of the Lock" is his first satire. It is a social satire as well as a mock epic. It is a mocking poem in which the poet mocks not only at the little unguarded follies of the fair sex but at the artificial social life of 18th century London as a whole. The fashion, the artificiality, the vanity and frivolity of the age are exposed and ridiculed with the firm grasp of a master. "The piece sparkles in every line. The touch is never too heavy,an air of gay good humour is preserved throughout." says an eminent critic. 

The Moral Essays" and "Satires and Epistles" are the final and crowning efforts of the poet's satiric genius. They contain his finest workmanship as a satirist. They will be read with more pleasure than "The Dunciad". In The Epistle to Mr. Fortesque". Pope boldly satirizes corruption in high places. We know that he never flattered like Dryden. In fact, he was much more independent. He was never afraid to write with exemplary fearlessness. He lashes vice and fosters virtue.His  special talent was in satiric portraiture. 

Swift is the greatest of prose-satirists in the English language. Although he was sometimes provoked into exposing the individual, his satire is more often general than personal. A Tale of a Tub is one of those books which is more fun to write than to read. It is obviously characteristic of the Rabelaisian side of Swift. But it is not at all typical of his satire as a whole. In The Battle of Books, the satire is both general and personal.  This is a highly successful exercise in belittlement effectively ridiculing a literary controversy. Swift's aim here is almost purely destructive. His intention is much more to expose Bentley and Wotten than to take sides with the Ancients against the Moderns. He pronounces upon the issue in the fable of the spider and the bee. But his essential purpose is to make the whole controversy appear trivial, a mere battle of the books.

Swift's best satire is Gulliver's Travels. It is a book of travels to strange lands of pygmies, giants, and horses. His purpose was to expose the vices and follies of mankind by ridiculing them. Man is reduced to the shortness of the Lilliputians. He is magnified into the gross Brobdingnagians. He is contrasted with the equal virtues of the Houyhnhnms. The effectiveness of such a satire depends on the invention with which these strange worlds are made praiseworthy. lt depends on the precision with which the irony makes evident the likeness between the real world and the imaginary. So successful was Swift's invention that ever since the book was published. Children have read the voyages to Lilliput and Brobdingnag as fairy stories without worrying about the satire. So effective is the irony that Gulliver's Travels remains one of the most appalling exposures of human weakness.

This will not be an exaggeration if we call the Classical age a period of satire. Pope and Swift have played a very significant role in this respect. They have used satire, irony and humour as the main weapons. The satirical tone in their works is unmistakable. "The Rape of the Lock" is a satire of the fashionable world of the aristocratic society of the 18th century London society. But Gulliver's Travels is a bitter satire on the follies, absurdities and frailties of human being

Discuss the main trends of the Classical Age focusing on the satirical tone of Alexander Pope and Jonathan Swift

Literaturemini | August 11, 2018 | 0 comments

 Trends of the Classical Age 

In the history of English literature, the time span from 1700-1745 is regarded as the Classical Age. Because the writers of this period demanded that they were the classics of English literature. They believed that the works of those writers of classical antiquity presented the best of models and the ultimate standards of literary taste.  This article mainly focus on main trends of classical age focusing on the satirical tone of Alexander Pope and Jonathan Swift. Moreover they did not believe in the inspiration of the individual genius like the Latin writers. They felt that the best poetry was the product of the rules and laws by the authority of the past. As a result, in the literature of the period intelligence rather than imagination was the important guidance of artistic genius. The literature became didactic and satiric. In poetry, the establishment of a highly artificial and conventional style was common. Classical decorations were employed by the writers. Most of the writings of this age are in prose. The age is called the age of reason and satire.

The poetry in the Classical Age is about the aristocratic and fashionable upper circles of the city of London, The writers  claim to follow "nature". But the nature they follow is "human nature" as revealed by the fashionable and aristocratic society of London. Classical poetry deals with the trivial subjects. Decorated drawing rooms, vices, frivolities and follies of the belles and beaux are selected for the subject-matter for poetry. The life of coffeehouses and clubs and the arificial manners and fashions of the courtly circles become dominant in it. Heroic couplet and satire are main weapons in writing. Poetry in this age does not deal with "nature" that fascinates us in Wordsworth and Shelley. Dryden and Pope have no love for the world of leaves and flowers. 

Drama and epic, the grandest forms of poetry, were beyond the reach of the writers of this period. They lacked lyric intensity and could not write lyrics. They excel only in one kind of poetry and it is undoubtedly satiric. But such poetry is certainly not the highest or the best kind of poetry. This prevalent tendency to satire results from the unfortunate union of politics with literature. Nearly every writer of the day was used by the Two political parties to throw satires over the heads  of each other. No doubt, the satires of Dryden, Pope, Swift and Addison have rare brilliance. They are the best in the language but they cannot be called great literature. These giants were capable of far better things that those which occupied them all their live.

Heroic couplet is the only verse-form which they perfected and in which they excelled. It was used with rare brilliance and effect for satirical and intellectual poetry. In the hands of Pope it acquired a perfection and correctness. But his poetic father is Dryden. But excessive refinement led to monotony and rigidity in the hands of the followers of Pope. Their language and diction is highly artificial. Personification, circumlocution, Latinism etc. are frequently used to achieve elevation and dignity.

Alexander Pope is a great satirist in the Classical Age. The Rapè of the Lock" is his first satire. It is a social satire as well as a mock epic. It is a mocking poem in which the poet mocks not only at the little unguarded follies of the fair sex but at the artificial social life of 18th century London as a whole. The fashion, the artificiality, the vanity and frivolity of the age are exposed and ridiculed with the firm grasp of a master. "The piece sparkles in every line. The touch is never too heavy,an air of gay good humour is preserved throughout." says an eminent critic. 

The Moral Essays" and "Satires and Epistles" are the final and crowning efforts of the poet's satiric genius. They contain his finest workmanship as a satirist. They will be read with more pleasure than "The Dunciad". In The Epistle to Mr. Fortesque". Pope boldly satirizes corruption in high places. We know that he never flattered like Dryden. In fact, he was much more independent. He was never afraid to write with exemplary fearlessness. He lashes vice and fosters virtue.His  special talent was in satiric portraiture. 

Swift is the greatest of prose-satirists in the English language. Although he was sometimes provoked into exposing the individual, his satire is more often general than personal. A Tale of a Tub is one of those books which is more fun to write than to read. It is obviously characteristic of the Rabelaisian side of Swift. But it is not at all typical of his satire as a whole. In The Battle of Books, the satire is both general and personal.  This is a highly successful exercise in belittlement effectively ridiculing a literary controversy. Swift's aim here is almost purely destructive. His intention is much more to expose Bentley and Wotten than to take sides with the Ancients against the Moderns. He pronounces upon the issue in the fable of the spider and the bee. But his essential purpose is to make the whole controversy appear trivial, a mere battle of the books.

Swift's best satire is Gulliver's Travels. It is a book of travels to strange lands of pygmies, giants, and horses. His purpose was to expose the vices and follies of mankind by ridiculing them. Man is reduced to the shortness of the Lilliputians. He is magnified into the gross Brobdingnagians. He is contrasted with the equal virtues of the Houyhnhnms. The effectiveness of such a satire depends on the invention with which these strange worlds are made praiseworthy. lt depends on the precision with which the irony makes evident the likeness between the real world and the imaginary. So successful was Swift's invention that ever since the book was published. Children have read the voyages to Lilliput and Brobdingnag as fairy stories without worrying about the satire. So effective is the irony that Gulliver's Travels remains one of the most appalling exposures of human weakness.

This will not be an exaggeration if we call the Classical age a period of satire. Pope and Swift have played a very significant role in this respect. They have used satire, irony and humour as the main weapons. The satirical tone in their works is unmistakable. "The Rape of the Lock" is a satire of the fashionable world of the aristocratic society of the 18th century London society. But Gulliver's Travels is a bitter satire on the follies, absurdities and frailties of human being

The Classical Age