1. Introduction to Neo-
Classicism

2. Why the name?
 Reverence for classical authors
 Imitation of classical forms
 Use of aesthetic principles from classical
authors

3. Views of the world
 Hierarchical: Great Chain of Being
 Humans in the middle
 Especially prominent sin, therefore: pride.

4. View of poetry
 Emphasis on craft
 Decorum
 Poetry is mimesis
 Serves public function
 Poets represent “nature” (what is
permanently true)
 Tends to depict universals & abstractions

5. Different from the Renaissance:
 New (old) forms prominent
 Prosody favors heroic couplets
 Dominant mode is satire

6. Satire complicates things:
 Fits emphasis on pride, but…
 Mock epic, for example: violates
decorum?
 In general, double-edged; undercuts
certitude
 Complex attitude towards authority
 Fits the middle rungs on the Chain

7. Why, historically? Among the
reasons:
 English Civil War: Charles I executed
1649, restoration of Charles II 1660.
 hence "Augustan":
• reigned in ancient Rome after period of chaos
• era of Virgil, Horace, Ovid
• but Augustus was a tyrant