The Neoclassical period in English literature can be divided into three stages: the Restoration Period, the Augustan Period, and the Age of Johnson. During this time, there was an emphasis on reason, order, structure, and social needs over individual needs. Writers looked to classical models and focused on imitation, nature, and following strict rules. Some prominent writers from each period include John Dryden, Alexander Pope, and Samuel Johnson. Manners and appearances were important, as was controlling natural passions.

1. Presented by
Nur Jamal Sk
Roll No: 021
M.A. 1st Semester
Bololand University
nurjamalsheikh451@gmail.com

2. Understanding the Neoclassical era helps us better understand its literature. This was
a time of comfortableness in England. People would meet at coffee houses to chat
about politics, among other topics. It was also the beginning of the British tradition of
drinking afternoon tea. And it was also the starting point of the middle class.
People were very interested in appearances, but not necessarily in being genuine. Men
and women commonly wore wigs, and being clever and witty was in vogue. Having
good manners and doing the right thing, particularly in public, was essential.
It was a period where social order was undergoing a tremendous change. In the so-
called Enlightenment Period, people believed that natural passions aren’t necessarily
good; natural passions must be subordinated to social needs and be strictly controlled.
Authors believed that reason was the primary basis of authority. They believed that
social needs are more important than individual needs.

3.  Restoration period (1660 to 1700)
Augustan period (1700 to 1745)
 Age of Johnson ( 1745-1784)

4. As I noted at the beginning, the Neoclassical period
of literature can be divided into three distinct
stages: the Restoration Period, the Augustan
Period, and the Age of Johnson. We will take a
look at some of the prominent writers in each of
these stages.

5. John Dryden: He is the representative
of this period.
William Congreve
John Milton

6.  Alexander Pope: He is the
representative poet of the Augustan Age
Best known for his poems An Essay on
Criticism (1711), The Rape of the Lock
(1712–14), The Dunciad (1728), and An
Essay on Man (1733–34)

7. The later half of the eighteenth century, which was
dominated by Dr. Samuel Johnson, is called
the Age of Johnson.
A Dictionary of the English Language was
published in 1755.

8. Neo classical literature was defined by Common sense, order,
accuracy, and structure
Their characters also practiced conservatism, self control, and
restraint
A large number of literary works came out during this period
which includes parody, etc
Parody
Essays
Satire
Letters
Fables
Melodrama, and
Rhyming with couplets

9. Writers looked back to the ideals and art forms of
classical times
Nature of literature: The neoclassical writers
reaffirmed literary composition as a rational and rule-
bound process, requiring a great deal of craft, labor and
study
Gave more importance to social needs as compared to
individual needs.
They beloved that men can find meaning in society,
religion, natural order government and literature

10. Two of the concepts central to neo classical literary
theory and practice were imitation and nature which
were intimately related
Imitation: The imitation of classical models especially
Homer and Virgil
Nature: the harmonious and hierarchical order of the
universe, including the various asocial and political
hierarchies within the world
Clearly the neoclassical vision of nature was very
different from the meanings later given to it by the
romantics

11. Neoclassical drama falls into two phases-
Restoration Drama (later 17th century)
Sentimental Drama (18th century)
In the Restoration Age, drama rose in the form
of Comedy of Manners. But in the second phase, it
declined as the Elizabethan dramas like those
of Shakespeare were reproduced and age itself did
not produce drama. Thus the decline of drama
happened.

12. Writers started inventing new words and regularising
vocabulary and grammar. Complex bodily
metaphysical language such as Shakespeare used in
his major tragedies was clarified and simplified.
Moreover, the plays of Neoclassical age compared to
those of Shakespeare plays are of single plot-line and
are strictly limited in time and place.

13. The Neoclassical Period in literature brought a sense
of decorum and stability to writers. There were rules
to be carefully followed. It was a time of careful
moral appearance, though appearances were more
valued than honesty. However, some of England’s
most brilliant literature can be credited to this era.