Submitted By: Ayesha Hameed
Roll No: 30
Topic: Classicism
Submitted To: Mam Benish Gulzar
Bs English Literature
Aspire College Sangla Hill
What is Classicism?
Classicism is an intellectual and artistic movement that draws inspiration from ancient
Greece and Rome's culture, art, literature, and values. It emphasizes harmony, order,
balance, clarity, and restraint, focusing on universal human nature and moral virtue
themes. Classicism often upholds the idea of "art for the sake of truth and beauty"
and advocates rationality over emotion.
This movement influenced various fields, including literature, architecture,
sculpture, painting, theatre, and philosophy. Classicism contrasts with
Romanticism, which prioritizes emotion, individualism, and the sublime.
Origin
The origins of Classicism date back to the golden days of Ancient Greece and Rome.
Classicism is thought to have originated around the 4th century BC in Greece, with
prominent figures such as Aristotle and Sophocles. This practice progressed further in
Rome during the 1st century BC and 1st century AD through the works of writers like
Cicero and Vergil. The Greeks’ focus on rationality laid the foundation of classicism in
art, architecture, and literature. These ideas were later revived during the Renaissance,
profoundly influencing the development of Western art and thought throughout
subsequent centuries.
Historical Context
The Peloponnesian War (the conflict between Athens and Sparta in ancient Greece), the
devastating plague (that killed over one-third of the population of Greece), and the
decline of Athens’ Golden Age provided abundant inspiration for Greek writers and
artists, leading to the emergence of Classicism. The creations of this era offer an
understanding into the intricacies of human nature and societal turmoil by portraying
the vulnerability of human nature, the effects of catastrophe on society, and the ethical
and philosophical considerations related to power and destiny.
Key Characteristics of Classicism
Classicism has specific attributes that are evident across art, literature, and philosophy.
These features include:
1. Order and Simplicity
o Emphasis on symmetry, proportion, and harmony.
o Avoidance of excess and ornamental elements.
o Works are structured with clear, logical organization.
2. Universality and Timelessness
o Classicist works seek to convey universal truths about human nature.
o Themes like justice, morality, and reason are explored in a timeless,
idealized way.
3. Rationality and Logic
o Human reason and intellect are valued over emotion and passion.
o Actions and characters are guided by rational decision-making.
4. Imitation of Nature (Mimesis)
o Art and literature aim to reflect nature accurately but in an idealized way.
o Characters, plots, and settings are modeled after the real world but are
often perfected to be more "ideal."
5. Moral Purpose
o Art is seen as a tool to promote moral and ethical values.
o It teaches lessons on virtue, self-control, and proper behavior.
6. Restraint and Moderation
o Passion and excess are controlled, and emotional outbursts are subdued.
o Simplicity and balance are preferred over extravagance and
unpredictability.
Classicism in Literature
Classicism in literature refers to a movement that draws inspiration from the themes,
styles, and forms of classical Greek and Roman texts. It emphasizes order, reason,
balance, and the moral purpose of art. Classicist literature seeks to promote universal
human values such as justice, morality, and self-control, presenting characters and plots
that embody these ideals.
This movement has had a profound impact on Western literature, from ancient times to
the Neoclassical period (17th-18th century). Writers focused on structure, formal rules,
and moral lessons, believing that literature should serve to educate and refine society.
Key Elements in Classical Literature
Drama and Tragedy: Drawing from Greek playwrights like Sophocles, the play
emphasizes themes of fate, divine justice, and tragic flaws.
Poetry: Epic poems like Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey set the precedent
for later epics like Virgil's Aeneid.
Oratory and Rhetoric: Speeches and persuasive arguments were crucial, as
seen in works by Roman statesmen like Cicero.
Use of Mythology: Writers incorporated stories and figures from Greek and
Roman mythology to highlight moral lessons.
Important Writers and Their Contributions
Here are some of the most notable writers and their roles in the Classical movement:
1. Greek and Roman Writers (Antiquity)
Homer (c. 8th century BCE) – The Iliad, The Odyssey (epic poetry, themes of
heroism, honor, and fate)
Sophocles (496-406 BCE) – Oedipus Rex, Antigone (tragedy, fate, moral
dilemmas)
Euripides (480-406 BCE) – Medea, The Bacchae (tragedy, emotion vs. reason)
Aristotle (384-322 BCE) – Poetics (theory of tragedy, unity of time, place, and
action)
Virgil (70-19 BCE) – The Aeneid (epic poetry, moral purpose, Roman virtue)
Horace (65-8 BCE) – Ars Poetica (literary criticism, art as a moral teacher)
Ovid (43 BCE – 17 CE) – Metamorphoses (mythological epic, human
transformation)
These early writers laid the groundwork for classicism’s core principles of order,
restraint, and rationality.
2. Renaissance and Neoclassical Writers
After the fall of Rome, the ideals of classicism were revived during the Renaissance
(14th-17th century) and Neoclassical period (17th-18th century). Writers in these
eras sought to revive the styles and values of classical antiquity.
Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) – The Divine Comedy (combines classical and
Christian themes)
Geoffrey Chaucer (1343-1400) – The Canterbury Tales (balanced moral
storytelling)
Edmund Spenser (1552-1599) – The Faerie Queene (allegorical epic, classical
virtues)
William Shakespeare (1564-1616) – While not strictly a Classicist,
Shakespeare was heavily influenced by Roman literature and structure, as seen in
Julius Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra.
John Milton (1608-1674) – Paradise Lost (epic structure inspired by Homer
and Virgil)
3. Neoclassical Writers (17th-18th Century)
Neoclassicism revived classical ideals in response to the perceived chaos of the
Renaissance and Baroque periods. Writers adhered to strict formal rules regarding
drama, poetry, and prose.
Molière (1622-1673) – French playwright known for Tartuffe, which emphasizes
moral and social critique.
John Dryden (1631-1700) – Poet, playwright, and critic who emphasized the
“correctness” of literature.
Alexander Pope (1688-1744) – The Rape of the Lock (satirical poem with
classical influences, balance, and elegance)
Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) – Gulliver's Travels (satirical classicism, critique of
human nature)
These writers valued reason, wit, and moral lessons, aiming for universality, restraint,
and balance.
Classicism in Art and Architecture
In Art and Architecture, Classicism involves strict symmetry, clean lines, and simple
geometry. Classical architecture is evident in:
Temples of Ancient Greece (like the Parthenon)
Renaissance Architecture (like St. Peter's Basilica by Michelangelo)
Neoclassical Buildings (like the U.S. Capitol Building)
In painting and sculpture, figures are portrayed in idealized forms with a focus on
symmetry, proportion, and calm dignity. Notable artists include Raphael and
Michelangelo.
Impact of Classicism on Literature
Classicism had a lasting influence on literary forms, themes, and techniques. Key
impacts include:
1. The Establishment of Literary Rules: Aristotle’s unities of time, place, and
action influenced European drama, especially in France and England.
2. Development of Satire: Writers like Alexander Pope and Jonathan Swift used
satire as a means to critique human nature and society.
3. Moral Didacticism: Literature served as a tool for moral education and social
reform.
4. Refinement of Form and Language: Poetry adhered to tight formal
constraints, especially the use of heroic couplets.
Conclusion
Classicism in literature emphasizes order, restraint, and rationality. By imitating the
great works of ancient Greece and Rome, writers created enduring themes of moral
virtue and human nature. The legacy of Classicism is seen in the works of Homer, Virgil,
Dryden, and Pope, who each upheld ideals of clarity, precision, and moral purpose.
