Monday, 27 November 2023

ASSIGNMENT : 105 The Neoclassical Renaissance: A Symphony of Enlightenment

 105:The Neoclassical Renaissance: A Symphony of Enlightenment



Hello everyone This blog is part of an assignment for the paper 105 History of English Literature – From 1350 to 1900 Sem. 1, 2023.


# PERSONAL INFORMATION:-


NAME:- Hardi Vhora

BATCH:- M.A. Sem 1 (2023-2025)

ENROLLMENT NO:- 5108230032

PAPER NO. :- 105

PAPER NAME:- History of English Literature – From 1350 to 1900

PAPER CODE:- 22396

e-mail:- hardivhora751@gmail.com

Roll Number:- 09



# TABLE OF CONTENT:-


  • Personal Information
  • Abstract
  • Keywords
  • Introduction
  • Intelectual Enlightenment
  • Artistic Expression
  • Literary Revival
  • Scientific Rationalism
  • Social Reform Movement
  • Conclusion
  • References

# ABSTRACT:-

The Neoclassical Renaissance, marked by a revival of classical ideals, was characterized by a profound emphasis on reason, logic, and intellectual enlightenment. This intellectual enlightenment permeated various aspects of society, influencing artistic expression through the resurgence of classical art forms like symmetry, proportion, and idealized figures in paintings, sculptures, and architecture. In literature, neoclassicism shaped works reflecting classical themes and moral values, championed by writers like Voltaire and Alexander Pope. The political implications were substantial, with neoclassical principles influencing governance through constitutionalism, individual rights, and the concept of the "enlightened ruler." This era also witnessed a connection between the Neoclassical Renaissance and scientific rationalism, where reason and scientific inquiry played central roles in intellectual progress. Furthermore, Enlightenment ideals fueled social reform movements, contributing to endeavors such as the abolition of slavery and the promotion of gender equality, as individuals sought to apply reason to reshape societal structures.

# KEYWORDS:-

  • Neoclassical Renaissance
  • Classical ideals
  • Enlightenment principles
  • Constitutionalism
  • Scientific rationalism
  • Social reform movements

# INTRODUCTION:-


The Neoclassical Renaissance, a transformative epoch spanning the 18th century, emerged as a profound revival of classical ideals, resounding with echoes of reason, logic, and intellectual enlightenment. This period witnessed a remarkable resurgence in artistic expression, with painters, sculptors, and architects embracing classical forms—imbuing their creations with symmetry, proportion, and idealized figures. Concurrently, the literary landscape experienced a rebirth as neoclassicism left an indelible mark on literature, influencing works thatchampioned classical themes, moral values, and an unwavering commitment to reason. Writers like Voltaire and Alexander Pope epitomized this literary revival. Beyond the realms of art and literature, neoclassical principles found their way into the intricate fabric of political thought, inspiring constitutionalism, individual rights, and the vision of an "enlightened ruler." The era's dedication to reason extended to scientific realms, fostering advancements and embodying scientific rationalism as a core tenet of intellectual progress. Moreover, the Enlightenment ideals permeated social spheres, fueling movements against slavery and advocating for gender equality, asindividuals ardently applied reason to the restructuring of societal norms. In essence, the Neoclassical Renaissance stands as a multifaceted tapestry woven with threads of intellectual enlightenment, artistic revival, literary resurgence, political evolution, scientific inquiry, and social reform.

# INTELECTUAL ENLIGHTENMENT:-

Intellectual enlightenment during the Neoclassical era, roughly spanning the 18th century, emphasized reason, science, and individual rights. Thinkers like Voltaire and Rousseau played key roles in challenging traditional authority, promoting secularism, and laying the groundwork for modern democratic ideals. The era fostered a belief in human progress through education and rational inquiry, influencing political and social developments that continue to shape our world.

Neoclassical art and literature of the time reflected these ideals, drawing inspiration from classical antiquity and promoting clarity, symmetry, and rationality in artistic expression. The pursuit of knowledge, scientific inquiry, and a rejection of superstition were integral to the intellectual enlightenment during this era. The Neoclassical era's intellectual enlightenment was a transformative period marked by a commitment to reason, humanism, and a critical reevaluation of societal structures, laying the groundwork for the modern era's emphasis on rational inquiry and individual liberties.

# ARTISTIC EXPRESSION:-

Neoclassicism refers to the revival of classical art and architecture beginning in Europe in the 1750s until around 1830, with late neoclassicism lingering through the 1870s. It is a highly complex movement that brought together seemingly disparate issues into a new and culturally rich era, one that was unified under a broad interest in classical antiquity. The movement was born in Italy and France and spread across Europe to Russia and the United States. It was motivated by a desire to use ideas from antiquity to help address modern social, economic, and political issues in Europe, and neoclassicism came to be viewed as a style and philosophy that offered a sense of purpose and dignity to art, following the new “enlightened” thinking. This second edition of Historical Dictionary of Neoclassical Art and Architecture contains a chronology, an introduction, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 300 cross-referenced entries cover late Baroque and Rococo tendencies found in the early 18th century, and span the century to include artists who moved from neoclassicism to early romanticism. This book is an excellent resource for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about neoclassical art and architecture.
The term “Neoclassicism” refers to an era when a large number of artists and scholars across Europe in the 18th century took inspiration from the history and material remains of classical antiquity, which was defined as ancient Greece and Rome. While Neoclassicism is often considered a stylistic trend, artists worked across stylistic categories, yet they were all part of a broad milieu that responded to profound societal changes by seeking out classical precedents for questions posed by Enlightenment thinkers.

# LITERARY REVIVAL:-

Neoclassical theory dominated the poetical production of the eighteenth century, but also influenced the
newly emerging genre of fiction concerning the practice of novel writing, where verisimilitude, faithfulness
to the fact, and respect to the genre are among the strongest points of the neoclassical doctrine that had a direct
impact on the rise of the English novel.
Regarding the literary practice, an example would be the neoclassical precept of ‘respect to the genre’ that
made Jonathan Swift write his Gulliver’s Travels as a satire in prose aimed at the contemporary travel-books
in which many writers of the period would exaggerate their travel experience. As travel-book is a genre requiring
veracity and faithfulness to the fact, what started as Swift’s task to provide ‘an exaggeration of exaggeration’
as the main point in his satire on travel-books was extended into a satire on England, Europe, and finally on
human condition in general, and became a proto-novel. There are critical claims that Gulliver’s Travels is the
first English novel, which are supported by references to the narrative level, but these claims have no validity
on the thematic level, where the textual presence of the verisimilitude is discussible given the predominance
of the fantastic element, in that one may notice a clear concern with individual experience and social background
but not the textual representation of the concern which is reified by fantastic creatures and settings.
Also, the neoclassical spirit is revealed in this work in the presentation of the flying island of Laputa, which
is inhabited by the shades of ancient scholars, containing a satire on philosophy and science and disclosing
the principle of neoclassicism regarding the absurdity of knowledge that is not tested and applied in reality,
or not designed to improve human life.Another example would be the neoclassical emphasis on verisimilitude and faithfulness to fact that made
Defoe conceive his novels as true stories, authentic records of actual events. Moreover, Robinson Crusoe
advocates the neoclassical reason and common sense, belief in the human potential and optimism in the power
of the rising middle-class. The main concern of the novel is the individual experience and the main theme of
the novel is the survival of the individual removed from any social setting or social interaction, but who, guided
by reason and the sense of order, escapes the traps of the sentimental self-pity for such a situation and achieves
the recreation of the English society on different levels: cultural, moral, religious, political, economic, and
even related to the colonial expansion of England.

# SCIENTIFIC RATIONALISM:-

In the neoclassical era, scientific rationalism emerged as a dominant intellectual paradigm, shaping various aspects of society, culture, and thought. This period, spanning roughly from the mid-18th to the early 19th century, witnessed a profound shift in the approach to knowledge, influenced significantly by the Enlightenment ideals of reason, empiricism, and scientific inquiry.

Scientific rationalism in the neoclassical era emphasized the application of reason and systematic observation to understand the natural world. This approach was exemplified by the Scientific Revolution's legacy, where thinkers like Newton and Galileo had laid the groundwork for empirical investigation and the formulation of universal laws governing physical phenomena.

One key aspect of scientific rationalism during this period was the belief in the power of human reason to decipher the underlying principles of the universe. Enlightenment philosophers, such as Voltaire, Montesquieu, and Rousseau, championed reason as a guiding force for societal progress. They advocated for the application of scientific methods not only in the natural sciences but also in the realms of politics, ethics, and social organization.

The neoclassical era also witnessed the rise of classical economics, marked by the works of Adam Smith and his contemporaries. Economic theories were increasingly grounded in rational analysis and empirical observations, as opposed to earlier mercantilist doctrines. Smith's "Wealth of Nations" exemplified the application of scientific rationalism to economic thought, emphasizing the role of self-interest, competition, and the invisible hand in the functioning of markets.

Moreover, the scientific rationalist approach extended to the arts and literature during the neoclassical era. The Age of Enlightenment saw a shift towards reason and order in artistic expression, as exemplified by the neoclassical style in visual arts and literature. Artists and writers sought to emulate the classical ideals of balance, harmony, and rationality, reflecting a broader cultural alignment with the principles of scientific inquiry.

In conclusion, scientific rationalism in the neoclassical era had a profound impact on various facets of society. It not only revolutionized scientific thought and economic principles but also influenced the broader intellectual and cultural landscape. The emphasis on reason, empirical observation, and systematic inquiry laid the groundwork for a transformative period in human history, shaping the trajectory of scientific, economic, and cultural development.

# SOCIAL REFORM MOVEMENT:-


Tracing the development of social reform movements among American Catholics from 1880 to 1925, Deirdre Moloney reveals how Catholic gender ideologies, emerging middle-class values, and ethnic identities shaped the goals and activities of lay activists. Rather than simply appropriate American reform models, ethnic Catholics (particularly Irish and German Catholics) drew extensively on European traditions as they worked to establish settlement houses, promote temperance, and aid immigrants and the poor. Catholics also differed significantly from their Protestant counterparts in defining which reform efforts were appropriate for women. For example, while women played a major role in the Protestant temperance movement beginning in the mid-nineteenth century, Catholic temperance remained primarily a male movement in America. Gradually, however, women began to carve out a significant role in Catholic charitable and reform efforts. The first work to highlight the wide-ranging contributions of the Catholic laity to Progressive-era reform, the book shows how lay groups competed with Protestant reformers and at times even challenged members of the Catholic hierarchy. It also explores the tension that existed between the desire to demonstrate the compatibility of Catholicism with American values and the wish to preserve the distinctiveness of Catholic life.


# CONCLUSION:-

The Neoclassical Renaissance emerged as a harmonious symphony of Enlightenment ideals, weaving together the threads of reason, classical aesthetics, and intellectual liberation. In this revival, the canvas of artistic expression was painted with the brushstrokes of reason, echoing the pursuit of knowledge and the celebration of human potential. As the era unfolded, it became a testament to the enduring power of enlightenment, leaving an indelible mark on art, philosophy, and society. The Neoclassical Renaissance stands as a timeless ode to the enlightened spirit, inviting us to reflect on the profound interplay between reason and creativity that continues to shape our cultural landscape.

# REFERENCES:-










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