Classicism | Literary Movement | HSA English

Summary

This video introduces the concept of classicism in literature, highlighting its origins in ancient Greece and Rome and its emphasis on formal discipline, rationality, and unity. It explores classical authors like Aeschylus, Euripides, Homer, and their influence on later works. The video also covers periods of classical revival and the importance of classicism in historical literary periods, including the Enlightenment and the 20th century, mentioning notable works and authors like Virgil's 'Aeneid', Racine's 'Andromache', and T.S. Eliot's 'Murder in the Cathedral'.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ Classism in literature refers to the styles, rules, themes, and sensibilities of classical authors from ancient Greece and Rome.
• 📜 Classical authors are known for their formal discipline, impersonality, objectivity, rationality, and avoidance of ambiguity and excess emotion.
• 🎨 Classical works emphasize wholeness and unity, with coherence and a lack of irrelevant elements or open-ended conclusions.
• 🏛️ The term 'classicism' can also denote the status of a work that has achieved general agreement on its artistic merit.
• 📚 Classical periods include the Golden Age of Greece, the Age of Cicero and Augustus in Rome, and the Enlightenment in France, England, and Germany.
• 🌿 Common themes in classical works involve a historical interest, adherence to rules and orders, and a preference for reason over passion.
• 📜 Literary styles in classical works often include pastorals, tragedies, and epics.
• 📚 The origins of classicism are traced back to ancient Greek literature, with significant figures like Aeschylus, Euripides, Homer, Aristotle, and Sophocles.
• 🏛️ Classical revivals have occurred in Rome, France, Germany, and England, with scholars of Alexandria defining the classic status of Greek literature.
• 🎭 French classicism, influenced by the Enlightenment, emphasized reason and intellect, and was known for drama and satire, as seen in works like Voltaire's 'Candide'.
• 📚 English classicism, particularly during the Renaissance and Restoration, was influenced by Greek and Roman works and included writers like Dryden, Swift, Pope, and Johnson.

Q & A

What does the term 'classicism' refer to in the context of literature?

Classicism refers to the styles, rules, modes, conventions, themes, and sensibilities of classical authors and their influence on later authors. It upholds virtues such as formal discipline, impersonality, objectivity, rationality, and shunning of the ambiguous, imaginative, eccentric, impulsive, emotional, and self-indulgent.

Who are considered classical authors in the context of literature?

Classical authors are writers of ancient Greece and Rome who achieved excellence and established enduring models in all major literary genres.

What are the key characteristics of classicism in literature?

Classicism in literature emphasizes formal discipline, impersonality, objectivity, rationality, and coherence in a work of art, avoiding irrelevant elements or open-ended conclusions.

What are the common themes found in classical works?

Common themes in classical works include a general interest in history, adherence to rules and orders, and a preference for reason over passion.

Which literary styles are dominant in classical works?

The dominant literary styles in classical works are pastorals, tragedies, and epics.

What historical periods are generally associated with classicism?

Classicism is associated with several major periods in history, including the Golden Age of Greece, the Age of Cicero and Augustus in Rome, and the Enlightenment periods of France, England, and Germany.

Who were some of the significant literary figures of the classical period in Rome?

Significant literary figures of the classical period in Rome include Virgil, Cicero, and Seneca.

How did the French classicists of the 17th and 18th centuries differ from their ancient Greek and Roman counterparts?

French classicists emphasized reason and intellect, adopted classical themes and motives, and were also noted for their use of satire, unlike their ancient Greek and Roman counterparts who primarily focused on formal discipline and rationality.

What is the significance of Aristotle's 'Poetics' in the context of classicism?

Aristotle's 'Poetics' provided a theoretical framework for classicism, influencing many writers and dramatists with its theories of imitation, tragedy, and epic.

How did the concept of classicism evolve during the 20th century?

In the 20th century, classicism was seen in the literary works and critical theory of writers like T.S. Eliot, who tried to resurrect classical elements in modern literature, and in the use of mythology in various works, such as James Joyce's 'Ulysses' and W.B. Yeats' poems.

What are some famous quotes by authors on the definition of a classic?

Famous quotes include T.S. Eliot's view that a classic can occur only when a civilization and its literature are mature, Matthew Arnold's definition of a classic as belonging to the class of the very best, and Frank Kermode's discussion on the works that earn a place in the canon of classic literature.