Classicism | Literary Movement | HSA English

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9 May 202111:53

Summary

TLDRThis 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.

Outlines

00:00

🎭 Introduction to Literary Classicism

The video introduces the concept of classicism in literature, emphasizing its roots in ancient Greek and Roman authors. It discusses the characteristics of classicism such as formal discipline, impersonality, objectivity, rationality, and coherence in works of art. The video also covers the historical periods associated with classicism, including the Golden Age of Greece, the Roman era of Cicero and Augustus, and the Enlightenment in France, England, and Germany. Classical themes like history, order, and reason over passion are highlighted. The literary styles of pastorals, tragedies, and epics are mentioned, along with notable classical authors like Aeschylus, Euripides, Homer, Aristotle, and Sophocles. The influence of classical Greek literature on Roman writings and the role of scholars of Alexandria in defining classical literature are also discussed.

05:02

🖋️ Classical Influence in French and English Literature

This paragraph delves into the resurgence of classical values in French literature during the 17th and 18th centuries, influenced by the works of Voltaire and Descartes. It mentions Pierre Corneille as the creator of French classical tragedy and Jean Racine as a key practitioner. The paragraph also discusses the influence of classical themes on English literature from the Renaissance period, with writers like Sidney and Jonson adapting classical works. The Neoclassical period in English literature is highlighted, with Dryden, Swift, Pope, Addison, and Dr. Johnson being noted as significant figures. The 20th-century revival of classical themes, particularly in French drama, and the works of T.S. Eliot, who attempted to revive classical comic drama and tragic elements, are also covered.

10:03

📜 Classical Elements in German Literature and Authorial Quotes

The final paragraph explores the impact of classicism on German literature, mentioning writers like Winckelmann, Lessing, Goethe, and Schiller. It discusses Goethe's 'Iphigenie auf Tauris' as an example of a secular tragedy that meets Aristotelian standards. The paragraph also includes famous quotes from authors on the definition of a classic, such as T.S. Eliot, who argued that a classic emerges when a civilization and its literature are mature, and Matthew Arnold, who believed that classics belong to the very best. Frank Kermode's work is also mentioned, which discusses the criteria for a work to be considered a classic and its place in the literary canon.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Classicism

Classicism refers to the principles and styles derived from the literature and culture of ancient Greece and Rome. It emphasizes formal discipline, objectivity, and rationality while avoiding emotional excess or imaginative freedom. In the video, classicism is discussed as the core of various literary periods and movements, shaping writers across different eras such as the French and English neoclassical periods.

💡Greek Literature

Greek literature consists of the works of ancient Greek authors like Aeschylus, Euripides, and Homer. These writers are considered foundational in establishing the genres of tragedy, epic, and drama, which became models for classical and later European literature. The video highlights how their influence persisted through various revivals, such as in Roman and later French and English literature.

💡Rationality

Rationality, in the context of classicism, is the emphasis on reason and logical structure over emotion and impulse. This principle was central to classical writers and their followers, who valued coherence and clarity in art. The video points out that rationality was a key virtue for both Greek and Roman writers, as well as for later movements like French classicism and English neoclassicism.

💡Neoclassicism

Neoclassicism is the revival of classical styles and values in literature, art, and architecture during the 17th and 18th centuries, especially in France and England. Neoclassical writers like Dryden and Swift in England followed the rules of classical decorum, form, and structure, looking back to ancient models for inspiration. The video notes how neoclassicism reshaped English literature during the Restoration era.

💡Tragedy

Tragedy is a major genre in classical literature, particularly in Greek drama, characterized by serious themes and the downfall of noble characters. Greek tragedies by Sophocles and Euripides heavily influenced Roman and later European writers. The video refers to this genre as a key part of classicism, which valued the emotional and moral lessons that tragedies imparted.

💡Imitation

Imitation, as discussed in the video, refers to the practice of emulating the styles, themes, and forms of earlier classical works. Writers such as Cicero and Virgil in Rome, and later French and English authors, imitated the works of Greek masters. This concept of literary imitation was central to maintaining classical ideals and was especially influential during periods of classical revival.

💡Aristotle’s Poetics

Aristotle’s 'Poetics' is a foundational text in classical literary theory, offering definitions and guidelines for tragedy and epic. It shaped the literary theories of many later writers, especially in the Renaissance and neoclassical periods. The video mentions how Aristotle’s ideas about dramatic design, such as unity of action, influenced many writers and theorists throughout history.

💡French Classicism

French classicism refers to the literary movement in 17th and 18th-century France, where writers like Pierre Corneille and Jean Racine emulated Greek and Roman models. French classicists focused on reason, order, and adherence to established rules. The video explains how this movement represented a return to classical values, influencing not only French literature but also neoclassical movements in England and Germany.

💡Satire

Satire is a literary genre that uses humor, irony, or ridicule to criticize and expose the flaws in individuals or society. In the video, Voltaire’s 'Candide' is highlighted as a classic example of satire, a form that was especially popular among French classicists and Enlightenment writers. Satire allowed writers to engage with political and social issues while adhering to classical forms.

💡Mythology

Mythology in classical literature refers to the use of ancient myths, often involving gods, heroes, and epic quests, as the basis for storytelling. The video mentions how writers like T.S. Eliot and James Joyce incorporated classical myths into their modern works, blending ancient themes with contemporary concerns. Mythological references serve as a bridge between classical and modern literary traditions.

Highlights

Classicism refers to the styles, rules, modes, conventions, themes, and sensibilities of classical authors.

Classical authors are ancient Greek and Roman writers known for their excellence and enduring influence.

Classicism values formal discipline, impersonality, objectivity, rationality, and avoids ambiguity and excess emotion.

Works of art in classicism are coherent and free from irrelevant elements or open-ended conclusions.

Classicism is associated with historical periods like the Golden Age of Greece and the Enlightenment in Europe.

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

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

The movement's origins trace back to ancient Greece, with writers like Aeschylus, Euripides, Homer, Aristotle, and Sophocles.

Classical revivals occurred in Rome, France, Germany, and England, influenced by Greek literature.

Scholars of Alexandria defined the classic status of Greek literature with formal rules and imitation.

Roman literature, including works of Virgil and Cicero, was heavily influenced by Greek models.

In France, classicism was revived in the 1600s and 1700s, emphasizing reason and intellect.

French classicism is known for its use of satire, as seen in Voltaire's Candide.

Jean Racine is considered the most accomplished practitioner of French classicism, modeling his works after Greek and Latin classics.

Classicism in England was influenced by Greek and Roman works, adapted by writers during the Renaissance.

Neoclassical writers in England, like Dryden, Swift, Pope, and Addison, followed classical rules.

T.S. Eliot's works in the 20th century, such as 'Murder in the Cathedral,' integrated classical tragic elements.

Eugene O'Neill's 'Morning Becomes Electra' is a modern adaptation of a Greek tragedy by Aeschylus.

In Germany, classicism was prominent in the 18th century, with writers like Goethe and Schiller.

Famous quotes by authors like T.S. Eliot and Matthew Arnold discuss the nature and significance of classics.