Neoclassical poetry

2. What is Neoclassicism?
 What are the stages of Neoclassicism?
 Who the most famous poets in this
era?
 What are main characteristics of its
poetry?

3. Definition and etymology of the term
Neoclassicism:
The word “Neo” has been derived from the a
Greek word “Neos” which means young or new.
The word classic refers to the style and works of
Greek and Roman writers .

4. The Stages of Neoclassicism:
Restoration period 1660-1700:
The Augustan age 1700-1750:
The age of Johnson: lasted up to 1798

5. Who are the most famous writers of this
era?
John Milton
(1608-1674)
“Paradise lost”
The garden of Eden
William Hayley

6. John Dryden (1631-1700)
“Absalom and Chitophel
Duck of Monmouth
Alexandrine

7. Alexander Pope
(1686-1744)
“Homer” and “Odyssey”
“The Rape of Lock”

8. Samuel Johnson
(1709-1784)
“London”
“ “The Vanity of Human
wishes”
“The lives of Poets”
“Rasselas”

9. Characteristics of Neoclassical Poetry:
• Rationalism: reason, intellect, not imaginations.
• Scholarly Allusions: religion, biblical allusions.
• Didacticism: teach , morals , good behavior
• Realism: true picture, realities, not emotions.
• Adherence to Classical Rules: rule of Classicism,
employ, Pseudo classical poetry.

10. Characteristics of Neoclassical Poetry:
No Passionate Lyricism: lyrical quality, no passion,
feelings and emotions.
Objectivity: miseries, hardships and problems.
Poetic Diction: different language, decorum, specific style and
mannerism.
Heroic Couplet: real masters, thirty thousand heroic
couplets, Dryden and Pope.

11. The Sources:
www.youtube.com/results?search_query=neoclass
icim+poetry
www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-difference-
between-neoclassicism-and-romanticism.htm
www.enotes.com/homework-help/wat-r-d-main-
features-poetry-neo-classical-age-120937
www.bachelorandmaster.com/englishperiods/peri
ods-of-english.html#.Vj2qw7Kqqko
Oxford Dictionary