Classicism

Classicism in Literature: An Exploration of its Core Features.

Classicism is an aesthetic movement deeply rooted in the cultural, artistic, and literary traditions of ancient Greece and Rome. It emphasizes form, simplicity, proportion, and restrained emotion, presenting a worldview centered around reason, order, and balance.

Key Characteristics of Classicism:

Belief in Reason: Rationality is highly valued, with a focus on logical thought and restraint.

Civilization: Classicism sees civilization as an important aspect of human development.

Sophistication: A preference for cultured, refined behavior and thought.

Interest in Urban Society: There is a clear focus on the complexities of city life and social organization.

Human Nature: Classicists are deeply concerned with human behavior and morality.

Love and Satire: The exploration of human relationships, often with a satirical edge.

Expression of Acceptance: Classicism promotes themes of acceptance of the world as it is.

Moral Truth: There is a firm belief in moral truths that can be discovered through reason.

Realism: A focus on presenting the world as it is rather than idealizing it.

Belief in Good and Evil: Classicism is grounded in the clear distinction between good and evil.

Religion and Philosophy: Classical works often address philosophical questions and religious themes.

Generic Obstruction: There is a preference for established literary forms and structures.

Impersonal Objectivity: Classicism seeks objectivity, distancing the author from personal emotions and experiences.

Classicism in Literature

In the realm of literature, classicism places high value on traditional forms and structures. One famous legend tells of the Roman poet Virgil, who, at the time of his death, ordered that his masterpiece The Aeneid be burned. Virgil sought to emphasize the identity of Roman culture and its historical origins, linking the rise of the Roman Empire to the fall of Troy.

Classicist writers often imitated Roman and Greek works, both in terms of content and form. For example, the Iliad by Homer, an epic poem, served as a model for Virgil’s Aeneid, which was also an epic. The structure of the works was just as important as the subject matter. Tragedy, a form pioneered by Greek writers, was also adopted by classicists. A prime example of this is John Milton’s Paradise Lost, which is a classicist imitation of Homer’s Iliad.

Key Concepts of Classicism;

Nature and Human Nature: Harmony, balance, and proportion are essential elements, both in nature and human behavior.

Balance and Order: Classicism emphasizes the importance of structure, both in the world and in literary works.

Rationality and Reason: Rational thought and reasoned discourse are central to classicism.

Symmetry: A sense of symmetry and proportion is seen as vital in both art and life.

Classicism promotes regulation, formal discipline, and unity—key elements that serve to maintain order and control. It stresses that emotions should not play a role in the creation of art; instead, art must be objective and impersonal.

The Three Unities in Classicism;

One of the defining features of classicism is its adherence to the three unities of drama: unity of time, place, and action. This means that the action of a play or story should occur within a single time frame, in one location, and with a singular, focused narrative. Romanticism, on the other hand, only follows the unity of action and does not concern itself with time and place in the same strict manner.

Language and Diction in Classicism;

Classicism uses a formal, logical, and structured approach to language. The diction is often rigid and follows strict rules, reflecting the values of order and discipline. In contrast, Romanticism often employs a simpler, more conversational style, borrowing from the everyday speech of common people.

Classicist Writers;

Famous figures in the classicist tradition include Ben Jonson, Alexander Pope, John Dryden, and Jonathan Swift. These writers adhered to the principles of classicism, emphasizing order, reason, and traditional forms in their works.