Popular Genre - The emphasis on order, reason, etiquette and wit made certain styles of literature more popular than others. Diaries, essays, letters and first person narratives were extremely successful, because they concentrated on what a single person thought or accomplished, which was in line with the Neoclassical idea of analyzing and reforming a person’s social role. Moral fables were a favorite, as well, as were parodies and burlesques. Novels in various styles developed rapidly, becoming a main entertainment for women in the home. The rhymed couplet — specifically, the heroic couplet — dominated poetry, and in the theater, audiences flocked to sentimental comedies, comedies of manners and heroic dramas.
Representative Writers - One of the most influential Neoclassical writers was John Milton (1608 - 1674), author of the epic poem, Paradise Lost. Much of his work reflects the political issues England and other countries faced. John Drydon (1631 - 1700), also called “Glorious John,” was also a major force during Restoration, working on both plays and poetry to such a degree that the entire first section of the period sometimes is called “the Age of Drydon.” Two of his most famous works are
- To My Lord Chancellor and Marriage a la Mode.
Representative Writers - Alexander Pope (1688 - 1744) was an Augustan poet. He made money translating major works, such as The Iliad, but soon established himself with his own pieces. His Pastorals and An Essay on Criticism are probably the best known of his writings, and scholars recognize him for his command of the heroic couplet.
- For satire, the champion of the period was Johnathon Swift (1667 - 1745). Although he wrote both poetry and prose, he is best known for the latter. Many of his works were originally published under pseudonyms, including M.B. Dapier and Isaac Bickerstaff. He is the author of the well-known novel, Gulliver’s Travels.
- Along with Samuel Richardson, Daniel Defoe (1660 - 1731) was one of the leading pioneers in the development of the English novel. He is notable not only for the content of his works, but also because of the sheer number of them — some experts say at least 500 different pamphlets, books and other writings are Defoe’s. Perhaps the one out of all of these that people still know well today is Robinson Crusoe. His political writings brought trouble at times, with Defoe even spending some time in prison.
- Experts usually see Samuel Johnson (1709 - 1784) as the last great writer of the Neoclassical period in literature. His major contribution is A Dictionary of the English Language, which people used for well over a century. Although the Oxford English Dictionary eventually replaced it, Johnson's dictionary was a major accomplishment in the development and standardization of English.
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