Augustan Neoclassicalism

How do you start a Neoclassical or Augustan Period research paper? Our expert writers suggest like this:

Typically, literary historians divide the eighteenth century into two periods, namely, the Neoclassical or Augustan period and the Age of Sensibility. This research paper examines the first half of the long eighteenth century which is typically viewed as being given over to the dry, austere satire that comprised the Augustan age, while the latter half of the century, known as the Age of Sensibility, was a reactive outgrowth of the earlier period, and emphasized many aspects that were absent or minimal in neoclassical texts, such as emotionalism, intuition, and sentimentality. However, as is often the case with such historical distinctions, the divide between the two periods was not absolute. Instead, both mind sets and world views overlapped and coexisted throughout the entire period, although the prevalence and dominance of each shifted over the course of the century. The research in the paper illustrates that the eighteenth century should not be viewed as divided into two distinct and mutual exclusive periods of literary production. At the same time, it is important to note the key characteristics that defined each style and outlook.

Key characteristics of the Neoclassical period:

• Roman Poetry
• Satire
• Conservatism in works of literature

Augustan Period and the Roman Poets

The Augustan/neoclassical period was, as the research paper suggests, heavily influenced by the literature of antiquity, most notably, those Roman poets that wrote in the period of emperor Caesar Augustus. Eighteenth-century poets appropriated not only the forms that were popular during this period, but also the relationship to the subject matter, which was characterized by an emphasis on reason, logic, and wit. This research paper examines many major poets of 18th Century literature.