Questions and Answers
What characterized the attitudes toward literature and art during the Neoclassical period?
Order, logic, restraint, accuracy, correctness, and decorum.
What does the term 'Neoclassical' refer to?
Match the distinct parts of the Neoclassical Period with their years:
Restoration Age = 1660-1700 Augustan Age = 1700-1750 Age of Johnson = 1750-1798
Who was beheaded leading to the Restoration Age?
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What restrictions did the Puritans place during the Restoration Age?
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Why did English citizens idealize classical Rome during the Restoration Age?
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What characterized King Charles II during the Restoration Age?
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What event led to the term 'Restoration Age'?
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What was one of the major disasters during the Neoclassical movement?
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Who is the author of 'Paradise Lost'?
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In what form was 'Paradise Lost' written?
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Who was openly Catholic during the Restoration Age?
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Who ruled after James II during the Restoration Age?
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What significant political change occurred under the Act of Union?
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Who was the ruler during the Augustan Age?
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Name two notable authors from the Augustan Age.
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What is Alexander Pope best known for?
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What is the title of Alexander Pope's best-known work?
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Study Notes
Neoclassical Literary Period Overview
- The period followed the Renaissance, marked by a shift towards order, logic, and restraint in literature and arts during times of political unrest in Europe, notably England.
Key Historical Context
- Restoration Age spans 1660-1700, Augustan Age from 1700-1750, and the Age of Johnson from 1750-1798.
- Charles I was beheaded, leading to Oliver Cromwell's Commonwealth and the interregnum, the first republican rule in England.
- The Restoration Age is named for the return of the monarchy after Cromwell's rule, with Charles II symbolizing this transition.
Social and Cultural Dynamics
- The Puritans suppressed celebrations like Christmas and Easter and banned activities deemed sinful, such as theatre and gambling.
- The glorified Roman ideals became predominant as citizens sought stability post-civil wars.
- Catholic persecution escalated as the Church of England was restored as the national church post-monarchy restoration.
Major Events
- The Great Plague of 1665 killed an estimated 100,000 people, about 20% of London’s population.
- The Great Fire of London occurred in September 1666, further affecting the city.
Notable Literary Figures and Works
- John Milton authored "Paradise Lost" (1667), an epic poem in unrhymed blank verse about the Fall of Man.
- Alexander Pope, known for satirical verse and translating Homer, is prominent in the Augustan Age.
- Jonathan Swift is a key author during this time alongside Pope.
Important Transitions
- James II openly practiced Catholicism, leading to a tumultuous reign and his flight during the Glorious Revolution in 1688, with him being the last Catholic monarch of Britain.
- William and Mary, both Protestants, assumed joint rule in 1689, signifying a major political shift.
Philosophical Foundations
- "Essay on Man" by Alexander Pope explores rational thought and the natural order, prominent in Neoclassical literature.
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Description
Explore key terms and concepts from the Neoclassical literary period with this set of flashcards. Dive into the significant shifts in attitudes towards literature, art, and social roles that defined this era in Europe, particularly focusing on its response to the ideals of order and decorum derived from classical antiquity.
