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# The Enlightenment The Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, was a period of intellectual, cultural, and literary transformation from the late 17th century to the late 18th century. This era focused on reason, scientific inquiry, humanism, and skepticism of traditional authorities, such...

# The Enlightenment The Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, was a period of intellectual, cultural, and literary transformation from the late 17th century to the late 18th century. This era focused on reason, scientific inquiry, humanism, and skepticism of traditional authorities, such as the Church and monarchy. Writers and thinkers sought to improve society through knowledge, education, and the application of rational thought. The movement had a profound influence on literature, fostering new genres and approaches to storytelling. ## Timeline ### Late 17th Century (1600s) * **Emergence of Rationalism** * The roots of the Enlightenment began in the 17th century, influenced by the scientific discoveries of figures like Galileo Galilei and Isaac Newton. * Philosophers such as René Descartes (Cogito, ergo sum) emphasized rational thought and skepticism. Literary works began reflecting this rationalist thinking, challenging superstition and dogma. * John Locke publishes *Essay Concerning Human Understanding* (1690), which argues that knowledge comes from experience, not innate ideas. His work significantly influenced Enlightenment thinking * **Discovery of Planets made by Galileo.** The idea that the earth and the other planets revolve around the sun was introduced. ### Early to Mid 18th Century (1700-1760s) * **Philosophical Writings and Satire** * This period marked the rise of philosophical literature and satire, with works that critiqued social and political systems. * Notable works include Jonathan Swift’s *Gulliver's Travels* (1726): A satirical exploration of human nature and society. * Voltaire’s *Candide* (1759) A biting satire on optimism, religion, and the hypocrisy of European society. * **The Rise of the Novel** * The novel as a literary form emerged during this period, focusing on individual experience and social critique. * Daniel Defoe’s *Robinson Crusoe* (1719): Often considered the first English novel, exploring themes of individualism and human survival. * Samuel Richardson’s *Pamela* (1740): An early example of the epistolary novel, reflecting social and moral concerns. ### Late 18th Century (1760s-1790s) * **Political and Social Critique** * Literature in this period became more focused on political and social reform, reflecting the revolutionary ideas that were spreading across Europe and America. * Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s *The Social Contract* (1762): Advocated for political equality and democratic governance, inspiring both the American and French revolutions. * Thomas Paine’s *Common Sense* (1776) A powerful pamphlet advocating for American independence from Britain. * **Rise of Sensibility and Emotion in Literature** * Toward the end of the Enlightenment, there was a shift toward emphasizing emotion and sensibility, preparing the ground for Romanticism. * Laurence Sterne’s *Tristram Shandy* (1759-1767): A novel that broke traditional narrative forms, combining wit, emotion, and an emphasis on individual experience. ## Key Events * **Declaration of independence is approved** 13 North American British colonies are freed from the rule of Great Britain. * **Beginning of French revolution** French regime tries to increase taxes and that results in a crisis. * **Marquis de Condorcet publishes *On the Admission of Women on the Rights of Citizenship*.** Advocates for the equality and citizenship of women. * **Reign of Terror in France** Mass executions takes place in Paris against those who are suspected to be against the French revolution. * **Isaac Newton published Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy.** Three basic laws of universal gravitation are introduced. * **John Locke completes *Two Treatises of Government*.** The doctrine of natural rights is discussed. * ***Encyclopédie* (first vol.) is published.** A collective work of philosophers, the first compilation of all human knowledge. ## Stylistic Characteristics and Genre * Literature during this period was often considered a tool for the advancement of knowledge. During this period they use satire, writers were better able to educate the public through literature. * Playwrights of the time were also known to incorporate satire in their plays. Through the use of satire, they were able to expose and critique social injustice and worked to promote social awareness through literature, the theater and periodicals of the time. * The rational impulse fostered satire, argument, wit, plain prose; the other inspired the psychological novel and the poetry of the sublime. * The cult of wit, satire, and argument is evident in England in the writings of Alexander Pope, Jonathan Swift, and Samuel Johnson, continuing the tradition of Dryden from the 17th century. * The novel was established as a major art form in English literature partly by a rational realism shown in the works of Henry Fielding, Daniel Defoe, and Tobias Smollett and partly by the psychological probing of the novels of Samuel Richardson and of Laurence Sterne's Tristram Shandy. * At this period Philosophical and Political Writings are also used. ## Common Themes * **Skepticism** - Skepticism is doubt about an established fact or belief. Enlightenment thinkers questioned religious dogmas and commonly held beliefs about the nature of political power. Political power in Europe had traditionally been thought to derive from the divine right of kings. In other words, rulers ruled because God willed it to be that way. * **Reason** - Valuing reason over faith was another hallmark of the Enlightenment. Attacking superstitious beliefs and basing philosophical opinions on rational ideals was the basis of the writings of the great Enlightenment thinkers. * **Individualism** - Developing one’s own talents to the highest degree and living life for one's own sake rather than for the sake of the state or the church was another important ideal valued by Enlightenment thinkers. * **Liberty** - Political, economic, and social freedom were major concepts explored by Enlightenment writers. This was important because 17th century Europe was ruled by powerful monarchs who set limits on the individual liberties of the peoples that they ruled. * **Secularism** - Many, but not all, Enlightenment thinkers were extremely critical of religion. Some rejected Christianity altogether and adopted a religious belief system known as Deism. ## Influential Authors and/or Iconic Text * **Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778)** - *The Social Contract* (1762) * **M. de Voltaire (1694-1778)** - *Candide* (1759) * **Denis Diderot (1713-1784)** - *Encyclopédie* (1751) * **Marquis de Sade (1740-1814)** - *The 120 Days of Sodom* (written in 1785 but published in 1905) * **Montesquieu (1689-1755)** - *The Spirit of the Laws* (1748) * **Beaumarchais (1732-1799)** - *The Marriage of Figaro* (1778) * **D'Alembert (1717-1783)** - *Preliminary Discourse to the Encyclopédie* (1751) * **Nicolas de Condorcet (1743-1794)** - *Fragments on the Freedom on the Press* (1776) * **Pierre de Marivaux (1688-1763)** - *Les Fausses Confidences* (1739)