Neoclassicism vs Romanticism
Neoclassicism and Romanticism are two periods of artistic, literary, and intellectual movements that show some differences between them in the history of the Western culture. The period of Neoclassicism was from the 18th century to the early 19th century. On the other hand, the Romanticism flourished towards the end of the 18th century. This is one of the main differences between the two periods of neoclassicism and romanticism. Though they affected many fields such as literature, architecture, and art, we can observe most characteristics of each period in the fields of literature and art. Let us find out more about both neoclassicism and romanticism.
What is Neoclassicism?
Neoclassicism was a movement that took place from the 18th century to the early 19th century. This was a movement that was visible in many fields such as art, literature and architecture. Neoclassicism draws its inspiration from the Ancient Greece and Rome where the culture and art were considered classical. Since neoclassicism gave value to logic and reason, you can see that the neoclassic writers have paid much importance to logic and reason in their writings. When it comes to the subject matter of the works of the writers of the Neoclassicism period, you will see that the subject dealt primarily with the human beings. For example, these works spoke about the flaws of human beings. When it comes to art, you can see that the art of neoclassicism was inspired by ancient legends such as the Odysseus and Oedipus.
Literature or rather poetry in literature was a field that showed much of the characteristics of the neoclassical period. Diction and grammar were given ample importance during the neoclassical period. Works were written in grammatical style. Most works were impeccable in grammar. By reading a work written during the neoclassical period, a reader could see the mind and the description of the other person through the mind of the poet. That is because the society was explored and characters were given much more importance. Therefore, the feelings and the sentiments of the primary and other characters of the poem are given more importance and preference when compared to the individual feelings or the personal feelings of the poet in the case of neoclassical poetry.
The chief architects of the Neoclassicism period were John Dryden and Alexander Pope. Pope’s satirical verses inspired many a person during the neoclassical period.
What is Romanticism?
Romanticism was a movement that took place towards the end of the 18th century. This was a movement that was visible in many fields such as art, literature, and architecture. Romanticism draws its inspiration from movements such as the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution.
Emotions were given much value during romanticism. That is why you can see that writers who belonged to the Romantic period giving importance to emotions and self-experience. Also, most works of the writers of the period of Romanticism are laden with descriptions of nature. This is because romanticism was more focused on nature rather than the society which was the focus of neoclassicism.
The liberal nature of the romanticism can be explored by the poetry that existed during the period. The language of the common person was used in majority of the works that belonged to the Romantic period. Diction was not given that much of importance by the writers of the Romantic period. By reading a work written during the Romantic period, a reader could see the mind of a poet. Personal feelings of the poet are reflected in the imagery of the poet in the case of romantic poetry. The primary character of the poem is not being recognized in any manner. He just comes and goes.
Wordsworth and Coleridge are two of the greatest of the Romantic period of writing. There are other writers too that made a significant contribution to poetry during the period of Romanticism. These poets include Keats, Shelley, and Byron.
What is the difference between Neoclassicism and Romanticism?
- Periods:
- The period of Neoclassicism was from the 18th century to the early 19th century.
- On the other hand, the Romanticism flourished towards the end of the 18th century.
- Inspiration:
- Neoclassicism draws its inspiration from the classical art and culture of ancient Rome and Greece.
- Romanticism was inspired by the Industrial revolution and the Enlightenment.
- Logic and Reason vs Emotions:
- Neoclassicism gave importance to logic and reason.
- Romanticism gave importance to emotions and self-experience.
- Society vs Nature:
- Neoclassicism examined the society.
- Romanticism examined the nature.
These are the differences between Neoclassicism and Romanticism.
Key Takeaways
- Neoclassicism was a movement from the 18th century to the early 19th century that was visible in art, literature, and architecture, drawing inspiration from classical art and culture of ancient Rome and Greece.
- Romanticism was a movement towards the end of the 18th century that was visible in art, literature, and architecture, drawing inspiration from the Industrial Revolution and the Enlightenment.
- While Neoclassicism focused on logic, reason, and examination of society, Romanticism emphasized emotions, self-experience, and the examination of nature.
