Classical Poetry

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Classical Age vs. Neoclassical Age

The **Classical Age** and the **Neoclassical Age** are two distinct periods in literature and
art, each characterized by unique themes, styles, and cultural contexts. Understanding their
differences and connections is essential for grasping the evolution of Western literature.
Classical Age:
The Classical Age, often referred to as the **Golden Age of Greek and Roman literature**,
spans from approximately 800 BC to 400 AD. This era is marked by the emergence of
foundational literary works and philosophical thought that continue to influence modern culture.
Key Characteristics:
Focus on Reason and Order: Classical works emphasize logic, clarity, and harmony.
Heroic Ideals: Literature often celebrates heroism, virtue, and the human condition.
Formality in Structure: Use of structured forms such as epic poetry (e.g., Homer's *Iliad* and
*Odyssey*).
Influence of Mythology: Myths play a crucial role in storytelling, providing moral lessons and
explanations for natural phenomena.
Notable Figures: Writers like Homer, Virgil, Ovid, and Sophocles are central to this period.
Neoclassical Age
The Neoclassical Age, which flourished from the late 17th century to the late 18th century
(approximately 1660 to 1798), was a revival of classical ideals in response to the Renaissance.
This period is also known as the Augustan Age in English literature.
Key Characteristics:
Imitation of Classical Models: Neoclassical writers sought to emulate the styles and themes of
ancient Greek and Roman authors.
Emphasis on Reason and Restraint: There was a strong focus on rationalism, order, and
decorum in literature.
Didactic Purpose: Literature aimed to instruct as well as entertain, often addressing moral and
social issues.
Formal Structure: The use of heroic couplets and other structured poetic forms was prevalent.
Satire and Social Commentary: Writers like Alexander Pope and Jonathan Swift employed
satire to critique society.
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Stages of Neoclassicism:
Restoration Period (1660-1700): Marked by the return of Charles II to the throne; literature
began to reflect more classical influences.
Augustan Age (1700-1750): Characterized by a flourishing of poetry and prose; notable figures
include Pope and Swift.
Age of Johnson (1750-1798):** A period defined by Samuel Johnson's contributions to
literature and criticism.
Comparison
| Feature | Classical Age | Neoclassical Age |

|---------------------------|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
| Time Period | c. 800 BC - 400 AD | 1660 - 1798 |
| Focus | Heroism, mythology, human ideals | Reason, order, social critique |
| Style | Epic poetry, drama | Satirical prose, structured poetry |
| Key Figures | Homer, Virgil, Ovid | Pope, Swift, Johnson |
| Cultural Context | Ancient Greece/Rome | Enlightenment era |
The transition from the Classical Age to the Neoclassical Age reflects a shift from a celebration
of individual heroism and mythology to a more structured understanding of society through
reasoned discourse. Both periods significantly shaped Western literary traditions but did so
through different lenses.
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"One day I wrote her name upon the strand,"

- The speaker wrote his beloved's name on the beach, symbolizing a desire to leave a lasting
impression.
- "Strand" refers to the shore, emphasizing the ephemeral nature of human endeavors.
"But came the waves and washed it away:"
- The waves, representing the forces of nature and time, erase the speaker's attempt to
immortalize his beloved's name.
- This line underscores the transience of human creations.
"Again I wrote it with a second hand,"
- Undeterred, the speaker tries again to write her name, symbolizing persistence in the face of
impermanence.
- "Second hand" may imply a sense of urgency or renewed determination.
"But came the tide, and made my pains his prey."
- The tide, representing the inevitable forces of nature, destroys the speaker's second attempt.
- "Pains" refers to the speaker's efforts, while "prey" implies the tide's power to consume and
erase.
'"Vain man," said she, "that dost in vain assay,"'
- The beloved addresses the speaker, labeling his efforts as futile ("vain").
- "Assay" means attempt or endeavor, highlighting the speaker's doomed quest for permanence.
"'A mortal thing so to immortalize;"'
- She emphasizes the impossibility of making something mortal (her name) immortal.
- This line reinforces the theme of mortality vs. transcendence.
"'For I myself shall like to this decay,"'
- She acknowledges her own mortality, likening herself to the ephemeral writing on the sand.
- "Decay" underscores the inevitability of decline and disappearance.
"'And eke my name be wiped out likewise.'"
- She predicts that her name, too, will be erased from memory.
- "Eke" is an archaic word for "also" or "even," adding a sense of resignation.
"'Not so,' (quod I) 'let baser things devise"
- The speaker responds, disagreeing with her pessimistic view.
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- "Quod I" is Latin for "said I," emphasizing the speaker's determination.
- "Baser things" refers to mundane, mortal concerns.
"'To die in dust, but you shall live by fame:"'
- The speaker asserts that his beloved will transcend mortality through fame.
- "Dust" symbolizes the transience of earthly existence.
"'My verse your vertues rare shall eternize,"'
- The speaker claims his poetry will immortalize her virtues.
- "Vertues rare" highlights her exceptional qualities.
"'And in the heavens write your glorious name:"'
- The speaker promises to inscribe her name in the heavens, symbolizing eternal recognition.
- "Heavens" represents the realm of the divine and timeless.
"'Where whenas death shall all the world subdue,"'
- The speaker acknowledges that death will ultimately conquer all.
- "Whenas" is an archaic word for "when."
"'Our love shall live, and later life renew.'"
- The speaker affirms that their love will endure, even beyond death.
- "Later life" suggests a revival or rebirth of their love.
This poem explores the human desire to transcend mortality, highlighting the tension between
the fleeting nature of life and the enduring power of art.

Classical Poetry

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Classical Age vs. Neoclassical Age

| Feature | Classical Age | Neoclassical Age |

"One day I wrote her name upon the strand,"

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