Lecture 2
The Augustan Tradition = English neoclassicism
Definition
Augustan: either Queen Anne’s reign 1702-1714
or a longer period: (1660 to the middle of the century or later
from Dryden to Dr Johnson
Restoration of Charles II compared to Pax Romana
1. Earlier poetry versus neoclassical values
example John Donne, John Dryden on reason and religion
Batter my heart, three-person'd God, for you
As yet but knock, breathe, shine, and seek to mend;
That I may rise and stand, o'erthrow me, and bend
Your force to break, blow, burn, and make me new.
I, like an usurp'd town to another due,
Labor to admit you, but oh, to no end;
Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend,
But is captiv'd, and proves weak or untrue.
Döngesd szívem, Szentháromság, ne csak
kopogtass; védj, sugallj, ne csak ragyogj;
hogy állni tudjak, dönts le, haragod
küldd rá, cibálj, égess, új létet adj.
Más vára: én, bitorló úr alatt,
beengednélek s tétlen maradok;
helytartód: elmém dolga volna, hogy
védjen, de lám, ő hitvány gyönge rab. John Donne: Holy Sonnet 14
So Reason’s glimmering Ray
Was lent, not to assure our doubtfull way,
But guide us upward to a better Day.
And as those nightly Tapers disappear
When Day’s bright Lord ascends our Hemisphere;
So pale grows Reason at Religions sight; 10
So dyes, and so dissolves in Supernatural Light. John Dryden: Religio Laici
metaphysical poetry / neoclassical poetrypersonal / impersonal, didactic
passionate, shockingly individual / restrained and general
ordinary images / high-brow, elegant images
complicated, rough / clear, smooth, orderly, balanced
2. Why „neoclassical”?
imitate style of Romans and Greeks (neo + classical)
a hierarchy of genres: epic or heroic: on top
in this age: mock-heroic
favourite: SATIRE
more than aesthetic concern: moral reflection
3. Wit = central quality of Augustan aest
- verbal cleverness, talent for saying brilliant or sparkling things, esp. in an amusing way.
But how hard to make a Man appear a Fool, a Blockhead, or a Knave, without using any of those opprobrious terms! […] there is still a vast difference betwixt the slovenly Butchering of a Man, and the fineness of a stroke that separates the Head from the Body, and leaves it standing in its place.
- it articulates general truth - not personal or original insights
- not rebels, they serve society – common values
True Wit is Nature to Advantage drest,
What oft was Thought, but ne’er so well Exprest
Alexander Pope: Essay in Criticism
4. Augustan criticism: development of English prose
literary journalism easy, relaxed, informal
Addison and Steele: The Spectator (1711-14)
educated urban upper middle-class
liberal, not too difficult to read
philosophers: also readable, lucid essays
Dryden – father of English criticism
flexible but elegant prose style, first to address a wide range of critical topics, tolerant, not rigid
5. John Dryden 1631—1700
great poet of the age, great prose stylist
-- perfected neoclassical poetic style: HEROIC COUPLET
argumentative verse,
Religio Laici, Church of England – from scepticism to authority
Hind and the Panther: arguing for Roman Catholicism
-satiric verse
Absolom and Achitophel, Part I 1681
MacFlecnoe 1682
MacFlecknoe (1682)
Thomas Shadwell: contemporary, a bad poet, Dryden’s opponent
MacFlecknoe: Richard Flecknoe Irish priest, symbol of bad poetry
THEME: the choice of Shadwell by Flecknoe as his heir (Mac F: the son of Flecknoe)
tone of laughing abuse
form of a compliment is found unexpectedly to bear the content of an insult
John Dryden (1631-1700): MacFlecknoe(excerpt)
1All human things are subject to decay,
2And, when Fate summons, monarchs must obey:
3This Flecknoe found, who, like Augustus, young
4Was call'd to empire, and had govern'd long:
5In prose and verse, was own'd, without dispute
6Through all the realms of Non-sense, absolute.
7This aged prince now flourishing in peace,
8And blest with issue of a large increase,
9Worn out with business, did at length debate
10To settle the succession of the State:
11And pond'ring which of all his sons was fit
12To reign, and wage immortal war with wit;
13Cry'd, 'tis resolv'd; for nature pleads that he
14Should only rule, who most resembles me:
15Shadwell alone my perfect image bears,
16Mature in dullness from his tender years.
17Shadwell alone, of all my sons, is he
18Who stands confirm'd in full stupidity.
19The rest to some faint meaning make pretence,
20But Shadwell never deviates into sense.
21Some beams of wit on other souls may fall,
22Strike through and make a lucid interval;
23But Shadwell's genuine night admits no ray,
24His rising fogs prevail upon the day:
25Besides his goodly fabric fills the eye,
26And seems design'd for thoughtless majesty:
27Thoughtless as monarch oaks, that shade the plain,
28And, spread in solemn state, supinely reign.
QUESTIONS
1. Explain the metaphor of kingship! What kind of empire is the poet talking about?
3. What is the dominating metaphor of lines 21-28? (Think of the words „beams of wit”, „lucid”, „ray” etc.)
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