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.
Popes 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.