18th Century Literature: A Guide to the Enlightenment and Neoclassicism
18th Century Literature
1. The Eighteenth Century
An age of population growth and improved standards of living. This need favors the development of agriculture and boosts the Industrial Revolution. Politically, the 18th century persists in absolute monarchy until the French Revolution. Spain faces a political crisis following the disappearance of the Habsburg dynasty and its replacement by the enlightened Bourbons. They intend to modernize the country but encounter much resistance. Throughout the century, major cultural institutions are founded: the National Library, the Royal Spanish Academy, etc.
2. The Enlightenment
A philosophical and political movement characteristic of the eighteenth century, also known as the Century of Lights. It is based on reason as the foundation of knowledge. The Enlightenment promotes scientific development and discoveries. Numerous technical works, often in dictionary form, are intended to summarize the knowledge of the era. In aesthetics, Neoclassicism dominates the arts. Balanced composition prevails in painting. In literature, epic and lyric poetry are distinguished from dramatic works like comedies.
3. Prose
Many Enlightenment works of the eighteenth century aim to disseminate ideas to reform society. The first periodicals appear. Narrative, an early literary genre, disappears in the 18th century. The preferred prose form of the Enlightenment was the essay, written with didactic intention.
4. Poetry
During the eighteenth century, the pace of Baroque poetry slows down, giving way to illustrated poetry. The most important poet is Juan Meléndez Valdés. Neoclassical poetry, modeled after Greco-Roman classical writers, is the dominant form among Spanish poets of the eighteenth century. Common themes include the praise of fine arts, the critique of ignorance and superstition. Alongside this, there is another type of poetry: philosophical and delicate, with pastoral themes of nature and everyday life. It praises the pleasures of the century and can be considered pre-Romantic poetry.
5. Theater
Baroque theater, preferred by the public, continued for a long time, so Neoclassical theater was slow to gain traction. Slowly, it began to be imposed through the works of illustrated playwrights. Although farces, short comical pieces performed during the intervals of major plays, enjoyed the highest acceptance, Neoclassical comedy did not achieve success until later with the works of Leandro Fernández de Moratín. His theater is characterized by respect for the rule of three unities and the intention of being believable.