French Neoclassicism and Rise to Romanticism

By hendrixalli
  • 1830 BCE

    "Hernani" by Victor Hugo

    Victor Hugo wrote the play "Hernani," which created the beginning of literary romanticism in France and put an end to French neoclassicism. An article from Britannica says, "The visit to Paris of an English Shakespearean company in 1827 had an immediate effect on French drama and acting techniques, inspiring Victor Hugo to write Hernani, which signaled the beginning of a more distinctly literary Romanticism in France" (Britannica). This is significant because it created literary romanticism.
  • Period: 1798 BCE to 1837 BCE

    The Romantic Period

    Many writers and playwrights found inspiration for romanticism from the French Revolution. Romanticism was created as a reaction to industrialism. An article from "Eastern Connecticut University" says, "Romanticism was a reaction against this spread of industrialism, as well as a criticism of the aristocratic social and political norms and a call for more attention to nature" (Alleggretti). This event is significant because it is a part of the rise to romanticism.
  • Period: 1770 BCE to 1780 BCE

    The Sturm und Drang movement

    The German Sturn und Drang is a German literary movement that used romanticism and violated French neoclassicism. An article from "Oxford Academic" states, "Literary innovators in Germany directed their fire against the continuing influence of French Neo-Classicism, particularly in drama...The Sturm und Drang and early German Romanticism evoked medieval and popular themes" (Hamnett). This is a significant event because it influenced romanticism.
  • 1767 BCE

    "The Prince of Parthia" by Thomas Godfrey

    Thomas Godfrey wrote a neoclassical tragedy that is a lot of the time considered to be the first play written by an American. An article by "Brittianica" says, "Thomas Godfrey’s Neoclassical tragedy The Prince of Parthia is often considered the first play by an American, but recognizably American characters did not appear on stage until Royall Tyler’s The Contrast, the first American comedy" (Brittanica). This is significant because "The Prince of Parthia" is a play that shows neoclassicism.
  • 1677 BCE

    "Phaedra" By Racine

    "Phaedra" is a neoclassical tragedy, it's Racine's best work of theatre and is still the head of classic dramatic literature. An article from "The Harvard Crimson" states, "Phaedra, a neoclassical tragedy of the 17th century, represents Racine's finest masterpiece of the theater and continues to reign at the forefront of classic dramatic literature" (Austin). This is a significant form of theatre because the play represents neoclassicism and is a huge example of it.
  • Period: 1664 BCE to 1673 BCE

    Moliere Combines Neoclassicism, Commedia Dell'arte and French Farce

    Moliere mixed neoclassicism, Commedia Dell'arte, and French farce in plays. Some of his famous works are "Tartuffe" (1664), "Misanthrope" (1666), and "The Imaginary Invalid" (1673). In the textbook, it says, "In the 1660s, he successfully combined neoclassicism, commedia dell’arte, and French farce in plays that ridiculed social and moral pretense." (Kahl, 12). This is a top-ten person because Moliere used neoclassicism
    in his plays.
  • Period: 1643 BCE to 1715 BCE

    King Louis XIV Bestowed Royal Patronage on Theatre

    King Louis XIV's bestowing of Royal patronage on Theatre led to public theatres being built in Paris, France and the making of acting troupes. Women were also in performances. The textbook says, "This led to the construction of large public theatres in Paris, as well as the establishment of resident acting troupes, including an Italian commedia troupe." (Kahl, 12). This is a significant event because this is what led to theatres in Paris where neoclassicism was displayed.
  • 1637 BCE

    Pierre Cornielles play "Le Cid" was written

    Pierre Corneille, a playwright, wrote many comedies, including "Le Cid," which helped him to discover the French Academy. It was based on a Spanish play called "Las Mocedades del Cid." The textbook states, "This tragicomedy was based on the Spanish play, Las Mocedades del Cid and Corneille applied neoclassical ideals to the adaptation." (Kahl, 12). This made a top-ten choice because "Le Cid" has many neoclassical elements, leading Pierre to discover the French Academy. Le Cid means The Lord.
  • 1636 BCE

    The French Academy

    In 1636 educated playwrights appeared in France and created the French Academy. The textbook says, "In the 1630s, an educated class of playwrights began to emerge, and at the request of Cardinal Richelieu, in 1636, they established the French Academy, a group limited to forty writers and intellectuals" (Kahl, 12). This made my top ten events because the French Academy was the start of French Neoclassicism.

  • The French Revolution

    The French Revolution inspired liberty and equality, which is a huge part of romanticism. An article from Boise State University says, "Though influenced by other artistic and intellectual movements, the ideologies and events of the French Revolution created the primary context from which both Romanticism and the Counter-Enlightenment emerged" (Jones). This is a significant event because the French Revolution inspired many things that are important to romanticism.