The Age of Enlightenment, or rather, the Neoclassical Period was an intellectual movement that took place in Europe. The period relied less on human imagination and more on practicality, incorporating scientific principles and realism. It was a time when many scholars, writers, and artists explored the beauty of simplicity and appreciated history, rather attempting to pave new ways to keep up with everything. The Neoclassical Period has given birth to many ideas that we still use today. 

The Neoclassical Period consists of three eras; the Restoration, the Augustan Age, and the Age of Johnson. The Restoration began after King Charles I was deposed from the monarchy. Writers began studying works such as the famous Paradise Lost and explored themes of sexuality. They were experimenting with various poetry forms such as rhyme. Much of the works produced during this time were more realistic, demonstrating a growing interest in real-world experiences. 

The Augustan Age saw the rise of writers like Jonathan Swift and Addison. Named after a Roman Emperor, whose reign brought with it an era of political stability, the era was characterized by the rise of the novel, the growing use of political satire, and explorational poetry. Empiricism and mercantilism flourished as trade increased between Europe and the Americas. 

The Age of Johnson integrated classical and contemporary forms of thought together. This period saw the rise of writers like Shakespeare, Gray, and Blake. Literature during this period was characterized by a transition from the Neoclassical era to the Romantic era. Many writers reflected the conflict between old traditions and new ideas, before slowly giving way to the new. However, a key figure in the movement, Dr. Samuel Johnson, championed for practicality in writing. He and another colleague, Goldsmith, strongly encouraged Neoclassical ideals, all the while opposing the growing romantic ideas. Despite this, many writers broke away from tradition, and in somewhat of a literary upheaval began experimenting in what was known as the Romantic era, an era grounded in emotion, imagination, and the supernatural, as opposed to the pragmatism of the Classical era. 

Throughout the era, the Western world experienced a flourishing of common ideas. Writers emphasized social issues, favoring cooperation rather than individualism, and understood the importance of structure and order. However, while many writers believed humanity to be good at its core, they also taught that self-control and restraint were keys to being, at the least, a decent human. Writers were also skilled at incorporating themes of human nature and society into their works. For instance, Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels delves into human pride and the importance of society. Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe goes into detail about the journeys of a young man who finds spirituality within himself. John Milton’s Paradise Lost provides readers with beautiful imagery that allows us to see both the beauty and ugliness of religion. 

The Neoclassical era was a time in which many individuals became interested in intertwining scientific principles with reality. Sensibility and rationality flourished throughout literature. But more than that, it was a time when writers started dissecting human nature in a rational manner, an approach that continues to be used today.