The Augustan Age (1700–1745): The Age of Reason, Prose, and Realism
The Augustan Age occupies an important place in the history of English literature. It was a period when literature became more realistic, practical, and closely connected to everyday life. New literary forms such as the essay, periodical, and novel flourished, and writers focused on reason, order, and social issues rather than imagination and fantasy.
To understand this period better, it is helpful to explore its historical background and literary characteristics.
➤ Historical Background of the Augustan Age
Political Stability and the Glorious Revolution
The Augustan Age followed the Glorious Revolution of 1688, which ended the rule of the Stuart kings and brought William of Orange and Mary II to the English throne.
This event was significant because it:
Established political stability in England.
Strengthened the power of Parliament.
Reduced conflicts over royal authority.
Gave people greater freedom of expression.
As a result, society became more peaceful and organized, creating a favourable environment for literature and intellectual growth.
Growth of Public Discussion
During this period, people became increasingly interested in politics, government, and social affairs.
Several developments encouraged public discussion:
Newspapers and magazines became popular.
The first daily newspaper, The Daily Courant, was published in 1702.
People regularly read and discussed current events.
A unique feature of the period was the rise of coffeehouses.
Coffeehouses served as centres of:
Conversation
Debate
News sharing
Intellectual discussion
Thousands of coffeehouses and clubs were established across England. People from different backgrounds gathered there to exchange ideas and discuss political and social issues.
Instead of settling disagreements through conflict, people increasingly learned to discuss differences peacefully and rationally.
Religious Tolerance
England was home to different religious groups, including:
Anglicans
Catholics
Dissenters (Protestant groups outside the Church of England)
Although religious differences remained, people gradually began to value:
Reason
Moderation
Tolerance
Religious debates became more civilized than they had been in earlier centuries.
Rise of National Pride
England became a stronger and more influential nation during the eighteenth century.
Military victories and overseas expansion increased national confidence. Important figures such as:
Robert Clive
James Wolfe
James Cook
helped expand British influence around the world.
This growing power created a strong sense of national pride among the English people.
➤ Literary Characteristics of the Augustan Age
The eighteenth century is often called the Age of Prose because prose writing became more important than poetry.
1. The Triumph of Prose
The social and political changes of the time created a need for clear and practical communication.
People wanted information about:
Politics
Society
Religion
Education
Current events
As a result, prose became the most popular form of writing.
Several literary forms flourished:
- Essays
Short pieces discussing social, moral, or political issues.
- Newspapers
Provided regular news and information.
- Magazines and Periodicals
Published articles, opinions, and literary discussions.
- Novels
Began to emerge as a major literary form and gained immense popularity.
Important prose writers of the period included:
- Joseph Addison
- Jonathan Swift
- Henry Fielding
- Edward Gibbon
- Edmund Burke
2. Realism
One of the most important features of Augustan literature was realism.
Instead of focusing on fantasy, myths, or heroic adventures, writers concentrated on:
Everyday life
Human behaviour
Social customs
Real problems faced by ordinary people
Literature became a reflection of society and human nature.
This realistic approach later helped in the development of the English novel.
3. Polished and Refined Style
Writers of the Augustan Age valued:
Clarity
Elegance
Balance
Correctness
Their writing was carefully organized and highly polished.
They believed literature should be:
Logical
Well-structured
Easy to understand
As a result, language became refined and disciplined.
4. Importance of Satire: Click here to read more about Satires
Satire became one of the most popular literary forms of the age.
Satire is a form of writing that exposes:
Human weaknesses
Social problems
Political corruption
through:
Humour
Irony
Ridicule
The purpose of satire is not only to entertain but also to criticize and encourage improvement.
Major Satirists
Alexander Pope
Jonathan Swift
Joseph Addison
Common Targets of Satire
Corrupt politicians
Social pretensions
Human foolishness
Moral weaknesses
Satire allowed writers to comment on society in an intelligent and entertaining way.
5. Decline of Poetic Imagination
Compared to the Elizabethan Age, poetry during the Augustan Age became less imaginative and emotional.
Writers placed greater importance on:
Reason
Logic
Intellect
rather than:
Passion
Emotion
Imagination
Poetry was often used for:
Criticism
Satire
Moral instruction
Philosophical discussion
As a result, poetry became more intellectual than emotional.
Augustan Age - Classical Age
The Augustan Age is often called the Classical Age because writers admired the literature of ancient Greece and Rome.
They tried to imitate the qualities found in classical literature, such as:
Order
Balance
Discipline
Reason
Elegance
Writers believed that literature should follow established rules and maintain artistic control.
Understanding the Meaning of “Classic”
The word classic has several meanings.
1. Great Literary Works
A classic is a work of outstanding quality that continues to be admired across generations.
Examples include:
The Iliad
The Aeneid
2. The Golden Age of a Nation's Literature
Every nation experiences a period when many great writers and works appear.
Examples include:
The Age of Augustus in Rome
The Age of Dante in Italy
The Age of Louis XIV in France
The Age of Queen Anne in England
The Augustan Age is considered England's classical or golden literary period.
3. Eighteenth-Century Classicism
The literary movement of the eighteenth century emphasized:
Reason over emotion
Intellect over imagination
Form over content
Rules over freedom
As a result, literature became:
Formal
Elegant
Controlled
Highly structured
Pseudo-Classicism
Many literary scholars describe the Augustan Age as a period of Pseudo-Classicism.
Why “Pseudo-Classicism”?
Although writers admired and copied classical literature, they often focused too much on following rules.
As a result, some works lacked:
Originality
Passion
Creative energy
Critics argue that excessive attention to form sometimes made literature:
Artificial
Mechanical
Overly formal
However, despite these limitations, the Augustan Age made a major contribution to English literature through the development of prose, satire, journalism, and the novel.
Conclusion
The Augustan Age was a period of reason, order, and realism. Political stability, the growth of public discussion, and increasing literacy encouraged the development of prose writing. Essays, newspapers, periodicals, satire, and novels became highly popular. While writers valued classical ideals such as balance and discipline, they also helped shape modern English literature by focusing on society, human behaviour, and everyday life. For these reasons, the Augustan Age remains one of the most influential periods in the history of English literature.
References:
Alagia, Kavisha. “The Neo Classical Age.” Slideshare, https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/the-neoclassical-agepptx/252235164?utm_source=clipboard_share_button&utm_campaign=slideshare_make_sharing_viral_v2&utm_variation=control&utm_medium=share.
Long, William J. English Literature: Its History and Its Significance for the Life of the English-Speaking World. Ginn and Company, 1909.
