Classic and Contemporary Poets

Joseph Addison (1672–1719) was an English essayist, poet, playwright, and politician, who, along with his friend Richard Steele, was a leading contributor to and guiding spirit of the periodicals "The Tatler" and "The Spectator". Addison’s works helped define the Augustan Age of English literature, an era marked by the imitation of Virgil and Horace's literature in Latin classics, characterized by its commitment to order and the rules of classical literature.

Literary Background and Early Influences

Born in Milston, Wiltshire, Addison was the eldest son of the Reverend Lancelot Addison. His education at Charterhouse and Oxford, where he excelled in classics, profoundly influenced his literary work and led to the beginnings of his career as a writer. Addison’s interest in the classics is evident throughout his work, not only in his essays but also in his poetry, which reflects the orderliness and rationality of the Augustan mode.

Poetic Schools or Movements

Addison's work is often associated with the Augustan period, which was closely aligned with the Enlightenment. This was an era that valued wit, reason, and clarity. It was known as Augustan because the writers of the time saw themselves as sharing a literary kinship with the age of Roman Emperor Augustus, when Virgil, Horace, and Ovid wrote. Addison’s contributions to "The Spectator", which included essays and social commentaries, helped to shape the literary tastes and mores of the period.

Poetic Oeuvre: Phases and Themes

Although Addison's poetry may not be as widely celebrated as his prose today, it was quite influential in his own time. His poem "The Campaign" (1704), which commemorated the Duke of Marlborough's victory at the Battle of Blenheim, brought him much fame and the position of Commissioner of Appeals. Addison's poetry is characterized by its public, occasional nature—written for events or patrons—and a style that favored classical allusions and poetic justice.

Another significant work was his tragic play "Cato" (1713), which was admired for its classical simplicity and moral earnestness. The play reflects Enlightenment ideals and was known for its influence on both the social and political thought of the time, including on figures such as George Washington.

Influence and Honors

Addison's influence was considerable during his lifetime. He not only helped to standardize the English essay as a literary genre but also had a significant impact on the development of English poetry and the theater of the 18th century. His clean, clear, and balanced style was a model of prose for many generations of English writers.

Conclusion

Joseph Addison remains an important figure in the development of English literature. His work in the early 18th century helped to cultivate a taste for a new kind of literature that was less grandiose than that of the previous century, emphasizing order, wit, and precision. His writings contributed to the growing interest in the public sphere as a space for debate and discussion, thus influencing not just literary culture but also the culture of democracy and social engagement. Addison’s legacy is one of both literary and civic achievement, with his works still being studied as examples of the finest Augustan prose.

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