Theoretical Ideas of French Classicism

Abstract

This paper targets the theoretical detailed presentation of French classicism, initially the thought system and stylistic formation, philosophy and history of literary developments in the first half of the 18th century in France, and its classical authors: Corneille, Racine, La Fontaine and Molière. This stylistic or otherwise literary formation was termed classicism because it was strongly based on the authors and antique works of Greek-Roman culture, which is known as a classical culture. French classicism was born as a reaction towards "literature" and mostly "baroque art". As such, classicism had some characteristics that would distinguish it from Baroque as well as Romanticism, and was as an attempt to restore everywhere the values and tastes of ancient literature.

Keywords: Literature, classicism, style