The Quarrel between the Ancients and the Moderns

Start Free Trial

The Quarrel between the Ancients and the Moderns Criticism

The Quarrel between the Ancients and the Moderns was a notable intellectual and literary debate in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, primarily in France and England. This dispute centered on the question of whether the classical works of Greek and Roman antiquity were superior to contemporary writings. The Ancients revered the classical era as the pinnacle of human achievement, advocating for the imitation of its wisdom and artistry. In contrast, the Moderns argued for the progression of knowledge and the refinement of taste, considering contemporary works as improvements upon the past. As noted by Joseph M. Levine, these debates often focused on differing assessments of Homer’s works.

Contents