Montaigne and What is a Classic? - Classic Text | Alexandria
"What is a Classic?" - A Literary Dialogue Across Time
"What is a Classic?" (Qu'est-ce qu'un classique?), published in 1850 by Charles Augustin Sainte-Beuve (1804-1869), stands as a seminal work in literary criticism that ingeniously interweaves the wisdom of Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) with nineteenth-century perspectives on literary excellence. This influential essay, first appearing in Le Constitutionnel newspaper, represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of literary canon formation and critical theory.
The work emerges from the intellectual ferment of mid-nineteenth-century France, when the nation was grappling with questions of cultural identity and literary heritage. Sainte-Beuve, drawing inspiration from Montaigne's humanistic skepticism and intellectual curiosity, crafts a sophisticated exploration of what constitutes literary greatness. His definition of a classic transcends mere temporal endurance, suggesting that true classics possess an eternal freshness while simultaneously embodying the accumulated wisdom of their age.
The essay's brilliance lies in its dual engagement with Montaigne's Renaissance humanism and contemporary nineteenth-century literary debates. Sainte-Beuve skillfully demonstrates how Montaigne's Essays exemplify the qualities of a classic: intellectual honesty, universal appeal, and the capacity to speak meaningfully across generations. The work is particularly noteworthy for its subtle critique of romantic excess while advocating for balanced judgment in literary evaluation.
The legacy of this text continues to resonate in modern discussions of canon formation and literary value. Its influence can be traced through T.S. Eliot's "What is a Classic?" (1944) and subsequent twentieth-century debates about literary tradition and innovation. Modern scholars frequently return to Sainte-Beuve's nuanced analysis, finding in it a model for considering how literary works achieve lasting significance while remaining vitally relevant to contemporary readers. The dialogue between Montaigne's Renaissance perspective and Sainte-Beuve's nineteenth-century insights raises enduring questions about the nature of literary excellence and the relationship between tradition and individual talent. What makes a work transcend its historical moment to speak to future generations remains as pertinent today as when Sainte-Beuve first posed the question.