Here's a breakdown:
* Neoclassical period (roughly 1660-1789): This era emphasized reason, logic, order, and classical values in literature, often mimicking the style of ancient Greek and Roman writers. Key figures include Alexander Pope, John Dryden, and Jonathan Swift.
* Romantic era (roughly 1789-1830): This era reacted against the strictness of Neoclassicism, favoring emotion, imagination, individualism, and the power of nature. This period saw a shift in focus from reason to intuition, and from the objective to the subjective. Prominent figures include William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Mary Shelley, Lord Byron, and Percy Bysshe Shelley.
However, it's important to note that:
* The transition wasn't abrupt: There was some overlap and influence between the two periods. Some writers even displayed characteristics of both styles.
* There were other movements: The Romantic era was followed by other movements like Realism, Naturalism, and Modernism, each with their own unique features.
So, while the Romantic writers are considered the direct successors of Neoclassical writers, it's a complex picture with various influences and evolving trends in literary history.