Enlightenment is a movement against neoclassicism, which reflects the thoughts of the emerging bourgeoisie. They used literature and art to promote the Enlightenment. In order to make art better serve the emerging bourgeoisie, scholars have conducted in-depth discussions on art. The famous representatives in this field include Voltaire, Diderot, Rousseau and others. By writing books, compiling encyclopedias, advocating materialism and atheism, rationality and science, they put forward slogans such as "freedom, equality and fraternity" in politics and launched a fierce offensive against feudal autocracy and church theocracy. In addition, they also published some aesthetic views on the development of ballet art, which greatly influenced the development of ballet art.

For example, Voltaire said in On Epics: "Since the Renaissance, people have followed the example of ancient writers. Homer, Demo Stennis, Virgil and Cicero seem to unify all the ethnic groups in Europe under their rule, and form many ethnic groups into a single literary republic. However, in the overall coordination, the customs and habits of various nationalities have also caused special aesthetic tastes ... "He put forward the universality and particularity of artistic aesthetics here. In his understanding of the essence of beauty, he believes that beauty is an emotion that can make people marvel and be happy. He also believes that art can cultivate people's elegant taste. He actively supported the dance theory of18th century dance theorist Norwell. He praised, "Like Prometheus, you created the shape of a person and put your soul in it." Voltaire's thought directly influenced the reform of ballet art at that time. Under the influence of his thoughts, ballet was separated from the amateur programs of opera and became the art of expressing dramatic plots. The posture and movements of the dance closely revolve around the plot.