The restoration period in english literature. Restoration literature 2023-01-01

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The Restoration period in English literature refers to the time period between 1660 and 1700, following the Interregnum and the rule of Oliver Cromwell. This period was marked by the return of the monarchy, with King Charles II taking the throne after the death of Cromwell. The Restoration period is known for its focus on refinement, wit, and intellectualism, as well as the emergence of new literary genres such as the restoration comedy and the heroic play.

One of the most notable features of the Restoration period was the renewed emphasis on social and cultural refinement. The years of Puritan rule under Cromwell had been marked by strict moral codes and a suppression of leisure and artistic pursuits. With the return of the monarchy, there was a renewed focus on pleasure, enjoyment, and the finer things in life. This is reflected in the literature of the time, which often focused on the lives and antics of the wealthy and privileged classes.

One of the most popular genres of literature during the Restoration period was the restoration comedy, which depicted the wit and sophistication of upper-class society. These plays often featured witty dialogue, clever wordplay, and sexual innuendo, and were popular with audiences of all classes. Some of the most famous restoration comedies include William Wycherley's "The Country Wife" and William Congreve's "The Way of the World."

In addition to the restoration comedy, the heroic play was another popular genre during this time. These plays featured larger-than-life heroes who were often based on historical or mythological figures. They often had complex plots and featured themes of honor, bravery, and love. Some of the most famous heroic plays of the Restoration period include John Dryden's "All for Love" and Nathaniel Lee's "The Rival Queens."

Another notable feature of the literature of the Restoration period was the emergence of the essay as a literary form. During this time, there was a great deal of intellectual ferment and debate, and the essay became a popular means of expressing and discussing ideas. Some of the most famous essayists of the time include John Dryden, Joseph Addison, and Richard Steele, who together founded the famous periodical "The Spectator."

In conclusion, the Restoration period in English literature was marked by a renewed focus on refinement, wit, and intellectualism, as well as the emergence of new literary genres such as the restoration comedy and the heroic play. This period was also marked by the emergence of the essay as a literary form, and saw the publication of many influential periodicals and essays.

Restoration literature

the restoration period in english literature

Although Muddiman's productions are the first regular news accounts, they are still not the first modern newspaper, as the work was sent in manuscript by post to subscribers and was not a printed sheet for general sale to the public. This later, more philosophical work discusses the strange position between God and beast in which people find themselves. He was awarded his Doctor of Divinity degree in 1701 Kilvert, 1997, p. Later, he was released and placed under Dutch protective guard. Her works depict women as well as men suffering and acting upon extremes of love and sexual attraction.

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Characteristics Of The Restoration Period

the restoration period in english literature

Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 8, 1660—1667. In his biography of Johnson, he recounts in detail his many, many meetings with his hero. Dictionnaire had taken 55 years to compile and required the dedication of 40 scholars. In 1695, he became Prebend of Kilroot. Throughout the period, the lyric, ariel, historical, and epic poem was being developed. His most frequent writing mode is satirical, painting a fairly critical view of personkind.

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The Restoration Period in English Literature: Timeline & Overview

the restoration period in english literature

Philosophical Context The start of the Restoration period roughly coincides with the beginning of what is known as the Enlightenment, which lasted until the end of the 18th century. Characteristics of this period included observing human nature and nature itself which were considered unchanging and constant. Shakespeare used heroic couplets at the end of his sonnets, and other important poets included Alexander Pope, who wrote mock-heroic poems in response to the barrage of epic long narratives, pastoral nature, and heroic poems of the time. Some of the best examples of this can be found in the Restoration period, which lasted from 1660 to around 1688. Quite a bit of emphasis was placed on poetic procedures, syntax, and other writing mechanics, and subjects included humanity and its flaws, social life, politics, faith, science, and modernization, The Comedy of Manners, theatrical plays that ridiculed people and utilized quite a bit of sexual humor, were extremely popular.

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The Restoration Period in England Timeline & Literature

the restoration period in english literature

Within these circumstances, the Age of Satire was born. A lot of the humor comes from the contrast between these two brothers. Therefore, a top-down view of the literary history of the Restoration has more validity than that of most literary epochs. Section 5 Jonathan Swift, despite his childish sense of humor, manages to poke fun at the aristocracy and show the commoners through allusions and hidden references what their superiors are really like. Tudor and Stuart Britain: 1485—1714 3rded. He was religious, although he struggled with faith and intermittent fears that he was damned.

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Stuart Restoration

the restoration period in english literature

The major eras and genres of American theatre include the colonial era, the Post-Revolution era, the Civil War era, Broadway, and Post-Modern—all with unique and varying aspects to them. Actors were imprisoned like vagrants, theater seating was destroyed, props were confiscated, and theatergoers were fined. United States: Pearson Education, Inc. Even its brightest hours were followed by gloom and pessimism. Poetry was written in heroic couplets: two rhyming lines of poetry written in iambic pentameter ten alternating stressed and unstressed syllables and concerned austere subject matter, hence 'heroic.


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What are some Restoration period features, important writers and their works?

the restoration period in english literature

Additionally, the court's adoption of Neo-classicism and Reflections on Ancient and Modern Learning. In the end, everything comes right at the hands of someone they thought was untrustworthy, proving that Dr. Do some further reading about the politics of the time, including some major figures like Charles II, James II, and Oliver Cromwell. Thus grew the neo-classical school of poetry. Puritanism was the religious doctrine of the revolutionary bourgeoisie during this period. However, the puritan love poetry was based on love and realism.

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Restoration Period In English History

the restoration period in english literature

The Dramatic Works of Wycherley, Congreve, Vanbrugh and Farquhar. His, as some believe, love died a few years before he did. Restoration Literature The writings of the restoration period were filled with variety and also innovation. Libertine men seduce, then cast off, their mistresses. The form was introduced by William Davenant but it was popularized by John Dryden. This epistolary novel told completely in the form of letters written to intimate friends focuses on the story of a lovely and innocent young woman, Clarissa Harlowe, and her attempted seduction by rich libertine Robert Lovelace. The poem wittily describes the dying Flecknoe anointing Shadwell as his one true heir, with a well-placed dig in every couplet.

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Summary of Restoration Period » Smart English Notes

the restoration period in english literature

The Rape of the Lock. However, novels slowly divested themselves of the Behn's first novel was The History of a Nun. That he did so without, apparently, any prompting from his patron is astonishing. He was not an authoritative leader, so Parliament invited Charles II back to the English throne in 1660, thus restoring the monarchy in England, hence the name English Restoration. Prominent she-tragedies include While she-tragedies were more comfortably tragic, in that they showed women who suffered for no fault of their own and featured Absalom and Achitophel, seemed to praise the king for his actions in the meal tub plot. Symbols were used for religious elements. Country life was also often considered very boring.

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Restoration Era Literature

the restoration period in english literature

A reader finishes it. Retrieved 15 April 2012. This was the period which witnessed the greatest reforms in the Socio-political and religious fields in England. The easiest way is to explore excerpts. Puritan Period covers the history of religious reform within the Anglican Church, commonly known as Church of England Demos, 1970.

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The Restoration Period (1660

the restoration period in english literature

What he does describe throughout the work are his progenitors, and all the characters who had input into who Shandy himself was to become. William Wycherley, The Country Wife, 1675. He was employed as a secretary to Sir William Temple Rogers, 1987, p. However, the main focus of the story is when the ship, on which he resides, crashes into a rock and he swims to shore, passing out a mile onto the island. Charles II reopened theaters upon taking the throne in 1660 after his nine-year exile in France under the rule of theater-lover, Louis XIV. Inspired by the optimism of the Enlightenment, writers began producing philosophical and religious texts. It was very bitter.

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