The Restoration Period (1660-1700) PDF

## The Restoration Period (1660-1700) ### Why it is called the period of Restoration? - Monarchy was Restored in the England and Charles II, Son of Charles I who had been Detected and beheaded. - It is also called the age of Dryden because Dryden was the dominating the most representative literary...

## The Restoration Period (1660-1700) ### Why it is called the period of Restoration? - Monarchy was Restored in the England and Charles II, Son of Charles I who had been Detected and beheaded. - It is also called the age of Dryden because Dryden was the dominating the most representative literary figure of the age. ### Restoration Period: - The timeline of the Restoration age is 1660 to 1700 AD. - Before the restoration there was the Commonwealth period, Under the reign of Oliver Cromwell. - During that time monarchy was completely abolished during the restoration age. - Charles II was restored to the throne and monarchy was re-established in England. ### Continue.. - In 1649 Oliver Cromwell beheaded Charles the 1st and therefore monarchy ended. - Charles II tried to fight with Oliver Cromwell but Oliver Cromwell's army defeated him and Charles II had to go on exile in France. - So that Oliver Cromwell was the leader during the Commonwealth Period. - The group of the people called the Royalists who have always supported the king and monarchy. - They were always waiting for the perfect opportunity when monarchy can be Re-established in England. ### Continue... - So after Oliver Cromwell died and his son Richard Cromwell became the lord protector of England. - The Royalists got the perfect opportunity because Richard did not have the skills of Oliver Cromwell so that during that time Charles II defeated Richard Cromwell and he became the King of England. - This monarchy was Re-established in England, and so that began the Restoration age. ### Historical and Political Events: 1. **Theatre Ban was lifted in 1660:** - Charles II was restored to the throne. He lifted the theatre ban in 1660. - That's why in the civil war and Cromwell period theaters were banned. 2. **Establishment of Royal Society:** - Establishment of Royal society in the Restoration Age to promote rational inquiry, Research and development of Science. - Reasoning and Logic were given a lot of importance. 3. **The Great Fire of London:** - In 1666 time almost 300 houses were burned down in the great fire of London. 4. **Political Parties:** - 2 main political parties emerged during the Restoration age. - *Whigs*: This political party wanted to curb the power of monarchy. They were instead in the benefit and well-being of common man. - *Tory*: They believed in the divine rights of the king and completely supported monarchy. 5. **Religious Conflict:** - Charles II was an Anglican. - Puritans ideals were completely rejected. - His brother, James II was succeeded to the throne in 1685. - James II was a papist Roman Catholic. His Catholic Prejudice made the whole Nation turn against him 3 years. - In 1688, A glorious revolution occurred. Protestant William and Mary of orange took the throne from James II. - William III became the new king in 1689 AD. 6. **French Influence:** - Charles II had spent most of his years exile in France. He adopted a rich taste in English Literature. - The writers of the Restoration age imitated French writers and playwrights. ### Literary Features: 1. **The New Classicism:** - At that time writers of Restoration Age turned to the great classical weiter, especially Latin writers for inspiration. - **French influence:** 2. **In "Drama"**: - Chalres II rich taste in French literature had a great impact on the restoration drama, especially comedy. - French comedy, the great Molière's influence was tremendous. - Comedy of manners originated in France and gained popularity in the Restoration Age. - Its objective was to show the manners of Aristocratic People. - Commedia Dell'Arte is an Art from that first gained popularity in Italy and then during the Restoration Age. - Restoration Comedy was criticized for indecency and permissiveness. 3. **In "Tragedy"**: - In tragedy, French and classical models were combined to produce a new type of play called "Heroic play". - Ex. "Tyrannic Love" by "John Dryden" 4. **In "Prose"**: - Matthew Arnold said that the Restoration Age marks the birth of Modern English prose as it was the age of Intellectualism and Rationalism 5. **In "Poetry"**: - Popular poetry forms were lyric, narrative poetry odes and satires. - This age was great for satirical writing. - John Dryden "Absalom and Achitophel" is a great example of political satire and "Mac Flecknoe" is a example of personal satire. ## 1. Major Writers: 1. **John Dryden:** - Most important writer of Restoration Age. He writes poetry, drama and prose. - **Some notable poems:** - *Absalom and Achitophel* - *The Medal* - *Mac Flecknoe* - *Religion Laici* - *The Hind and the Panther* - *Song for St.Cecelia's* - *Alexander's Feast* - **Some notable plays:** - *All for Love* - *Tyrannic Love* - *The Indian Emperor* - *Conquest Of Granada* - *Aureng Zebe* ## 2. Comedy Writers: - William Congreve - William Wycherley - George Etheeredg - Sir John Vanbrugh - George Farquhar - Thomas Shadwell ## 3. Tragedy Writers: - Nathaniel Lee - Thomas Otway ## 4. Poets: - apart from Dryden notable poets is, - Samuel Butler (known for his work "Hudibras") ## 4. Prose Writers: - John Bunyan (known for "Pilgrim's Progress") - William Temple - Lord Halifax ## "6. Diary" Writers: - Samuel Pepys: His Diary opens on 1 January, 1660 and continues until May 31, 1669. - John Evelyn: His Diary contained moving incidents such as the Great Fire. ## Reference: - **Restoration writers:** - https://englishsummary.com/restoration-prose - **Historical events:** - https://study.com/academy/lesson/the-restoration-period-in-english-literature-timeline-lesson-quiz.html