Restoration Period || Major Events || Writers & Works

History of English Literature

23 Apr 202306:29

Summary

TLDRThe Restoration period in English literature (1660-1688) marked a shift from Puritan austerity to a more hedonistic and experimental approach. Key events include the restoration of King Charles II, the reopening of theaters, and the emergence of Restoration drama. Notable writers like John Dryden, Aphra Behn, and William Wycherley brought themes of love, sex, and social class into their works. The period also saw the birth of the novel and the rise of scientific thought through the Royal Society. The Glorious Revolution ended this dynamic literary era.

Takeaways

👑 The Restoration period began in 1660 when King Charles II was restored to the throne, marking a shift in English literature.
🎭 Theaters, banned during the Puritan regime, were reopened, leading to the rise of Restoration drama known for its wit and satire.
📖 The novel as a literary genre began to emerge, with Aphra Behn's 'Oroonoko' being a notable work from this era.
📝 Restoration drama, characterized by its bawdy humor, explored themes such as love, sex, and social class.
✍️ John Dryden became a leading literary figure of the Restoration, known for his poetry, plays, and critical works.
👩‍💼 Aphra Behn was one of the first English women to make a living through writing, contributing plays and novels.
🤴 John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester, was notorious for his scandalous lifestyle and irreverent poetry.
📜 The Royal Society, founded in 1660, promoted scientific research, influencing the literature and intellectual landscape of the time.
📚 John Bunyan's 'The Pilgrim's Progress' became a classic work of allegorical literature from this period.
🗓 The Glorious Revolution of 1688 marked the end of the Restoration period, transitioning England to a constitutional monarchy.

Q & A

What event marks the beginning of the Restoration period in English literature?
-The Restoration period in English literature began in 1660 with the restoration of King Charles II to the throne after the Puritan Commonwealth.
How did the Restoration of the monarchy impact English literature?
-The restoration of the monarchy led to a significant shift in English literature, moving from Puritan austerity and moralism to a more hedonistic and relaxed approach. It also resulted in the reopening of theaters and the revival of drama.
What is Restoration drama known for?
-Restoration drama is known for its wit, humor, and satire, as well as its frank exploration of themes such as love, sex, and social class.
Who was John Dryden and why is he important to the Restoration period?
-John Dryden was a leading literary figure of the Restoration period, often called the father of English poetry. He was known for his use of heroic couplets and wrote plays, poems, and critical works, including 'All for Love' and 'Annus Mirabilis'.
How did the novel genre emerge during the Restoration period?
-The novel genre began to take shape during the Restoration period with works like Aphra Behn's 'Oroonoko' (1688), laying the groundwork for future novels such as Samuel Richardson's 'Pamela' and Henry Fielding's 'Tom Jones'.
What role did Aphra Behn play in Restoration literature?
-Aphra Behn was one of the first English women to earn a living as a writer. She wrote plays like 'The Rover' and novels such as 'Oroonoko', and her works were known for their bawdy humor and exploration of sexual themes.
What was the significance of the reopening of theaters during the Restoration period?
-The reopening of theaters, which had been closed during the Puritan regime, was significant because it revitalized drama and allowed playwrights to explore new themes, such as love, class, and morality, through witty and often scandalous performances.
How did the Royal Society influence the literature of the Restoration period?
-Founded in 1660, the Royal Society promoted scientific research and experimentation, with the works of figures like Isaac Newton and Robert Boyle influencing literature by encouraging intellectual exploration and inquiry.
What themes are common in the works of Restoration playwrights like William Wycherley and George Etherege?
-Restoration playwrights like William Wycherley and George Etherege often explored themes of sexual relationships, social class, and hypocrisy, using wit and satire to critique the social and political institutions of the time.
How did the Glorious Revolution affect the Restoration period in English literature?
-The Glorious Revolution of 1688 marked the end of the Restoration period by overthrowing King James II and establishing a constitutional monarchy under William and Mary. This political shift also signaled changes in literature, reflecting new political realities.

Outlines

00:00

🎭 Restoration Period in English Literature

The Restoration period, beginning in 1660 with the return of King Charles II and ending in 1688 with the Glorious Revolution, marked a significant shift in English literature from Puritan austerity to a more indulgent and playful style. Key events include the Restoration of the Monarchy, which allowed for the reopening of theaters and the emergence of Restoration drama characterized by wit, humor, and satire. Playwrights like William Wycherley and George Etherege gained prominence for their bawdy and satirical works. The novel as a genre was also born during this time, with Aphra Behn's 'Oroonoko' being a notable example. John Dryden, often called the father of English poetry, contributed significantly with his use of heroic couplets. The Royal Society's promotion of scientific research influenced literature, and the period ended with the Glorious Revolution, which established a constitutional monarchy.

05:01

📜 Notable Writers and Works of the Restoration Period

The Restoration period was a fertile ground for literary innovation, producing enduring works and notable writers. John Dryden was a leading figure, writing plays and epic poems that shaped English literature. Aphra Behn was a pioneering woman writer, known for her plays and novels, including 'Oroonoko'. The Earl of Rochester was infamous for his scandalous life and irreverent poetry. Thomas Otway wrote tragic plays that explored themes of love and betrayal. William Wycherley was known for his bawdy and satirical plays that criticized societal norms. George Etherege's comedies of manners were appreciated for their wit and social commentary. John Bunyan's 'The Pilgrim's Progress' became a classic with its allegorical narrative. Samuel Pepys' detailed diaries offer a personal perspective on the period's social and political landscape. This era was characterized by a hedonistic spirit and experimentation, leading to a rich literary legacy.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Restoration period

The Restoration period refers to the time in English history following the English Civil War and the Puritan Commonwealth, starting in 1660 when Charles II was restored to the throne. This period marks a significant shift in literature, with themes moving from the moral rigidity of the Puritans to more relaxed, hedonistic topics. The reopening of theaters and the emergence of new literary forms are central elements of this era.

💡Restoration drama

Restoration drama is a genre of theater that flourished after the reopening of theaters in 1660, following the Puritan ban on stage performances. It is characterized by its wit, humor, and satirical treatment of social and sexual themes. Playwrights such as William Wycherley and George Etherege were known for their bawdy humor and social critique in works like 'The Country Wife' and 'The Man of Mode'.

💡Reopening of the theaters

With the restoration of Charles II to the throne, the previously banned theaters were reopened. This led to a resurgence of English drama, where playwriting became a popular form of entertainment. The reopening marks a symbolic return to public and cultural life, shifting away from the austerity of the Puritan regime.

💡Aphra Behn

Aphra Behn was one of the first English women to earn a living through writing, and a prominent figure of the Restoration period. She is best known for her play 'The Rover' and her novel 'Oroonoko', which is considered one of the earliest examples of the English novel. Behn's work often explored sexual themes and challenged societal norms of the time, making her a key figure in the changing literary landscape.

💡John Dryden

John Dryden is often considered the leading literary figure of the Restoration period. He was a poet, playwright, and critic known for his use of heroic couplets in works such as 'Absalom and Achitophel' and 'Annus Mirabilis'. Dryden also made significant contributions to literary criticism with essays like 'An Essay of Dramatic Poesy', influencing both the style and substance of Restoration literature.

💡Glorious Revolution

The Glorious Revolution of 1688 marked the end of the Restoration period. It resulted in the overthrow of King James II and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy under William and Mary. This political shift had significant implications for the cultural and intellectual life of England, influencing the evolution of English literature beyond the Restoration era.

💡Royal Society

The Royal Society, founded in 1660, was an institution dedicated to promoting scientific research and experimentation. Figures like Isaac Newton and Robert Boyle were associated with the Royal Society, and their work had a profound impact on the literature of the time, encouraging a spirit of inquiry and intellectual exploration that paralleled the artistic experimentation of the Restoration.

💡John Bunyan

John Bunyan was a preacher and writer best known for his allegorical novel 'The Pilgrim’s Progress', which depicts a spiritual journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City. Though he was not part of the Restoration’s more hedonistic literary culture, Bunyan's work was widely read and reflected the ongoing influence of religious themes in English literature.

💡Libertinism

Libertinism during the Restoration refers to a lifestyle characterized by hedonism, skepticism, and the rejection of traditional moral values, particularly those related to sexual conduct. Figures like John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester, were famous for their libertine attitudes, which were reflected in their scandalous poetry and behavior. This outlook contrasted sharply with the Puritanical moralism of the earlier Commonwealth period.

💡Novel

The novel began to emerge as a literary form during the Restoration period. Aphra Behn’s 'Oroonoko' (1688) is one of the earliest examples, depicting the story of an African prince sold into slavery. The rise of the novel represents a significant development in English literature, introducing longer, prose-based narratives that would eventually dominate the literary landscape in the 18th century.

Highlights

The Restoration period in English literature began in 1660, following the Civil War and Puritan Commonwealth.

This era marked the return of King Charles II to the throne, starting a significant shift in literature and culture.

Theaters were reopened after being banned during the Puritan regime, leading to the rise of Restoration drama as a new genre.

Restoration drama was characterized by wit, humor, satire, and exploration of love, sex, and social class.

The novel as a literary genre emerged during this period, with Aphra Behn's 'Oroonoko' in 1688 being a notable example.

John Dryden became a leading literary figure, known for his plays, poetry, and influential critical works such as 'An Essay of Dramatic Poesy.'

Aphra Behn was one of the first English women to earn a living as a writer, contributing bawdy humor and sexual themes to the literature of the time.

John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester, was infamous for his libertine lifestyle and irreverent poetry, including 'A Satire Against Reason and Mankind.'

Thomas Otway's tragedies like 'Venice Preserved' were noted for their emotional depth and themes of love and betrayal.

William Wycherley wrote satirical plays such as 'The Country Wife,' focusing on sexual themes and critiques of social institutions.

George Etherege was known for comedies of manners like 'The Man of Mode,' with witty dialogue and social commentary.

John Bunyan's 'The Pilgrim's Progress,' an allegory of Christian's spiritual journey, became a classic of English literature.

Samuel Pepys kept detailed diaries documenting daily life and events during the Restoration, offering valuable historical insights.

The Royal Society, founded in 1660, promoted scientific research, and figures like Isaac Newton and Robert Boyle influenced the intellectual landscape.

The Glorious Revolution of 1688 marked the end of the Restoration period, with the overthrow of King James II and establishment of a constitutional monarchy.