Restoration Period || Major Events || Writers & Works
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
🎭 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.
📜 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
💡Restoration drama
💡Reopening of the theaters
💡Aphra Behn
💡John Dryden
💡Glorious Revolution
💡Royal Society
💡John Bunyan
💡Libertinism
💡Novel
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.
Transcripts
The Restoration period in English literature refers to the era that followed the Civil
War and the Puritan Commonwealth.
This period began in 1660, when King Charles II was restored to the throne after the Puritan
dictatorship, and lasted until 1688 when the Glorious Revolution took place.
During this time, English literature saw a significant shift in style and subject matter,
marking a transition from the austerity and moralism of the Puritans to a more relaxed
and hedonistic approach.
The Restoration period in English literature was a time of great change and experimentation.
Here are some of the most significant events that occurred during this era:
Restoration of the Monarchy: In 1660, King Charles II was restored to the throne after
the Puritan Commonwealth, which had banned theater and other forms of entertainment.
The restoration of the monarchy marked the beginning of a new era in English literature.
Reopening of the Theaters: With the restoration of the monarchy came the reopening of the
theaters, which had been closed during the Puritan regime.
Playwriting became a popular form of entertainment, and Restoration drama emerged as a new genre.
The Emergence of the Novel: The novel as a literary genre emerged during the Restoration
period, with the publication of Aphra Behn's Oroonoko in 1688.
Other notable works include Samuel Richardson's Pamela (1740) and Henry Fielding's Tom Jones
(1749).
Restoration Drama: Restoration drama was characterized by its wit, humor, and satire, as well as
its exploration of themes such as love, sex, and social class.
Playwrights such as William Wycherley, George Etherege, and William Congreve wrote plays
that were notorious for their bawdy humor and frank depiction of sexual relationships.
John Dryden: John Dryden is often referred to as the father of English poetry.
His work was characterized by its elegance and its use of heroic couplets, which became
a popular form of verse during this time.
Royal Society: The Royal Society was founded in 1660, with the aim of promoting scientific
research and experimentation.
The works of scientists such as Isaac Newton and Robert Boyle had a profound impact on
literature of the time.
The Glorious Revolution: The Glorious Revolution of 1688 marked the end of the Restoration
period.
It saw the overthrow of King James II and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy
under William and Mary.
Here are some of the most notable writers and their works from the Restoration Period:
John Dryden: John Dryden was a poet, playwright, and critic who was the leading literary figure
of the Restoration Period.
He wrote plays such as "All for Love," "Marriage A-la-Mode," and "The Conquest of Granada,"
as well as epic poems such as "Annus Mirabilis" and "Absalom and Achitophel."
Dryden also wrote influential critical works, including "An Essay of Dramatic Poesy" and
"Discourses Concerning Satire and Epic Poetry."
Aphra Behn: Aphra Behn was a playwright, poet, and novelist who was one of the first English
women to earn a living through writing.
Her plays, such as "The Rover" and "The Widow Ranter," were notable for their bawdy humor
and exploration of sexual themes.
Behn also wrote several novels, including "Oroonoko," which is often considered one
of the earliest examples of the English novel.
John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester: John Wilmot, also known as the Earl of Rochester, was a
poet and playwright who was notorious for his scandalous behavior and libertine lifestyle.
His poetry, such as "A Satire Against Reason and Mankind" and "Upon Nothing," was marked
by its irreverence and skepticism.
Thomas Otway: Thomas Otway was a playwright who wrote tragic plays such as "Venice Preserved"
and "The Orphan."
His works were noted for their powerful emotional impact and exploration of themes such as love,
betrayal, and honor.
William Wycherley: William Wycherley was a playwright who wrote bawdy and satirical plays
such as "The Country Wife" and "The Plain Dealer."
His works were notable for their exploration of sexual themes and their criticism of social
and political institutions.
George Etherege: George Etherege was a playwright who wrote comedies of manners such as "The
Man of Mode."
His works were noted for their witty dialogue and exploration of social and cultural mores.
John Bunyan: John Bunyan was a writer and preacher who is best known for his allegorical
novel "The Pilgrim's Progress."
The novel, which tells the story of Christian's journey from the City of Destruction to the
Celestial City, was widely read and became a classic of English literature.
Samuel Pepys: Samuel Pepys was a writer and diarist who kept a detailed record of his
daily life during the Restoration Period.
His diaries provide a fascinating glimpse into the social, political, and cultural landscape
of the time, and are a valuable historical document.
Overall, the Restoration period was a time of great change and experimentation in English
literature.
It marked a transition from the strict moralism of the Puritan era to a more hedonistic and
free-spirited approach, and it gave rise to some of the most enduring works of English
literature.
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