Here is a list of key facts about the Restoration Period in English literature:
- Timeframe: The Restoration period spans from 1660, when Charles II was restored to the English throne, to around 1700.
- Political Context: The restoration of the monarchy marked the end of Puritan rule under Oliver Cromwell and brought about a revival of arts, theatre, and literature, which had been suppressed.
- Dominant Literary Forms: Comedy of manners, heroic drama, satire, and poetry were dominant. Prose became more refined, and there was an emergence of literary criticism.
- Restoration Comedy: Known for its wit, sexual explicitness, and satire of societal norms. Key playwrights include:
- William Wycherley – The Country Wife (1675)
- William Congreve – The Way of the World (1700)
- Key Poets:
- John Dryden – Dominant literary figure of the era, known for works like Absalom and Achitophel (1681) and Mac Flecknoe (1682). He also served as England’s first Poet Laureate.
- Samuel Butler – Wrote the mock-heroic poem Hudibras (1663-1678), satirizing Puritanism.
- Heroic Drama: Flourished during the early Restoration period, often characterized by lofty themes and grandiose style. John Dryden’s The Conquest of Granada (1670) is a significant example.
- Prose Development: Restoration saw a rise in prose writing, especially in areas like history and literary criticism.
- John Bunyan – The Pilgrim’s Progress (1678) became one of the most famous works of Christian allegory.
- Aphra Behn – One of the first English women to earn a living by writing; her novel Oroonoko (1688) is a pioneering work in the history of the English novel.
- Satire and Criticism: Satire became a prominent tool in the hands of writers like Dryden. The period also saw the development of literary criticism, with Dryden’s An Essay of Dramatic Poesy (1668) being a seminal work.
- Theatre: Theatre reopened after the Puritan ban, and women were allowed to perform on stage for the first time. Restoration plays were known for their licentiousness and biting social commentary.
- Influence of French Culture: With Charles II’s return from exile in France, French influence permeated English court, fashion, and theatre, leading to the adoption of neoclassical ideals in drama and literature.
- Key Themes: Satire of politics, social class, and gender roles, exploration of moral ambiguity, and a shift towards secularism in literature.
- Scientific and Intellectual Progress: The Royal Society, established in 1660, encouraged scientific inquiry, and writers like John Dryden reflected this growing interest in science and empiricism in their works.
These facts represent the essence of the Restoration Period in English literature, characterized by its vibrant theatrical culture, rise in satirical and witty writing, and reflection of the political and social changes of the time.
Literary Latitude 