The Restoration and 18th Century ( ) English Department South Pasadena High School

Restoration and 18th Century ( ) and other monikers... –Augustan Age Augustus to Rome: Stuarts to England. (Both resolved civil strife: Augustus restored order to Rome after Caesar, while Stuarts restored order to England after civil wars and beheading of King Charles I) Oliver Cromwell, who ruled between Charles I and II was dug up and “beheaded” as STATEMENT! Analogy

The Restoration and 18th Century (cont.’d) –Neoclassical Period English writers modeled Latin classics which stressed the permanent/universal. The educated knew Latin well! –Enlightenment They started asking “How?” -- not just “Why?” Natural phenomena explained by scientific observation –Age of Reason

The Fall of Puritanism In 1660, English welcomed back the royal Stuart family in the person of King Charles II –English traditions returned with him: Bull-baiting Bear-baiting Horse-racing Cock-fighting May-pole dancing Decking the halls with holly and ivy Eating mince pie –Puritan enthusiasm for devotion had exhausted itself

Colonists Vs. England Colonists: –Freedom from religious and political persecution –profit in rich lands and forests –Furs, tobacco, and logs for British sailing ships –African slaves imported –Colonies rebel in 1776 and eventually win freedom from Britain

U.S.A. Vs. England (cont.’d) Britain: –In 1660, exhausted by over 20 years of civil war –Plague –Fire (2/3 London homeless) –But…. Life was calm –Britain continues to grow globally –Middle class grows

Birth of Modern Prose King Charles II established group of philosophers called “Royal Society of London for the Promotion of Nature Knowledge” called for writing that was exact, precise, and NOT decorated with elaborate metaphors and odd allusions –John Dryden is father of this idea: Essay of Dramatic Poesy Also set standards for poetry: regularizing meter, diction precise, mastering explaining ideas, reasoning in verse. Dryden

Changes in Religion Deism: World is a mechanism which God built and left to run on its own Sir Isaac Newton and John Locke still remained religious though Newton Locke

Religion and Politics: Repression of Minority Sects Charles II reestablished Anglican Church (the main church in England today; Episcopal Church in USA) and persecuted all other sects because they contributed to instability

Bloodless Revolution: Protestants from Now On Charles II (Anglican) dies heirless Brother James II (Catholic) takes throne and has son (Catholic heir!) –They fled to France in 1688: bloodless “Glorious Revolution” Mary (Protestant), daughter of James II, takes throne of England w/ Dutch husband William of Orange. –Ever since, English rulers have been Anglican. A Catholic Icon An Anglican Icon

Addicted to the Theater During Puritan rule, theaters closed. While in France, Charles II grew to love theater and reestablished them in England –Boys no longer played parts of women Plays were frequently sexual in a nonromantic way –Reflected life of rich “Frenchified,” their servants/hanger-ons

Satire: Attacks on Immorality/Bad Taste Swift and Pope two most accomplished –Swift: Gulliver’s Travels –Pope: Rape of the Lock Pope appeals to uppermost class but was critical of them Wrote about polished manners and social poise Exposed corruption and decay just under surface of peace and order Despised corrupt politics, commercialism and materialism Jonathan Swift

Journalism: A New Profession Daniel Defoe (Robinson Crusoe) appealed to middle class: thrift, prudence, industry, respectable Journalists (Defoe, Addison and Steele) saw themselves as social reformers, just like today Coffee house journals (newspapers) grow in response to growing demand of middle class: –The Review (Defoe) –The Tatler (Sir Richard Steele) –The Spectator (Joseph Addison)

Public Poetry: Conceived in “Wit” Wit = In their minds, not in their souls OK though; they thought poetry had a public function/purpose, not a private one. –Classical styles: elegy - mourns passing of someone/thing satire - mocks someone/thing ode - public and solemn praise Poetry of the day was NOT private, intimate, or spontaneous; rather, it was highly artificial and carefully crafted for public occasions Alexander Pope is BEST example.

First English Novels Middle class/woman demand them Broad and comical; unlike novels today Story recounted through episodes or letters Popular novelists: –Daniel Defoe –Henry Fielding (rough and rowdy (ex., Tom Jones)) –Samuel Richardson (emotional life of characters) –Laurence Sterne (experimental and whimsical)

Samuel Johnson At end of 18th Century His commanding views: –Conservative and traditional –Criticized popular belief in progress: things are getting better and better –Criticized belief that men and women are naturally good (that if society is reformed, people will do what is right) –Assembled Dictionary

“Luddite” In 1779, in protest that his job was lost to industrial improvements, Ned Lud wrecked two frames belonging to his Leicestershire employer. Workers who followed him were called “Luddites.”

Searching for Simpler Life At end of 18th Century, life changing in disturbing ways: –Industrialization turned cities/towns into filthy, smoky slums –French about to murder their King, causing social upheaval –Era of elegance, taste, philosophy, and reason was over

Romanticism Is Coming Writers begin to turn to nature and its effects on the human psyche: Thus, Romanticism (our next unit).