 Civil War in England under Charles I  1649 King Charles I beheaded and this led to end of monarchy for a time.  Revolutions in science and religion had changed long-standing beliefs/traditions  Charles I always in need of $, and Parliament refused to provide it.  Charles I known for forcing poor into service (soldiers and sailors), taking loans from wealthy subjects, and forcing Puritan clergy to conform to Anglican religious practices.  Those who refused his orders were tortured like criminals.

 Ongoing battle between Charles I of England and Parliament grew intense, resulting in Puritan writers voicing their disapproval  John Milton – 1640s wrote pamphlets for the Puritan cause. One called for freedom of press.  Milton also wrote Paradise Lost, an epic poem detailing Puritan devotion to God  John Bunyan writes The Pilgrim’s Progress

 The English Commonwealth replaced monarchy after Charles I  Oliver Cromwell led this form of government  Cromwell was just another dictator and banned fancy clothing, dancing, theatre, newspapers, and more.  1660 monarch back on the throne – less rigid structure led to more religious and political freedom  Charles II ruled. He loved arts and sciences and invited Italian composers and Dutch painters to live in London.

 Catholic James II takes throne after Charles II, again leading to religious differences.  James II known for leading “The Glorious Revolution” where no blood was shed after Protestants (Mary and William of Orange) were invited to rule.  James II chose to flee to France rather than fight.

 Late 1600s = Agricultural Revolution when new tools were invented  1687 Sir Issac Newton published his study of gravity  Industrial Age = British Invention of cotton factories, perfection of the steam engine, and more merchants  Despite these advances, many British still farmed  By the late 1700s, progress meant misery due to pollution and poor working conditions  The Enlightenment = Belief that humans could discover the order of things by studying nature

 Ben Jonson ( ) created a modern, strong voice that went against Elizabethan style. He strove for perfection and harmony.  Jonson influenced other male poets known as “Sons of Ben,” which included Robert Herrick, Sir John Suckling, and Richard Lovelace  John Donne ( ) created a new, witty style of writing known as Metaphysical Poetry  George Herbert and Andrew Marvell followed Donne

 Concern with philosophical issues  Witty tone  Conceits = extended comparisons that link objects/ideas not commonly associated with one another. (Example = Donne’s comparison of two lovers and two legs of a drawing compass.)  Paradoxes = Images or descriptions that seem to contradict one another, but reveal a deeper truth. (Example = Donne’s line, “Death, thou shalt die.”)  John Donne’s love poems categorized in The Youthful Phase of Donne and his religious works categorized in Donne’s Later Phase.  His religious works were a result of his appointment as clergyman in 1621.

 was known as The Restoration when John Dryden dominated literature  Dryden was named Poet Laureate (England’s Poet for Life) by Charles II  Writers enjoyed harmony, restraint, and clarity  Generalities favored over viewpoint of the individual  Satires poked fun at society and thoughts were expressed in short, quotable sentences  Writers of the time included: Dryden, Alexander Pope, Jonathon Swift (Gulliver’s Travels), Daniel Defoe (Robinson Crusoe), Addison and Steele, and Samuel Johnson (1775 The Dictionary of the English Language).  Enlightenment Era flourished

 Late 1700s = progress previously celebrated by Enlightenment thinkers lost  Writers turned away from Neoclassicism (emphasis on courage from Greek and Latin epics)  Fresh, new emotion prevalent in literature  1800s would be a brand new literary age complete with a new focus and new voices.

Kinsella, Kate, et al. Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes: The British Tradition. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, Print.

 What led to Civil War in England? In what year did the war end and how?  Describe Charles I  Who was John Milton, and what is he known for?  What was the English Commonwealth, and who led it?  When the monarchy was re-established in 1660, who was on the throne? Describe this period of time for England.  Who was Charles II’s successor, and what is he known for?  Who is credited with creating Metaphysical Poetry?  What are the characteristics of Metaphysical Poetry?

 Name two characteristics of Metaphysical Poetry  Name two other writers of Metaphysical Poetry.  During The Restoration Period ( ), who is said to have dominated literature?  Characteristics of Restoration writers/literature?  Names of a few important writers of this time?