The Restoration & the 18 th Century: A Time of Writing & Revolution

Introduction – People from England poured into North America –Sought freedom from religious persecution –Sought money made from lands & forests (fur, tobacco, and logs) –African slave trade

Revolutionary War –1775- Colonies rebel against England & gain their independence

England is Exhausted Exhausted from 20 years of civil war –After seeing his rights as king slashed by Parliament, Charles lashed out against Parliament. London was scandalized and the king was forced to flee the city. –The war between the Roundheads (supporters of parliament) and the Cavaliers (supporters of the King) began. –Charles I, the exile of his son Charles II, and the replacement of the English monarchy with first the Commonwealth of England (1649–1653) and then with a Protectorate (1653–1659), under the personal rule of Oliver Cromwell, the Lord Protector. The Bubonic Plague (31,000 people died at its peak) 1666-Fire that left 2/3 of Londoners homeless

However… British military forces establish new settlements around the globe Middle class grew Brilliant works of philosophy, art, & literature

Several Names for This Time Period Augustan Age Neoclassical Age Enlightenment Age of Reason

Augustan & Neoclassical Age: Comparisons with Rome Comparison with Rome –Octavian’s rule (63 B.C. to A.D. 14) – He restored peace and order after Julius Caesar’s assassination –Stuart monarchs in England do the same thing after civil wars led up to the execution of King Charles I

Augustan & Neoclassical Age: Comparisons with Rome Roman Senate hailed Augustus – 2 nd founder of Rome English people brought back son of Charles I from exile in France- crowned him King Charles II – their “new savior” –Even dug up Oliver Cromwell’s corpse to execute him for treason against the crown. –Hung him in chains, cut off his head, and put it on a spike

Augustan & Neoclassical Age: Comparisons with Rome English writers modeled their works on old Latin classics –The imitated Latin works – hence the name “Neoclassical” or “new classic”

Reason & Enlightenment: Asking How? In the old days, changes in nature and the heavens were seen as punishment for bad behavior (superstitions) –Enlightenment – They asked “Why?” things happen –Example: Edmond Halley calculated when his comet would reappear (every 76 years)

Birth of Modern English Prose John Dryden – founder & “First True Master” –“Age of Dryden” –Perfected the technique of English poetry, regularizing meter, & making diction precise

Changes in Religion Deism: Universe was like a giant clock set into motion by the “Creator”/ God who withdrew from the mechanism and let it run by itself –Voltaire – French writer who makes fun of this in his work Candide

Religion & Politics: Repression of Minority Sects Religion determined people’s politics –Charles II reestablished the Anglican Church –It became the official Church of England and still is today Charles II attempted to outlaw Puritan and independent sects – persecutions- pilgrims come to the Americas

Bloodless Rebellion Charles II had many bastard children, but no legal heir When he died, his brother James II, took over. James was 15 when his father was executed. He escaped to France in 1648, disguised as a girl. -James tried to force people to follow his Roman Catholic faith. He was very unpopular because of his persecution of the Protestants, and he was hated by the people. He was forced to give up the crown in the Glorious Revolution of 1688.

Bloodless Rebellion Continued… –Succeeded by his Protestant daughter, Mary and her Dutch husband, William of Orange William and Mary

Addicted to the Theatre Charles repealed ban on theater performances Female actors were allowed Witty comedies were produced Play reflected the life of the rich- leisured people of the time – Frenchified, pleasure-loving upper classes

Age of Satire Most accomplished literary artists of the period –Alexander Pope – “Age of Pope” Addressed works to educated & leisure classes – attacked them for their immorality & bad taste –He loved order, discipline, and craftsmanship * Pope & Swift deplored corrupt politics, commercialism, materialism, & moral corruption.

Journalism Daniel Defoe – stood for middle class values –Thrift, prudence, industry, & respectability –Followed new profession of journalism –Reformer of public morals

Public Poetry Augustan Poets – thought society served a public, not a private function –Would decide what kind of poem they would write before they wrote it

Public Poetry Many popular kinds of poetry were inherited from classical forms. –Elegy: Poems written to mourn the death of someone or something lost -- Satire: Ridicules human weakness, vice, or folly in order to bring about social reform -- Ode: Expresses public emotion on a serious subject *Every poem had exact meter and rhyme.

First English Novels “Novel” means “something new” Long fictional novels – Defoe wrote Robinson Crusoe –Harry Fielding wrote Tom Jones Women were among the most eager readers.

Samuel Johnson “Age of Johnson” His views were conservative and traditional –Criticized progress

End of the Restoration Industrial Revolution begins to turn English cities into filthy, smoky slums. – Writers return to folk themes and nature for inspiration –Thus, Romanticism is born.