Puritan and Restoration Ages in English Literature

English literature experienced transformative shifts between the Puritan Age and the Restoration Age, reflecting broader changes in society and politics. This blog explores the distinctive characteristics of these two periods, highlighting significant literary figures and their contributions.

The Puritan Age (1625-1660)

   Characteristics   

There  are many characteristic why Puritan age differs from other ages Here are some Characteristics why it Happens and Specially why it has a huge difference with Elizabethan Literature . 

      Political and Religious Division  

During the Elizabethan era , literature often reflect a sense of National Unity while on the other side  Puritan Literature emerged in  a period marked by intense political and religious conflict . The diverse works of Elizabethan  period shared a common spirit of optimism and national pride .  Puritan writers engaged with themes of moral and spiritual conflict, illustrating the broader societal divisions and the pursuit of political and religious liberty.

      Tone and Mood

    Elizabethan literature is marked by its mighty vigor, the spirit of youth, and the optimistic temper. Indeed, many writings of this age reveal an ebullient and confident feeling as evinced by the optimism and dynamic spirit of the age. This literature was in essence romantic with an appeal toward adventure, exploration, and idealism, which pervaded the poetry and plays of the period. There was everywhere this sense of possibility and wonder-the capturing of imagination and aspiration.

 By contrast, the Puritan Age is grave and brooding. Indeed, much of the literature of the period reflects feelings of despair, moral crisis, and a skeptical look at human nature. Any sense of romance and idealism that exists in Elizabethan literature gives way here to a strongly introspective and sometimes pessimistic outlook. It is the emphasis on religious introspection and moral rectitude added by the Puritans that gives rise to the overall solemnity of mood and reflection which typifies their literature.

      Romanticism vs. Intellectualism

Elizabethan literature is full of an exaggerated sense of romance in its belief in the impossible. Idealistic and fanciful in themes, it reflects a young belief in the possibility of great and heroic undertakings. The writings are full of romantic fervor; the ideals of love, valor, and beauty are extolled, and a sense of wonder and limitless possibility often permeates the works.

Against this background, the Puritans' literature is critical and intellectual. Gone from this period is much of the romantic effusion of the previous age, as writers seemed to place a premium on intellectual speech and moral rectitude. Poetic and lyrical works in Puritanism are, by nature, more argumentative and subdued. It is a moral and spiritual reflective literature.

      Influence of the English Civil War

The Puritan literature that emerged between 1642 and 1651 was greatly influenced by the English Civil War. This war, between the Royalists-who supported King Charles I-and the Parliamentarians-which a great part of the Puritans were-fomented a spirit of dramatic political and religious change. This spirit is reflected in the literature of the time, as much as it discusses political instability, religious conflict, and the quest for divine justice. The war and its aftermath-the brief establishment of the Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell-saw writers grapple with questions of authority, legitimacy, and moral righteousness.

Prominent Writers

      John Milton (1608-1674)

    John Milton is  compared as an ideal soul, towering figure of Puritan literature, Well known for his epic poem "Paradise Lost" .The Fall of Man by Milton's work is an adaptation of the Biblical story describing the temptation of Adam and Eve and their fall from grace with deep theological insight and poetic grandeur. Milton's work reflects Puritan themes of free will ,and  divin  justice,. It was a great innovation for the English literature that he used the blank verse and tradition of the epic for conveying complicated theological ideas.

   The ambitious scope, narratively confusing, and philosophically deep, "Paradise Lost" presents Satan as a complex, charismatic figure that, for the first time, actually challenges the conventional view and beg the reader to contemplate the nature of evil and the human condition. The poem from the very beginning carries Milton's religious zeal and intellectual rigor and is therefore a seminal work in Puritan literature.

      John Bunyan (1628-1688)

Another seminal work from the Puritan Age is John Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress" , which was published in 1678. In this allegorical novel, the character Christian journeys from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City, conveying themes of salvation, perseverance, and faith through almost unimaginable use of symbolism. The humble approach that Bunyan pursued in this work-used along with language that his audience could easily comprehend-helped to spread complex religious ideas throughout every level of society. This reflects the Puritan emphasis on moral clarity and spiritual guidance.

Remarkably distinctive about Bunyan's work is the deep level of allegory imbued therein and the appeal transcending time. This narration itself formed an allegory to the testimony of religious trials. The Pilgrim's Progress is one foundational text in the corpus of Christian literature, capturing the essence of Puritan preoccupations with personal salvation and spiritual journey.

The Restoration Age (1660-1700)

 Characteristics  

The Restoration Age, which refers to the period in English literature from 1660 to 1700, was marked by several distinctive characteristics. Here are some lines that capture the essence of this period:

Departure from Old Standards 

Compared with earlier times, the Restoration period brought a big change. When Charles II became king in 1660, the strict religious focus of the Puritan era came to an end, and people's thoughts turned more to everyday life and secular topics. Writers who had been away or in exile now returned with fresh ideas from Paris. The eventual result was one of making English literature more urbane, even cynical, and away from the idealistic romanticism of the Elizabethan era.

      Influence of the Restoration Monarchy 

The Restoration Age began when Charles II became king, succeeding the stern Puritan way of life in 1660. The seriousness of religious life gave way to a careless and jolly mode of living. Hence, the literature also started focusing more on social satire, political commentaries, and romantic adventures indicative of the Restoration court's jollity and indulgence.

       Formalism and Simplicity

 Laid emphasis on formalism and precision. Writers became more eloquent and organized in their writing, with the French model of clarity and deference to norms and conventions established. A movement toward lucidity, polish, and formality in prose and poetry.

        Emergence of Satire and Comedy

Restoration literature is especially notable for the development of satire and comedy. Poets and dramatists took these genres and used them to make remarks on contemporary society and politics, as well as human behavior. Restoration comedies often set their scenes in the courtly and fashionable world of London, pointing out the foibles and hypocrisies of the era through sharp wit and irony. This was a period that continued tracing in the form of attitudes about sexuality and social mores, vividly captured in the comedic and satirical works of the era.

Prominent Writers

John Dryden (1631-1700)

John Dryden (1631–1700) was a major figure of the Restoration Age, celebrated as a master poet, skilled dramatist, and one of the most brilliant literariness of the period. The leading poet of his time, Dryden's writings were tagged by the heroic couplet, or rhyming iambic pentameter, which he brought to perfection and made popular.

Among these was the satirical poem " Absalom and Achitophel " in the year 1681, which accounted for political controversies during that time, most especially the Exclusion Crisis regarding the issue of succession to the throne. Indeed, this reflects Dryden's skill in the blending of literary elegance along with acute and sharp political critique.

As a dramatist, Dryden was masterly with works such as " All for Love" (1677) that show his power of treating contemporary political and social concerns through tragedy. His dramas and poems represent the Restoration Age's interest in commenting on political and social life, thereby pointing to his versatility and continuing impact on the literary landscape of his time.

William Congreve (1670-1729)

William Congreve lived from 1670 to 1729 and was an important figure associated with the Restoration Age. He is considered one of the most brilliant comedic writers and dramatists during this period. Though not known for poetry, his plays captured the wit and sophistication of the era.

His famous works include "The Old Bachelor", "The Double Dealer" , "Love for Love" , and "The Way of the World". These comedies of manners enjoyed sharp dialogues, intricate plots, and astute observation of social behavior. They represent satirical reviews of the mores and ambitions of Restoration society as typical expressions of its values and dynamics. With his urbane wit and his art of telling a story wittily, Congreve gave much to Restoration theatre and mostly stamped the comic theatre of that age with his insightful yet entertaining critiques.

 Conclusion

This transition from Puritan Age to Restoration Age reflects the tremendous shift in emphasis within the English literature, from religious piety to secular satire and social commentary. Instead of the Puritans' emphasis on divine providence and moral teaching, the Restoration would highlight wit, satire, and social critique. This evolution well serves to illustrate ways that literature at once reflects yet interacts with broader social and political changes.

References

- For Basics

-https://blog.dilipbarad.com/2021/02/puritan-and-restoration-age-english.html

-“Project Gutenberg.” Project Gutenberg, www.gutenberg.org/. Accessed 18 Sept. 2024.