The monarchy was restored in 1660 under charles ii. It is written in the form of heroic couplets, rhyming pairs of iambic pentameter lines, also characteristic of epic poetry. Augustan drama is less important than prose or poetry and it lends itself less to reading. Not only was he a prolific writer who worked in a bunch of different genres including poetry, drama, and prose, but also he set the bar in terms of literary standards for the period. Butler, oldham, rochester cotton, and others, but also in restoration dramatragedy as well as comedy. Restoration drama and prose literature major english meropaper hseb restoration drama. Types of restoration drama during the time of the restoration, 18th century drama was very critical. Such a goaloriented engagement with a poets words can deepen students interest in and understanding of poetry wolf, 1990, p. They were interested in all the drama that went on in the society in which they lived. The material covered ranges from milton to blake, and focuses on literary forms which include elements of fiction epic, drama, novel. Dryden was the representative writer of this period.
After public stage performances had been banned for 18 years by the puritan regime, the reopening of the theatres in 1660 signalled a renaissance of english drama. Restoration drama the pilgrims progress poetry scribd. Not only was poetry the most popular form of literature, but it was also the most significant form of literature, as poems affected political events and immediately reflected the times. A comedy of manners is a play concerned with satirising societys manners. The topics cover questions of cultural history, poetics, and the career of the periods major artists. Restoration period or the age known as the age of dryden, they are generally. This quiz tests students knowledge of the differences among prose, poetry, and drama.
The period from 1660 to 1700 is known as the restoration period or the age of dryden. Charles ii may have been king of england, but john dryden was king of restoration literature. The restoration writers werent interested in silly things like nature ew, dirt, or grand philosophical questions ugh, boring. It started developing after reopening of the theatres in 1660. Social behavior and social manners, then, are big themes in restoration literature. The broadview anthology of restoration and eighteenth. So dryden chose to make his way in the world through the theatre.
The cynical decadence of the age was alien to the spirit of the elizabethan romantic comedy. List of books and articles about restoration drama. Restoration literature is the english literature written during the historical period commonly referred to as the english restoration 16601689, which corresponds to the last years of stuart reign in england, scotland, wales, and ireland. The poetry of this period is characterized by aspects of realism and. A manner is the method in which everyday duties are performed, conditions of society, or a way of speaking. He is, by far, the most important literary figure of the period. Restoration drama characteristics restoration tragedy and restoration comedy theatres were closed during the puritan age. The drama, especially comedy of manners proved to be one of the most important genres in the restoration era. Besides being the greatest english poet of the later 17th century, he wrote almost 30 tragedies, comedies, and dramatic operas. English literature english literature the restoration.
An essay of dramatic poesy by john dryden poetry foundation. During the restoration age, they reopened with new types of plays and performances which were different than the before. Restoration comedy is english comedy written and performed in the restoration period from 1660 to 1710. Comedy of manners is known as high comedy because it involves a. His poetry, like the rest of restoration poetry, is realistic, satirical and moderate. Restoration drama characteristics tragedy and comedy. Theory and inter pretation entitled new approaches to restoration drama. The drama of this period can be broken into two categories, comedies and tragedies. In the field of poetry he was, in fact, the only poet worth mentioning. Restoration literature, english literature written after the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 following the period of the commonwealth. The comedy of manners has made the restoration rich in drama. Dramatizing poetry in the second language classroom. Restoration politics and drama download ebook pdf, epub. The skeleton of this type was however, produced much earlier but it found a rich flowering in the hand of etherege, wycherley, congreve, vanbrugh and farquhar.
The elizabethan period is also remembered for the richness of its poetry and drama, especially the plays and poems of william shakespeare. This table lists important writers and their works of the elizabethan period of english literature. Poetry of restoration age the poetry of the restoration period was formal, intellectual satirical, realistic and written in heroic couplet, of which dryden was the supreme master. Some literary historians speak of the period as bounded by the reign of charles ii 166085, while others prefer to include within its scope the writings. The restoration and the 18th century english literature i. The outstanding example of english mockepic is alexander popes the rape of lock, which is the best of all the mockepic or mockheroic poems restoration poets john dryden. Click download or read online button to get restoration politics and drama book now.
An essay of dramatic poesy was probably written in 1666 during the closure of the london theaters due to plague. Comparing prose, poetry, and drama quiz for fourth grade. Manners means a quality acquired by a person from free social intercrossed with cultivated men and women. When they reopened, during the restoration, it was with a new type of play and changed. Literature also changed, the theatres reopened and the new dramas were written. For others, it excited the desire to celebrate kingship and even to turn the events of the new reign into signs of a divinely ordained. Restoration through 18thcentury english literature dr. Restoration and 18th century drama broadview press. Restoration drama plays and performances in the period following the restoration of charles ii, when the theatres reopened. Without question, comic drama was the signature genre for the period in english history that began with the restoration of the monarchy when charles ii returned from exile in france. A summary of restoration drama, the commedy of manner.
Restoration drama unique fusion between elizabethan stage conventions and italian and french styles french culture was especially influential in restoration society charles ii had spent his exile in france james ii had ties with catholic europe serious drama heroic tragedy dealt with extraordinary characters who undertook. The king was received with wild joy on his return from exile. Charles ii, however, was a big fan of drama and quickly allowed and encouraged the theatres presence. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want.
Augustan poetry continues the restoration trend for satire and mockheroic poems. It can be read as a general defense of drama as a legitimate art formtaking up where sir philip sidneys defence of poesie left offas well as drydens own defense of his literary practices. Restoration drama and prose literature major english. Technically and historically, while the restoration began on charles iis return to the english. The restoration poetry was mostly satirical, realistic and written in the heroic couplet, of which dryden was the supreme master. Restoration and 18th century survey 6 restoration and 18th century drama 14 restoration and 18th century.
The restoration is the period in english history between 1660 and 1689, beginning with the return of charles ii to the throne. Restoration poetry characteristics english summary. It was, to its own people, an age dominated only by. Themes of the english restoration poetry pen and the pad. The restoration of king charles ii in 1660 marks the beginning of a new era both in the life and the literature of england. The men are splendidly brave and the women are shown wonderfully. The drama reflected the laxity of court morals through broad satire, farce, wit, and bawdy comedy. The poetry of dryden can be divided into three headspolitical satires, doctrinal poems, and the fables.
Restoration drama and prose the restoration of king charles ii to the english throne in 1660 brought a new change in english literature. Technically and historically, while the restoration began on charles iis return to the english throne in 1660, the characteristics of restoration drama began to appear in the carolinian. The socalled heroic tragedy which had a brief run concurrently with the comedy of manners had also a little of popularity, but was too unnatural and artificial and merely a type of french soil. The prose selection is taken from the natalie babbitt novel, tuck everlasting, and the drama and poetry selections are adaptations of the same text. As regards restoration comedy, it is nothing if not satirical. This new tendency, which reached its climax in the age of pope, is very clearly marked in the literature of the restoration period. Literary features of the age, prose, poetry and drama of the period. Restoration literature english literary period britannica. Poetry paper 20 points drama portfolio final theatre response 10 points play performance and performance report 10 points drama paper proposal 5 points drama paper 20 points drama is not merely life reproduced cameras and recorders can do that, but life interpreted more intensely. It is a commonplace of criticism that the elizabethan age is creative, the restoration critical. Pdf in 1983, in a special issue of the eighteenth century. Since ive used this without permission, its a free resource. He was the dominating figure of the restoration period, and he made his mark in the fields of poetry, drama and prose. The age is vividly brought to life in the diaries of samuel pepys and john evelyn, and in poetry the restoration is distinguished by the work of john dryden and a number of other poets.
For some, the restoration of king charles ii in 1660 led many to a painful revaluation of the political hopes and millenarian expectations bred during two decades of civil war and republican government. The augustans deemed classical literature as natural, that these works were the idealized models for writing. In general, the term is used to denote roughly homogenous styles of literature that center on a celebration of or reaction to the restored court of. Restoration poetry is considered moderate in the way it emphasizes precision, or. He was the dominating figure of the restoration age. Nooshin javanbakht restoration18the century is the great age of satire. Click download or read online button to get the broadview anthology of restoration and eighteenth century comedy book now. The major writers will be introduced with their major works of literature. However, restoration comedy was indebted to the jonsonian school as well as to beaumont and fletcher. Whether actors or audience, drama intrinsically appeals to all of us because of the freedom that it affords to respond to words in action. These four things, the tendency to vulgarrealism in the drama, a general formalismwhich came from following set rules, thedevelopment of a simpler and more directprose style, and the prevalence of the heroiccouplet in poetry are the main characteristicsof restoration literature. Notes on restoration comedy or comedy of manners all.
In restoration england playwriting was the most lucrative art and the surest road to fame. John dryden, english poet, dramatist, and literary critic who so dominated the literary scene of his day that it came to be known as the age of dryden. The restoration and the augustan age the restoration 1660 1714 charles ii 1660 1685 two political parties are founded. Plays were mainly opportunities for acting, for the. Renaissance and early 17th century drama 19 16th century and the tudor period 6 shakespeare 12 renaissance and early 17th century poetry 5 renaissance and early 17th century novel 1 restoration and the 18th century 73 toggle. The theatres which were indoor were much smaller than the elizabethan theatres. Comedy of manners is used as a synonym of restoration comedy. Though restoration drama must be considered a minor period of literary history, it has recently. Sexually explicit language was encouraged by king charles ii. Check your understanding of the restoration period in literature with an interactive quiz and printable worksheet.