Puritan Age and Restoration Age

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Puritan Age and Restoration Age
   (1620-1660)                         (1660-1700)

History of Puritan Age:
                    Puritanism, a religious reform movement in the late 16th and 17th centuries that sought to “purify” the Church of England of remnants of the Roman Catholic “popery” that the Puritans claimed had been retained after the religious settlement reached early in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

History of Restoration Age:
                        The Restoration refers to a period of English history that began in 1660 and lasted until 1688. This era was so named because it marked the restoration of the monarchy under King Charles II after the collapse of the Commonwealth and the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell.

Characteristics of Puritan Age:
                         Puritan Age emerged during the 17th century as part of the larger Puritan movement. The Puritans were English Protestants who sought to purify the Church of England from what they viewed as corrupt practices and doctrines. Many of them emigrated to the New World, specifically New England, seeking religious freedom and the opportunity to establish a society based on their religious principles.

  1. Religious Devotion: Puritan literature is profoundly religious in nature. It reflects the Puritans’ deep religious convictions, emphasizing the importance of salvation, personal piety, and a moral life. The central theme is often the relationship between God and humanity.
  1. Plain Style: Puritan writing is characterized by its plain and direct style. The Puritans believed that clarity and simplicity in language were essential for conveying religious truths. They shunned ornate or extravagant writing.
  1. Moral and Didactic Content: Puritan literature is didactic, with an emphasis on teaching moral lessons. It often includes sermons, religious tracts, and narratives that convey moral or theological messages. These works were meant to instruct, warn, and guide the reader in living a righteous life.
  1. Theology and Covenant Theology: Puritan literature frequently delves into theological discussions, particularly concerning the concepts of predestination, election, and the covenant. The Puritans believed that God had preordained who would be saved, and this influenced their writings on grace and salvation.
  1. Self-Examination and Personal Narrative: A common form of Puritan writing is the spiritual autobiography or personal narrative. Writers would document their spiritual journey, including their conversion experience and ongoing struggle with sin. The goal was to demonstrate the workings of divine grace in their lives.
  1. Characteristics of Restoration Age: 

  1. Reopening of Theaters: Theaters, which had been closed during the Puritan Commonwealth period, were reopened. This led to a revival of drama, particularly the Comedy of Manners, which satirized the behavior and customs of the upper class.

  1. Satire and Wit: Literature from this period often used satire and wit to critique societal norms and behaviors. Writers like John Dryden and Samuel Butler were known for their sharp, humorous observations of society.

  1. Heroic Drama: Influenced by French Neoclassicism, heroic drama became popular. These plays often featured grand themes and noble characters, emphasizing honor and love.

  1. Restoration Poetry: Poetry from this era was characterized by its elegance and structured form. It often explored themes of love, politics, and society with a refined and polished style.

  1. Social and Political Commentary: The literature of the Restoration Age frequently engaged with the political and social issues of the time, reflecting the changes brought about by the restoration of the monarchy under Charles II.

  1. Notable Figures: Key literary figures of this period include John Dryden, Aphra Behn, William Congreve, and George Etherege, among others.

  • Summary of Puritan Age:(English Civil War)
                          
              Puritanism, Movement in the late 16th and 17th century that sought to “purify” the Church of England, leading to civil war in England and to the founding of colonies in North America. Many Puritans joined the Parliamentary party during the English Civil War and gained considerable power, but after the Restoration they were once again a dissenting minority. Believing themselves chosen by God to revolutionize history, some Puritans founded settlements in America (see Pilgrims), notably the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The Puritans of Massachusetts emphasized the conversion experience, by which the elect experienced the descent of grace. In their theocracy only the elect were allowed to vote and rule, though the privileges of church membership were extended to all baptized and orthodox persons.

  • Summary of Restoration Age:

  •          Summary The period from the Restoration of the English monarchy in 1660 to the end of the eighteenth century brought important political changes to the nation, including the Glorious Revolution of 1688 (and with it the limiting of monarchical power), the union with Scotland in1707, and the expansion of the British empire.

Prominent writers of Puritan Age:

John Milton:

Citation: Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "John Milton summary". Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Apr. 2021, https://www.britannica.com/summary/John-Milton. Accessed 18 September 2024.


John Bunyan:
Prominent writers of Restoration Age:

John Dryden:                                                                                      -

Dryden known as a “Father of English Criticism.” 

John Dryden (1631-1700), a leading writer of the Restoration Age in English literature, mastered the art of traversing a variety of literary expressions- heroic tragedy, comedy, verse satire, translations and literary criticism. Similar to his literary career, he changed his allegiance and views several times in his personal life too. Being allied to the Puritan party, he wrote his impressive ‘Heroic Stanzas’ (1659) on the death of Cromwell, the Lord Protector, but he readily adjusted himself with the Royalist climate of the Restoration. He wrote Astrae Redux in 1660 to welcome back the monarch, followed by the Panegyric to His Sacred Majesty. Again, in his later years Dryden shifted his religious allegiance from an Anglicism to Catholicism.The poet who wrote poems like Religio Laici (1682) defining the king’s religion in Anglican terms changed his views when James II, a Catholic supporter , had occupied the throne in 1685 after Charles II’s death. He wrote The Hind and the Panther (1687) supporting Catholic views. 
  • William Congreve:

     William Congreve, received recognition for his contributions to the Comedy of Manners. His works, such as “The Way of the World” and “Love for Love,” are prime examples of the genre’s emphasis on the difficulties of love, marriage, and societal behavior. Congreve gained recognition in the restoration period as a result of his extremely sharp wit and deft wordplay.

Conclusion:

The transition from the Puritan Age to the Restoration Age represents a significant shift in the trajectory of English literature. While the Puritan Age was marked by a focus on moral and religious themes, the Restoration Age embraced satire and social commentary, reflecting the changing values of English society. Writers like John Milton and John Bunyan captured the Puritan spirit of introspection and devotion, while John Dryden and William Congreve epitomized the Restoration’s embrace of wit and worldly sophistication.

Refrences:
https://literopedia.com/puritan-literature-characteristics-writers-and-their-works 
https://www.britannica.com/summary/Puritanism
https://blog.dilipbarad.com/2021/02/puritan-and-restoration-age-english.html

                                                                  Thank You

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