RESTORATION AGE

The period from 1660 to 1700 is named as the Restoration period. In 1660 King
Charles II was brought to the throne. The people of England were suffering from
tension due to strict rule of Cromwell. Thus the nation welcomed the Restoration
of Charles II. This Restoration brought about a revolutionary change in social life
and literature. The following characteristics distinguish this period:
[1] THE RESTORATION: During this period gravity, spiritual zeal, moral
earnestness and decorum were thrown to winds. The king was a thorough
debauch. He had a number of mistresses. He was surrounded by corrupt
courtiers. Corruption was rampant in all walks of life.

[2] Religious and Political Quarrels: In the Restoration period we see the rise of
two political parties. They were the Whigs and the Tories. The Whigs were
opposing and the Tories were supporting the king. The rise of these parties gave
a fresh importance to men of literary ability. Both the parties supported them. The
religious controversy was also going on. It was very bitter. The Protestant and the
Catholics were face to face. The nation was predominately Protestant. The
Catholics were being punished. Dryden’s 'Absalom and Achitophel' reflects these
religious and political conflicts of the day.
[3] The Revolution: Charles' brother James II ascended the throne in 1685. He
tried to establish Catholicism in the country. He became unpopular very soon.
The entire nation rose against him. He lost his seat due to the bloodless
revolution of 1688. The Restoration, the controversies and the revolution of 1688
deeply influenced the literature of the age.

[4] Rise of Neo-Classicism: During the Restoration period a new literary

movement started. It is known as Neo-Classical movement. This reflected the
mood of the century. Reason occupied an important place. The writers of this
period agreed upon the rules and principles. Rules and literary conventions
became more important than the seriousness of subject matter. The writers
expressed superficial manners and customs of the aristocratic and urban society.
They did not pry into mysteries of human mind and heart. The new epoch is the
antithesis of the previous Elizabethan age. It is called classical.
[5] Imitation of the Ancients: The authors of this period turned to the great
classical writers. Thus grew the neo-classical school of poetry. The
neoclassicists imitated the rules and ignored the importance of subject matter.
They could not delve deep into human emotions. These things can be noticed in
the age Dryden and Pope.
[6] Imitation of the French:- The influence of France counted for much. Charles II
and his companions demanded that poetry and drama should follow the French
style. Now began the so-called period of French influence. Pascal, Racine,
Boileau and other French writers were imitated blindly. The French influence is
seen in the Restoration comedy of manners of Dryden, Wycherly and Congreve.
This French influence is also responsible for the growth of opera.
Realism and Formalism: The writers of the Restoration age reacted against the
romanticism of Elizabethan age. They developed realism to a marked degree. The
early Restoration writers presented the realistic picture of a corrupt court and
society. They emphasised vices rather than virtues. They gave us coarse, low
plays without moral significance. They saw only the externals of man, his body
and appetites. They did not see his soul and his ideals. The writers of the age
followed formalism of style. They aimed at achieving directness and simplicity of
expression.

Leading Authors: Dryden was the representative poet of this age. His Absalom
and Achitophel and Mac Flecknoe are very popular satires. Samuel Butler and
John Oldham are also famous for their satires. John Dryden, John Bunyan,
Hobbes, Locke, Temple etc. were eminent prose writers of this age. Congreve,
Etherege and Whycherly were the eminent writers of comedy of manners.
            Thus the Restoration age has great importance in the literary history
of England. This age offered leading authors like Dryden and Congreve whose
contribution to the literature is memorable.