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PAPER
THE PURITAN AGE

BY
GROUP I:

1. MULIATI SANGAJI (78820323005)

2. ADIFAH RAMADHANI DJAMAL (78820323008)
3. CICI KARMILA BIN SYEH ABU BAKAR (78820323002)
4. MAWAR KALIDUPA (78820323016)
5. YULIANAN UMASUGI (78830323003)

FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION

ENGLISH DEPARTEMEN
IQRA BURU UNIVERSITY
2024
 FAREWORD

All praise be to Allah SWT, for His mercy and guidance, which enabled us
to complete the writing of the Psycholinguistics paper entitled: "Summarizing,"
supervised by Miss. Mitha Rahmawati Pellu S.S., M.Pd., as a english literature
lecturer.
In its presentation, this paper is attempted to be well-organized. We
utilized various sources to assist us in understanding the puritan age. We would
like to express our gratitude to all those who contributed to the successful
completion of this paper. We welcome any criticism and suggestions that can help
build a good and correct mindset.

Namlea, 30 Mei 2024

Group I

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWARD…………………………………………………………………1
TABLE OF CONTENT……………………………………………..……….2
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION……………………………………………3
A. Background…………………………………………….………….3
B. Problem Formulation…………………………………………..….3
C. Author’s Objectives…………………………………………...…..3
CHAPTER II DISCUSSION…………………………………………..……4
A. History of the Puritan Period in England……………………....…4
B. Introduction to Appreciating English Literature in the Puritan
Period…………………………………………………………..…6
C. Appreciation of Poetry in the Puritan Period………….………....9
D. Prose of the Puritan Period…………………………….…….…..9
E. Drama of the Puritan Period…………………………………..…9
CHAPTER III CLOSE………………………………………………….…11
A. Conclusion………………………………………………….........11
B. Suggestion………………………………………………….……11
BIBLIOGRAPHY……………………………………………………….…12

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 BAB II
INTRODUCTION

A. Background
In the mid-16th century, the church in England split into two
movements: the Anglicans, who held power, and the Puritans, who sought to
purify Protestant teachings in England. This conflict continued into the 17th
century, influencing the political, social, and literary landscape of England.
This period includes the reigns of Queen Elizabeth, King James I, and Charles
I, marked by tensions between the monarchy and Parliament and among
various religious groups. It is crucial to understand how these social and
political conflicts affected the development of English literature during the
Puritan period.

B. Problem Formulation

1. What is the History of the Puritan Period in England?

2. What is the Introduction to Appreciating English Literature in the
Puritan Period?
3. What is Appreciation of Poetry in the Puritan Period?
4. What is Prose of the Puritan Period?
5. What is Drama of the Puritan Period?

C. Author’s Objectives

1. To learn about the History of the Puritan Period in England

2. To learn about the Introduction to Appreciating English Literature in
the Puritan Period
3. To learn about Appreciation of Poetry in the Puritan Period
4. To learn about Prose of the Puritan Period
5. To learn about Drama of the Puritan Period

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 BAB II
DISCUSSION

A. History of the Puritan Period in England

In the mid-16th century, the church in England split into two
movements: the Anglicans, who held power, and the Puritans, who were
their rivals. The Puritans were a group of Protestants who wanted to purify
the Protestant teachings in England. This era was marked by the reign of
Queen Elizabeth I. Queen Elizabeth had a strong dislike for the Puritans,
who aimed to cleanse the teachings and ceremonies she had established.
The Puritans protested against Queen Elizabeth, urging a return to biblical
teachings and opposing excessive grandeur. However, their protests were
completely ignored by the queen.
On March 24, 1603, Queen Elizabeth died after over four decades
on the throne. She was succeeded by her brother, James VI of Scotland,
known as James I in England. The citizens of England hoped for a fresh
start under the young 36-year-old king. James I had a wife named Anne
from Denmark.
In 1605, the Gunpowder Plot occurred, an unsuccessful attempt to
blow up the Parliament building in Westminster. King James I survived
this incident, which led to the persecution of the Catholic minority in
England. Subsequently, King James I also faced conflicts with Parliament
due to rising royal expenses and taxes, while the kingdom's income was
insufficient. The solution was to increase royal land rents. The strength of
Parliament meant they could refuse to raise funds for the King, prompting
James I to seek alternative ways to gather money.
The situation became more complicated due to religious
differences. Many Parliament members were Puritans who wanted to
purify the Church of England of any Catholic remnants. Although James I
was a Protestant, he rejected this notion. Additionally, James I believed in
the “Divine Right of Kings,” which held that the king’s authority was
granted by God. James I hoped to work with Parliament, though he
believed ultimate authority rested with him.
James I died in 1625 at the age of 58 and was succeeded by his
son, Charles I. Like his father, Charles I also believed in the “Divine Right
of Kings” and had conflicts with Parliament.

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 Early in his reign, Charles I married a Roman Catholic French
princess named Henrietta Maria. Marrying a Catholic was unusual for
someone who needed to work with the Puritans.
In 1625, Charles I unsuccessfully attempted a military expedition
to Cadiz. Parliament strongly opposed his policy of raising taxes to pay for
the war with Spain, leading to Charles I’s anger and eventual dissolution
of Parliament. Charles I resorted to forcibly collecting rents and
imprisoning those who refused to pay without trial.
In 1634, Charles I began collecting ship money, a traditional tax
raised in coastal towns to enable the king to build more ships. In 1635,
Charles extended this tax to inland areas. A Buckinghamshire official
named John Hampden refused to pay and was brought to trial in 1637.
Another major issue in 1637 was Charles I’s religious reforms in Scotland,
which introduced new prayer books, leading to failure and unrest.
The First Bishops' War occurred in 1639, ending with the
Pacification of Berwick, a temporary truce. In 1640, the Second Bishops'
War broke out. In August 1640, Scotland invaded England, capturing
Newcastle. Charles was forced to make peace, ceding Durham and
Northumberland to the Scots and agreeing to pay their army. By August
1641, Charles abandoned efforts to enforce religious changes in Scotland,
prompting the Scots to withdraw from northern England.
In December 1647, Charles made a secret agreement with Scotland
to invade England on his behalf. However, Oliver Cromwell defeated the
Scottish and English Royalist forces at Preston.
The conflict didn't end with the king’s defeat. A rift emerged
among Parliament, the New Model Army, and the Scots, each vying for
power. The Second English Civil War was won by the New Model Army.
After Charles I was executed, Oliver Cromwell became the leader of
England, which was transformed into a republic for about 11 years (1649-
1660).
In 1650, Charles II made an agreement with Scotland for a second
war. However, Cromwell defeated the Scots at Dunbar in September 1650.
Cromwell then crossed the Firth of Forth, leaving the path to England
open.
A new constitution called the Instrument of Government was
created. Cromwell became the Lord Protector, initially ruling with a
council. However, a new Parliament convened in September 1654. When

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 the Protectorate Parliament refused to accept the Instrument of
Government, Cromwell dissolved it in January 1655.
In 1655, the country was divided into 11 districts, each governed
by a Major General. A new Parliament was called in 1656, excluding some
members deemed unfit. When Parliament reconvened in January 1658, the
excluded members were allowed to take their seats. They attacked the new
arrangements, rejecting the newly nominated upper house, leading
Cromwell to dissolve Parliament again in February 1658.
Oliver Cromwell appointed his successor, Richard, who was shy
and unambitious, resigning in May 1659. The Long Parliament dissolved
itself, calling for new elections for a Convention Parliament, which
declared that the government should consist of a King, Lords, and
Commons. Charles II landed in Dover on May 25, 1660.
In 1670, Charles made a secret treaty with Louis XIV of France,
known as the Treaty of Dover. Louis promised to provide Charles with
money so he wouldn’t be dependent on Parliament. Charles agreed to join
Louis in another war against the Dutch and to declare himself a Roman
Catholic. Louis promised to send 6,000 men if people rebelled against
Charles.
Charles II died in 1685 at the age of 54, leaving no legitimate
children. His Catholic brother James succeeded him. After Charles II’s
death in 1685, his illegitimate son, the Duke of Monmouth, landed in
Dorset and led a rebellion in the southwest of England.

B. Introduction to the Appreciation of English Literature during the

Puritan Period

During the Puritan period, the most well-known forms of poetry

were Cavalier and Puritan poetry
.
a. Metaphysical Poetry
This group of 17th-century poets in the Puritan period introduced a
distinct style from previous eras, focusing less on themes of love and
adventure and more on mental and spiritual exercises. Their poetry is
marked by wit and religiosity.

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 Metaphysical poetry, written in the 17th century by English poets, is
characterized by intellectual challenges and extended metaphors. The term
"metaphysical" was coined by Samuel Johnson to classify this type of
poetry, which features common characteristics of wit and complex style.
The term 'metaphysical' is derived from 'meta' meaning beyond and
'physical' referring to our sensory world. This poetry explores the spiritual
or intellectual world beyond sensory perception. Common themes involve
rational discussions on phenomena rather than intuition or mysticism.
Metaphysical poetry prominently uses literary devices like wit and
conceits, with notable poets such as John Donne, George Herbert, and
Henry Vaughan. Emerging from Petrarchan influences, metaphysical poetry
introduced new expressions and imagery related to emotional, physical, and
spiritual issues. These poets aligned feelings with imaginative thinking,
employing reason, irony, and word play.
Some renowned metaphysical poets include:
a. John Donne
John Donne (1572-1631) is considered a master of 17th-century
English poetry. His work focuses on personal spirituality, characterized by
strong and sensual styles, religious poems, love poems, sonnets, Latin
translations, elegies, songs, satires, sermons, and epigrams. Donne’s poetry is
known for its striking language and inventive metaphors. Notable works
include "Satires," "Songs," and "Sonnet," exemplified by the fiery and
triumphant tone in "Holy Sonnet 10," "Death, be not proud." Donne’s poems
highlight his view of death as a gateway to eternal life, reflecting Platonic
beliefs. His early career is also significant for sensual poems using unusual
metaphors, such as comparing lovers to a flea, with dramatic conflicts, stage
action, and dialogue.
b. George Herbert
George Herbert (1593-1633) was a Welsh-born English poet, orator,
and Anglican priest. His famous work "The Temple" (1633) includes poems
like "The Flower," where he views written language as a gateway to
knowledge and truth, and "Providence," emphasizing understanding through
listening. In "The Altar," Herbert uses a pattern where the poem's words form
the shape of an altar, symbolizing his devotion to God. Herbert’s poetry is
devoted to God, unlike love poems.
c. Andrew Marvell

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 Andrew Marvell (1621-1678) was a satirist and politician associated
with metaphysical poets like John Donne and George Herbert. His most
reflective poem, "Upon Appleton House," marked his development as a poet
and person, offering a blend of lyrical love poems, satire, and religious works.
Notable poems include “To His Coy Mistress,” emphasizing the fleeting nature
of time and the urgency of seizing the moment.
b. Cavalier Poetry
The term 'Cavalier' or 'Caroline' (adjective of "Charles") refers to a
group of mid-17th-century poets who sided with King Charles I against
Parliament. These Cavalier or Caroline poets were followers of Ben Jonson and
were often called 'Sons of Ben,' though some also showed influences from John
Donne. Cavalier poets sympathized with the king, with some going into exile
with him while others remained in England. Many of them wrote elegant and
lighter verses, thus the term 'Cavalier poetry' refers to a kind of light lyric
poetry.
Cavalier poetry differs from traditional poetry in its subject matter.
Instead of covering themes such as religion, philosophy, and art, Cavalier
poetry aimed to express the joy and fulfillment of more lively things compared
to the works of their predecessors.
The purpose of their poetry was usually to promote leadership
(especially of Charles I), and the poets spoke outwardly against the
Roundheads who supported Parliament's rebellion against the monarchy.
Most Cavalier works have a metaphorical and/or classical style.
Cavalier poets sought to create poetry with themes of pleasure and virtue.
Common traits in their poetry include celebrating beauty, love, nature,
sensuality, drunkenness, good fellowship, honor, and social life. In many ways,
their poetry embodies an attitude reflecting "carpe diem."
Famous poets of the time included Robert Herrick, Richard Lovelace,
Thomas Carew, and Sir John Suckling. A well-known example of Cavalier
poetry from this period is Robert Herrick's poem "To the Virgins, to Make
Much of Time”.
c. Puritan Poetry
Puritan poetry focuses on devotion to God, and all actions are seen as
signs of His love or wrath. This is similar to literature but follows a general
poetic structure. In using poetic structure, they adopted a stricter form than
later years, with more use of rhyme schemes and stricter stanzas. Poetry was

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often written in response to life events, such as when Anne Bradstreet's
husband went to England, and she wrote a poem wishing for his safe return and
asking God to keep him safe. Another example is a poem she wrote after
fainting, asking God for salvation, as fainting was viewed as an evil omen.
C. Appreciation of Poetry in the Puritan Period
John Milton's "Paradise Lost" is an epic in blank verse about the
expulsion of Satan from heaven. Milton was a Puritan. This poem tells the
story of Satan, the rebellious angel, who was expelled from heaven along with
his followers. In hell, the fallen angels discuss ways to take revenge and then
decide to corrupt Adam and Eve, the first humans on Earth. At that time,
Adam and Eve were entirely innocent and lived happily, but God had
forbidden them to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Satan
deceived Eve and persuaded her to eat the fruit. Then Adam reluctantly
followed Eve's lead and ate it too. Soon after, they felt guilty and ashamed,
becoming mortal and doomed to die. God expelled them from the Garden of
Eden to Earth, where they had to work to survive.

D. Prose of the Puritan Period

One of the prose writers of this period was John Bunyan (1620-1688),
famous for his allegorical work, "The Pilgrim’s Progress." This work is a
world-renowned allegory. Bunyan was a poor and uneducated man who knew
nothing of Renaissance culture and had no foundation in Greek and Roman
culture. However, he was deeply involved in the English Reformation.

E. Drama of the Puritan Period

During the Puritan period, drama in England was strictly forbidden as
English drama experienced serious decline, especially after the aristocracy
was dominated by the Puritans. In 1642, theaters were closed by the English
Parliament, which was largely made up of Puritans who considered theater
den of vice. Consequently, dramatic activities plummeted during this time,
leading to a significant decline in drama.
Due to these factors, history records little about drama during the
Puritan era. Consequently, literary figures of that time were not very interested
in developing drama, given the regulations and the content that could be
derived from dramatic performances, making writers reluctant to pursue it.

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 BAB III
CLOSE

A. Conclussion
The Puritan period in England was a time of intense conflict and
profound change, both politically and religiously. The struggle between the
Anglicans and Puritans, along with the tension between the monarchy and
Parliament, created a rich backdrop for the development of literature.
Metaphysical poetry, Cavalier poetry, and Puritan poetry emerged as forms of
expression reflecting the values, beliefs, and challenges of the time. Although
drama suffered a significant decline due to the closure of theatres by the
Puritan Parliament, allegorical prose such as John Bunyan's "The Pilgrim’s
Progress" remained prominent. The literary works of this period reflect a deep
search for truth, beauty, and spiritual meaning amid turbulent times.
B. Suggestion
It is recommended to delve deeper into the history of the Puritan
period to better understand the socio-political context influencing literary
works. Conduct more thorough analyses of major literary works from this
period, especially those by John Milton and John Bunyan, to explore their
themes and styles.

Further study on the impact of the conflict between the monarchy and
Parliament on literary development can provide broader insights into the
relationship between politics and literature.
Investigating more archives and manuscripts from this period can help
uncover lesser-known works and offer a richer perspective on Puritan
literature.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

American Literature. (n.d) Puritan Poetry. Diakses 4 Desember 2017.

http://americanliteraturesite. Weebly. com/poetry-puritan-era.html.

Boedipekerti (n.d.). “Awal Pementasan Drama.”.

https:/boedipekerti.wordpress.com/2012/06/07/ awal-pementasan-drama-
4/diakses 3 desember 2017.

Britania history of literature. (n.d.) Puritan History. Diakses 3

desember 2017. http://britanialiteratureofpuritaniste. weebly.com/puritan-
era.html.

Cavalier Poets. 2016. Cavalier Poets. Diaksestanggal 4 Desember

2017. https://jcgenglishblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/cavalier-poets-
word.pdf.

Ensyclopedia (n.d.). English Literature early seventeeth century.

http://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/culture-magazines/english-
literature-early-seventeeth-century. Diakses tanggal 13 Oktober 2017.

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