It’s Restoration, People!

Fix Things, if You Will

 Historical Context
Restoration of what/whom, really?

Charles II
Restoration of :

 The English monarchy in 1660 (-1689)

 The parliament
 The constitution of England
 The old Anglican church
 A promise of democracy/liberal attitude
 Social niceties (dance, music, theater, luxuries,
creative freedom)
 Good commercial/cultural relationship with
France (Louis XIV)
 Basic Literary Traits

 Rise of Neo-Classicism and Social

Reformers:
◦ rules of etiquette
◦ protocols for poetry and prose
◦ ideal codes of conduct
 Imitation of the French
◦ drama
◦ mock epic
◦ satire
 Reason and humor, hand in hand (burlesque
and journalism)
 Satire
Do You Eat It or, Drink It?

 a way of criticizing corruption, evil, or abuse in a society

using humor, wit, irony and ridicule

 exposes and criticizes the follies and vices in the system

 gives the satirist a protective shield of laughter

 a strong reaction against the sudden transformation in 1660

 has two types: Horatian satire (mild) and Juvenalian satire

(more aggressive)

Example: The Rape of the Lock, Gulliver’s Travels, Mac Flecknoe

 Some Elements of a Satire

 Irony (Situational, dramatic, verbal)

 Sarcasm (mimicking and mocking)
 Pun
 Eavesdropping
 Deadpan
 Slapstick
 Caricature
 Burlesque/travesty
 Juxtaposition (objects)/foil (characters)
 Dystopia
 Hyperbole/overstatement
 Understatement
 Anachronism
 Altogether Making ..

Restoration Comedy =
Mock-epic + Comedy of Manners=
Scandal, brilliant repartees/witty dialogues