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17 th /18 th Centuries of British Literature

17 th /18 th Centuries of British Literature. 1625-1798. Historical Background. Civil War—war within a country Monarchy—leadership of one Parliament—ruling body Puritans—”purify” the Church of England from within Dissenters—those who disagreed with radical Puritans.

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17 th /18 th Centuries of British Literature

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  1. 17th/18th Centuries of British Literature 1625-1798

  2. Historical Background • Civil War—war within a country • Monarchy—leadership of one • Parliament—ruling body • Puritans—”purify” the Church of England from within • Dissenters—those who disagreed with radical Puritans

  3. English Commonwealth—government that took over after Charles I was beheaded • Restoration—monarchy brought back (restored) with Charles II • Agricultural Revolution—new farm tools, more food produced, rising population • Industrial Age—efficient British machinery after 1750 • Enlightenment—scientific revolution that brought about new inventions

  4. Literature of the periodPoetry • Metaphysical Poetry—sharp, witty poetry with an intellectual tone • Arguments • Philosophy • Comparisons • John Donne • Andrew Marvell

  5. Cavalier Poetry • School of Jonson • Modeled perfection and harmony in classical authors rather than ornate, Elizabethan style • Powerful literary influence of the time • Ben Jonson • Robert Herrick

  6. Puritan poetry • Puritan works devoted to God • John Milton’s great epic Paradise Lost tried to explain why God would allow suffering in the world

  7. Age of reason/enlightenment writers • Favored harmony, restraint, and clarity in literary works • Offered up satire that poked fun at life’s “foibles” (problems, tricky situations) through the use of aphorisms (short, witty, meaning sayings) • Restoration Theater was a fancier, more costly drama experience than that which was popular in Shakespeare’s time • Jonathan Swift—noted satirist with Gulliver’s Travels

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