The Restoration and Enlightenment Era: From Turmoil to Transformation

1. Unit 4: The Restoration and 18th Century

2. From Tumult to Calm • In 1660, the English monarchy was restored after nearly 20 years of civil war and aggressive Puritan rule • Plague and a major fire followed • Finally a time of stability and order was to follow……..

3. What’s in a Name? • The period of 1660 to 1800 has been given many different names, each shedding light on specific characteristics of the time • The Augustan Age • The neoclassical period • The Enlightenment • The Age of Reason • No label can be applicable to the entire period

4. Augustan Age/neoclassical period • Comparisons with ancient Rome (both culture and literature) • Monarchy was restored (after a long history of rulers and tumult) without a drop of blood shed in warfare • Neoclassical: “new classical” • Represented what was permanent and universal in human experience • Referred to Latin classics which all people knew

5. Reason and Enlightenment • “Age of Reason” and “Enlightenment” reveal how people were gradually changing their view of themselves and the world • Unusual events (earthquakes, comets, etc.) all had deeper meaning or were punishments for something done in the past • People began asking “why” and “how” questions about life

6. Changes in Religion • Deism: belief that God created the universe, a perfect mechanism, to run independently without His interference • Stems from the ideas of reason where everything has a deeper meaning or is punishment for past wrongdoings • Christianity continued to be the dominant religion in the country

7. Religion = Politics? • Religious views (during this time) determined people’s political beliefs • Charles II reestablished the Anglican Church as the official church of the country • Still considered the official church of England today • Persecution of Puritans continued during the 18th century

8. The Bloodless Revolution • Charles II has no legitimate heirs • Succeeded by his brother James II • James = Roman Catholic • Power transferred to James’ daughter Mary despite a legal heir being produced by James • Mary married William of Orange (a Protestant) • William attached England in 1688; James fled • William and Mary dubbed rulers by Parliament • Events are called the “Glorious Revolution”

9. Theater • While Puritans ruled, theaters were closed • New theater established during Charles II’s rule • Boys and men no longer acted female roles • Witty productions depicted sexual relations between men and women as unsentimental and unromantic

10. Satire • Showed the violent, filthy underside of 18th century life • Depicted in paintings, art, music, literature, etc. • Despised corrupt politics and growing commercialism and materialism of the English people

11. Journalism • “the new profession” • Growing importance of using literature as a means to achieve social reform • Changes in types of literature: from essays to pamphlets and articles

12. Poetry • Reveal innermost thoughts and feelings • Reveal honest and original responses to life • “Genuine poetry is conceived and composed in the soul.” • Written in specific form to serve specific purpose • Matthew Arnold • Most common types: Elegy, satire, ode

13. Novels • Men and women bought novels in this century • Novels proved the development of a middle class • Novels were often broad and comical • The novels are still unique despite efforts of many to copy them and their style • Help us understand the joys and disappointments of human experience

14. Life in the 18th century • Industrial Revolition turned towns into filthy, smmoky slums • Disgusted with the excessive focus on the upper classes and “good taste” • People were interested in poems and songs composed by nameless and uneducated people