THE RESTORATION PERIOD ( 1660- 1700)

 The era from 1660 to 1700 is considered the period of the Restoration. King Charles II was elevated to the throne in 1660. As a consequence of Cromwell's strict law, the people of England suffered from tension. The country thus accepted the restoration of Charles II. A revolutionary shift in social life and literature was brought about by this restoration. There are the following features that distinguish this period:

THE RESTORATION: 

Gravity, theological zeal, moral earnestness, and decorum were thrown to the winds during this period. The King was a profound debaucher. He had several mistresses. The crooked courtiers surrounded him. Corruption in all walks of life has been rampant.

 Religious and Political Quarrels:

We see the creation of two political parties in the Reconstruction period. They were the Tories and the Whigs. The Whigs opposed, and the Tories supported the king. The emergence of these parties has provided new meaning to men of literary competence. They were sponsored by both sides. There was also a theological debate going on. It was highly bitter. They were face to face with Protestants and Catholics. The country was primarily Protestant. They were punishing the Catholics. These religious and political tensions of the day represent the 'Absalom and Achitophel' of Dryden.

The Revolution:

In 1685, Charles's brother James II succeeded to the throne. In the region, he attempted to develop Catholicism. He quickly became unpopular. Against him rose the whole country. Due to the bloodless revolution of 1688, he lost his seat. The Restoration, the scandals, and the revolution of 1688 had a profound influence on the era's literature.

 Rise of Neo-Classicism:

A new literary movement began during the Restoration period. It is known as the movement of the Neo-Classical. This represented the century's mood. Raison held an important role. Laws and principles were agreed upon by the writers of this time. Laws and literary conventions were more relevant than the subject matter's seriousness.Superficial manners and customs of aristocratic and urban society were expressed by the writers. They did not dig into the mysteries of the mind and heart of man. The antithesis of the previous Elizabethan era is the current epoch. It's referred to as classical.

 Imitation of the Ancients: 

This period's authors turned to the great classical poets. The neo-classical school of poetry thus developed. The neoclassicists imitated the laws and dismissed the subject matter's significance. They couldn't dig into human feelings in detail. You will see these things in the era of Dryden and the Pope.

Imitation of the French:

France's presence counted for much. Charles II and his companions requested that the French style should adopt poetry and drama. The so-called era of French influence has begun now. They blindly imitated Pascal, Racine, Boileau, and other French authors. In Dryden, Wycherly, and Congreve's Restoration comedy of manners, the French influence is shown. The growth of opera is also responsible for this French influence.

Realism and Formalism: 

Against the romanticism of the Elizabethan era, the writers of the Restoration era responded. To a marked extent, they established realism. A realistic image of a corrupt court and society was portrayed by the early Restoration authors. Vices rather than virtues were stressed by them. Without moral meaning, they have given us coarse, low plays.They saw only man's outward things, his body, and his appetites. His spirit and his values they did not see. Style formalism was practiced by the writers of the period. They aimed at achieving directness of speech and simplicity.

Leading Authors: 

The representative poet of this era was Dryden. The very famous satires are His Absalom and Achitophel and Mac Flecknoe. Also popular are Samuel Butler and John Oldham for their satires. Eminent writers of prose of this period were John Dryden, John Bunyan, Hobbes, Locke, Temple, etc. The eminent authors of the comedy of manners were Congreve, Etherege, and Whycherly.

Therefore, in the literary history of England, the Restoration period has considerable significance. Leading authors such as Dryden and Congreve offered this period, whose contribution to literature is unforgettable.