Puritan & Restoration Age

Puritan age and Restoration age literature: 

Puritan age  :

The Puritan Age (1620–1660), commonly referred to as the Age of Milton, was a pivotal time in English history and literature. Religious fervour, political instability, and a passionate desire to transform society in accordance with Puritan principles were all prevalent at this time. The influential authors of this era capture the intellectual and societal changes of the time. With his epic masterpiece “Paradise Lost,” John Milton, a towering figure of this era, revolutionised English poetry. Other eminent authors who made substantial contributions include Andrew Marvell and John Bunyan, authors of “The Pilgrim’s Progress” and “Metaphysical Poetry,” respectively. In this blog, we examine the significant Puritan Age authors and their profound literary influence to offer insights to UGC NET English candidates.

Characteristics of Puritan Writing

Genres

Early literature written by Puritans in America often appeared as first person narratives in the form of journals and diaries. Early American colonists wrote their accounts of immigration, settling in America, and day-to-day life in journals to pass their stories down. Many Puritans also wrote letters to send back to Europe to family and friends they left behind. Very little fiction appeared during this period; Puritans valued realistic writing with an emphasis on religious themes.

Three important Puritan genres included:

Sermons

Historical narrative

Poetry

Influence

Puritans held deep religious beliefs based on their own perspective of Christianity. The Bible played an important role in the daily lives of the Puritans. Families attended church regularly and read the Bible in their homes. Due to this influence, most Puritan writing is based on the styles of the Bible. Puritans compared their own lives to biblical narratives and events and compared themselves to biblical characters to illustrate points.

Plain Style

Puritans lived a simple life based on the concepts of humility and simplicity. This influence comes from their religious beliefs and the Bible. Wearing elaborate clothing or having conceited thoughts offended Puritans. Puritan writing mimics these cultural values in its plain writing style. Puritans wrote directly to the point, and avoided much of the eleborate writing style that became popular in Europe. Simple sentences with common language allowed Puritans to communicate information without feeling like they were drawing attention to themselves.

Purpose

Puritans wrote with specific purposes in mind. Even the letters they wrote to friends and family in Europe performed more of a purpose than simply communicating about their lives and keeping in touch. Puritans' religious beliefs affected their lives on all levels, and their writing illustrated their religion's values, such as the importance of the church and the influence of God in their lives. Writing often became instructive, teaching Christian values. The Puritans did not believe that literature was for entertainment; therefore, they frowned upon "entertainment" genres such as drama (plays) and fiction novels.

The Religious Controversy

If the former was mainly Anglican, the majority of the latter was in fact part of the growing group called “dissenters”. Dissenters advocated a turn for puritanism within the protestant realm of ideas. They fervently believed, as Calvin had emphasised, in the individual’s ability to attain God’s grace through a holy life of devotion to work, therefore, according to Puritans, it was thanks to the individual person’s will power to make a good living by choosing a profession that would provide them with a high income which in turn would allow them to climb up the social ladder ensuring for themselves God’s salvation. This cultural state of mind as a consequence perceived poverty as the outcome of a life style that was in clear contrast with their beliefs and was almost considered sinful therefore it was to be avoided at all costs. 

It is interesting to note that one of the practices that was counted as immoral, during this time and especially by the Puritan Dissenters, was entertainment in general, seen as a waste of precious time in the best case, but the theatre in particular was looked upon as close to evil.

Other issues that enflamed the religious controversy were both of doctrinal nature and regarding exterior practices or general behaviour as well. The Anglicans, unlike Puritans, favoured outward show of their faith, they took pride in the beauty of their churches, they adorned as best they could altars and rituals, in addition they maintained clergy’s hierarchy through which bishops held fast to their political power. The Puritans on the contrary preferred a plain appearance and advocated a moderate and strict behaviour, lastly they considered of the utmost importance to be free to individually reading the holy Scriptures to learn directly on their own and without any scholarly filter the word of God.

How did the English Civil War influence literature and art?

The English Civil War significantly influenced literature and art by inspiring new themes, styles, and genres reflecting the era's political and social upheaval.

The English Civil War, a period of intense political and social upheaval, had a profound impact on the arts, particularly literature and visual art. This influence can be seen in the emergence of new themes, styles, and genres that reflected the era's tumultuous events and ideological conflicts.

In literature, the Civil War led to a surge in political pamphleteering, as both Royalists and Parliamentarians used print as a means to propagate their views and rally support. This period saw the rise of polemical writing, with authors such as John Milton using their works to argue passionately for their political beliefs. Milton's 'Areopagitica', a polemic against censorship, is a prime example of this. The war also inspired a wealth of poetry, with writers like Andrew Marvell and John Dryden reflecting on the conflict and its aftermath in their works.

The war's influence on literature was not limited to political writing and poetry. The period also saw the emergence of new genres, such as the novel, which began to gain popularity towards the end of the 17th century. The upheaval of the Civil War and the subsequent Restoration period provided fertile ground for novelists, who often used their works to explore themes of power, corruption, and social change.

In the realm of visual art, the Civil War also had a significant impact. The era saw a shift away from the grandeur and opulence of the pre-war period, with artists instead focusing on more sombre and realistic depictions of their subjects. This can be seen in the works of artists like William Dobson, who is often hailed as one of the first significant English painters. Dobson's portraits of Royalist leaders, painted during the war, are notable for their stark realism and lack of idealisation.

The war also led to a decline in the production of religious art, as the Puritan government sought to suppress what they saw as idolatrous images. Instead, artists turned to genres such as portraiture and landscape painting, which were seen as more acceptable under the new regime.

In conclusion, the English Civil War had a profound influence on literature and art, shaping the themes, styles, and genres of the period. Through their works, writers and artists reflected the era's political and social upheavals, providing us with a valuable insight into this tumultuous period in.

The puritan age - important writers : 

John Milton: 

One of the most well-known authors of the Puritan Age, John Milton, had a profound impact on English literature. One of the best epic poems ever written in the English language is considered to be “Paradise Lost,” his most famous work. Deeply philosophical and theological issues are explored in Milton’s works, including the nature of good and evil, the fall of humanity, and the difficulties of free will. Readers are captivated by his command of the English language, his complicated rhyme, and vivid imagery, and his writing is influenced by his ardent political and religious convictions. John Milton’s contributions to literature are still studied and respected, solidifying his place as a Puritan Age literary legend.

John Bunyan 

In the Puritan Age, John Bunyan was a well-known author best known for his allegorical novel “The Pilgrim’s Progress.” The religious journey of the lead character, Christian, as he encounters different temptations and hardships on his search for salvation is depicted in this influential work that has caught readers’ attention for ages. “The Pilgrim’s Progress” has become an enduring masterpiece of English literature thanks to Bunyan’s vivid storytelling, complex symbolism, and profound comprehension of Christian theology. The work gives profound understanding into the state of humanity and the problems of faith in addition to reflecting the fervour of the Puritan Age in terms of religion. Readers looking for spiritual enlightenment and direction continue to be inspired by and resonate with Bunyan’s writing.

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF RESTORATION AGE : 

The period from 1660 to 1700 is known as the Restoration period or the Age of Dryden. Dryden was the representative writer of this period. The restoration of King Charles II in 1660 marks the beginning of a new era both in the life and the literature of England. The King was received with wild joy on his return from exile. The change of government from Commonwealth to Kingship corresponded to a change in the mood of the nation. In this period the Renaissance delight in this world and the unlimited possibilities of the exploration of the world, and the moral zeal and the earnestness of the Puritan period could no more fascinate the people of England. Moody and Lovett remark: ―But in the greater part of the Restoration period there was awareness of the limitations of human experience, without faith in the extension of the resources. There was the disposition to accept such limitations, to exploit the potentialities of a strictly human world.‖ The historical events like the Restoration of Charles II in 1660, the religious controversy and the revolution of 1688 deeply influenced the social life and the literary movements of the age. 

What were the main features of Restoration literature?

Restoration literature featured wit, satire, and a focus on social and political themes, often with a sense of realism.

Restoration literature, which emerged after the return of Charles II to the English throne in 1660, is known for its sharp wit and clever satire. Writers of this period often used humour and irony to critique society and politics. This was a time of great change and upheaval, and literature reflected the complexities and contradictions of the age. Playwrights like William Congreve and poets like John Dryden were masters of this style, using their works to comment on the manners and morals of the time.

One of the most notable features of Restoration literature is its focus on social and political themes. The period was marked by significant events such as the Great Plague, the Great Fire of London, and the ongoing conflicts between the monarchy and Parliament. These events provided rich material for writers, who often explored the tensions and dynamics of power in their works. For example, John Dryden's "Absalom and Achitophel" is a political allegory that critiques the political situation of the time.

Realism also became an important aspect of Restoration literature. Unlike the more fantastical elements of earlier periods, Restoration writers aimed to depict life more accurately and honestly. This can be seen in the detailed characterisations and complex plots of Restoration comedies, which often revolved around the intrigues and scandals of high society. Aphra Behn, one of the first professional female writers, is known for her realistic portrayals of both the upper and lower classes in her plays and novels.

In summary, Restoration literature is characterised by its wit, satire, and focus on social and political themes, all delivered with a sense of realism that aimed to reflect the true nature of the world at the time.

 

John dryden ( 1631-1700 ) 

Dryden, an influential figure of the Restoration period in English literature encounters negotiates his allegiance to diverse political and religious factions of the time. This module will then critically locate Dryden’s literary output in such a turbulent historical time frame. Focusing on Dryden’s political verse satire, mock-heroic poems, restoration comedies, heroic dramas, religious polemics, lyrics, translations, and critical writings, this module will give an idea about Dryden’s literary genius along with providing a primary sketch of the Restoration period in English literature.

Introduction :

 John Dryden (1631-1700), a leading writer of the Restoration Age in English literature, mastered the art of traversing a variety of literary expressions- heroic tragedy, comedy, verse satire, translations and literary criticism. Similar to his literary career, he changed his allegiance and views several times in his personal life too. Being allied to the Puritan party, he wrote his impressive ‘Heroic Stanzas’ (1659) on the death of Cromwell, the Lord Protector, but he readily adjusted himself with the Royalist climate of the Restoration. He wrote Astrae Redux in 1660 to welcome back the monarch, followed by the Panegyric to His Sacred Majesty. Again, in his later years Dryden shifted his religious allegiance from an Anglicism to Catholicism.

 

The poet who wrote poems like Religio Laici (1682) defining the king’s religion in Anglican terms changed his views when James II, a Catholic supporter , had occupied the throne in 1685 after Charles II’s death. He wrote The Hind and the Panther (1687) supporting Catholic views. Dryden was then not a writer segregated from the realpolitik of the time but very much rooted in the real historical, political and religious conflicts of the time. The fact that he adapted himself to the varying modes of his time, has led to many controversies and speculations about his sycophantic and opportunist nature. He was even blamed as nothing more than a political propagandist. But beyond all this debates about his shifting allegiance, Dryden was just negotiating with several conflicts that politics and history imposed on the writer’s function.

 

Paul J. Korshin has rightly summed up the predicament of Dryden’s literature. According to Korshin, Dryden’s ‘public’ poems are produced on thorny issues of political, theological and literary ideology and therefore there is a constant play of dispute, dissent and contestation leading to the ‘poetics of concord’ (qtd. in Grover xxviii). It is on the literary plane that several historical and political issues of the time is debated and discussed. Dryden’s contribution in this discursive domain of literature is beyond doubt here. Amidst this concordant scenario, Dryden denied extremism and fixity of any kind and became flexible both in his public life as well as in his movement across different genres of literature. He became an exponent of the golden mean in art, politics and morality.(Click Here )

Legacy of William Congreve : 

Congreve’s character was praised in Giles Jacob’s Poetical Register (1719), where he is described as being “so far from being puff’d up with Vanity…that he abounds with Humility and good Nature. He does not shew so much the Poet as the Gentleman.” The last phrase will serve as a comment on the notorious meeting with Voltaire, who in 1726 had come celebrity-seeking in England and wished to extract what he could from the great English writer of comedy. Congreve, failing, fatigued, attacked by gout, and half-blind, did not feel equal to discussing the minutiae of comic writing or a play he had written some 30 years earlier. He told Voltaire that he would be delighted to talk on general subjects, “on the footing of a gentleman” as he phrased it, but not on subjects of which he would be expected to display expert critical knowledge and affect the pundit.

Congreve is the outstanding writer of the English comedy of manners, markedly different in many respects from others of this period of the drama. Taking as its main theme the manners and behaviour of the class to which it was addressed, that is, the antipuritanical theatre audience drawn largely from the court, it dealt with imitators of French customs, conceited wits, and fantastics of all kinds; but its main theme was the sexual life led by a large number of courtiers, with their philosophy of freedom and experimentation. Restoration comedy was always satirical and sometimes cynical. Congreve rises above other dramatists of his time in both the delicacy of his feeling and the perfection of his phrasing.

The latter is strikingly exhibited in the opening speeches of The Old Bachelour, a play that no doubt appealed to the audiences because it handled with a new brilliance themes they were familiar with. Some of the repartee may seem superficial to modern readers, but that was the manner of the time. As Congreve progressed, his speeches became more modulated, more musical, but always sure in their cadence. “Every sentence is replete with sense and satire,” William Hazlitt wrote, “conveyed in the most polished and pointed terms.” As George Meredith stated, “He is at once precise and voluble…in this he is a classic, and is worthy of treading a measure with Molière.” Congreve’s most successful work is his last play, The Way of the World. Here he is doing more than holding up to ridicule the assumptions that governed the society of his time. He could not regard love merely as the gratification of lust, a matter of appetite rather than of feeling, but he was equally averse to “rationalizing” love. Congreve goes deeper than any of his contemporaries, has more feeling for the individual, and is far subtler. He was a sensitive craftsman, and nothing came from his hand that was not thoughtfully conceived and expertly contrived. Though not the equal of Molière, he was the nearest English approach to him.

 Conclusion:

The transition from the Puritan Age to the Restoration Age reflects a significant cultural shift in English literature, from the strict, religious, and introspective focus of the Puritans to the worldly, humorous, and often satirical tone of the Restoration period. Both eras, however, contributed uniquely to the evolution of English thought and artistic expression, laying the groundwork for the literary movements that followed.

Refrences :

“Characteristics and Themes of Puritan Literature.” Britten’s English Zone, www.brittensenglishzone.com/characteristics-and-themes-of-puritan-literature.html. 

“How Did the English Civil War Influence Literature and Art?” TutorChase, www.tutorchase.com/answers/a-level/history/how-did-the-english-civil-war-influence-literature-and-art. 

“Libretto.” Encyclopædia Britannica, www.britannica.com/art/libretto. 

“The Puritan Age.” UGC NET English 20, ugcnetenglish20.com/the-puritan-age/.