A brief account of the social, political and literary tendencies of the Restoration Age:
The Restoration period in England refers to a period in English history from 1660 to 1688, following the restoration of King Charles II to the throne after the English Civil War and the subsequent Commonwealth period under Oliver Cromwell. The period was marked by significant changes in politics, society, and culture.
The Restoration era refers to the period in English history that began in 1660, following the restoration of King Charles II to the throne following the English Civil War and the subsequent Commonwealth period under Oliver Cromwell. This period was marked by significant social, political, and literary changes, reflecting the transition from Commonwealth puritanism to a more liberal and secular society. In this essay, we will give a brief overview of the social, political and literary trends of the Restoration era.
Social Trends:
The Restoration period saw significant changes in the social structure of England. The middle class grew in wealth and influence, and new social norms emerged. One of the most significant changes was the emergence of coffee houses as a new social space where people from different classes could come together to exchange ideas and engage in political and intellectual discussions. This marked a departure from the traditional social hierarchy of England, where social interactions were mostly limited to one class.
Another significant social trend of the Restoration era was the rise of consumer culture. The growth of trade and commerce led to an increase in material wealth, and people began to spend more on luxuries and services. During this time, the fashion industry has grown, new styles and trends have appeared. Theater also became a popular form of entertainment, and performances were often attended by people from all walks of life.
Political trends:
The Restoration period was marked by significant political changes. The restoration of the monarchy marked the end of the Commonwealth period and the return to a centralized absolute monarchy under King Charles II. However, the power of the monarchy was limited by the growing influence of Parliament, which gained more power during the Commonwealth period. This led to a period of political instability and conflict between the monarchy and parliament.
The period was also marked by the emergence of political parties, with Whigs and Tories becoming the dominant parties. The Whigs were associated with liberal values and supported the interests of the middle class, while the Tories were associated with conservative values and supported the interests of the monarchy and the aristocracy.
The literary trends of the Restoration era were also marked by significant changes. During this period, new literary forms emerged, including the novel, essay, and diary. These new forms allowed writers to explore the complexities of human experience and emotion in new ways.
Literary trends:
One of the most significant literary trends of the Restoration era was the emergence of the novel as a popular literary form. The novel allowed writers to explore the complexities of human experience and emotion in new ways, and quickly became a popular form of entertainment for people from all walks of life. Some of the most popular novels of the period include John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress and Aphra Behn's Oroonoko.
The period is also marked by the emergence of new forms of drama, including restoration comedy. Restoration comedies were often bawdy and satirical and reflected the growing influence of the middle class in English society. These plays were often set in London and dealt with themes of love, sex and money.
Another literary trend of the Restoration era was the rise of literary criticism. The rise of literary criticism reflected a growing interest in literature and the arts and allowed writers to participate in debates about the nature and purpose of literature. One of the most famous literary critics of the period was John Dryden, who wrote influential works on drama and poetry.
In conclusion, the Age of the Restoration was a period of significant social, political and literary change. This period was marked by the rise of the middle class, the rise of political parties, and the rise of a consumerist culture. This period also saw the emergence of new literary forms, including the novel and restoration comedy, as well as the flourishing of literary criticism. These changes reflected the transition
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