introduction:- The period from 1660 to 1700 is mentioned as the Restoration Age or the Age of Dryden because the monarchy was restored in England. In the year of 1660, Charles II was brought to the throne and the restoration of Charles II brought a new era both in life and in literature. The restoration actually replaced the power of the monarchy and puritan ethos. It brought the power of a Parliamentary system under the two parties – Whigs and Tories, and both parties encouraged social stability. Thus, the period from 1660 to 1700 has the most importance and it is called the Age of Restoration. W. J. Long remarks –
The inevitable effect of excess is disease, and for almost an entire generation following the Restoration in 1660, England lay sick of a fever; its literature especially its drama, often seems more likely the delirium of illness than the expression of a healthy mind.
Characteristics of The Age
1) Social and Political Conflict
With the come – back of Charles II, England’s social, political and religious tenets have transformed. The two devastating incidents – The great Plague of London and The Great Fire of London did much more harm to English Social life. W. J. Long said
2) Opening of Theaters
All the institutions that were closed in the puritanical movement were opened during the Restoration period. Political monarchy, Parliament Episcopacy and law were all restored. The clubs and coffee houses were also established during the period. These houses become the centers of political discussions and from here only, the periodical essays were originated.
3) Rise of Neo-Classicism
The Restoration marks a complete break with the past and the Elizabethan Romanticism was almost over. With the end of the past, literature took a new spirit and outlook and a different attitude in the subject and style. As Edward Albert says,
4) Imitation of The Ancients
The authors of the period were not endowed with exceptional talents. So, they turned to the ancient writers for guidance and inspiration. They directed their attention to the slavish imitation of rules and ignore the importance of the subject – matter. This habit was noticeable in the Age of Dryden. And it was strengthened in the Age of Pope. That’s why Alexander Pope writes –
earn hence for ancient rules a just esteem,
To copy nature is to copy them.
5) Realism
Restoration literature is realistic. It was concerned with the life and with the fashion and manners. W. J. Long writes about the practice of realism of this period –
6) New Literary Forms
The writers of the age went against the Elizabethan romantic ideals and tried to give realistic picture of the corrupt court and society. They exposed vices rather than virtues. The most important literary forms expounded during this age are as under:
A) Satire
Restoration age was an age of political unrest, sharp wit and personal contention. For this reason, satire got a new importance. Dryden’s Mac Flecknoe which was written in heroic couplet is considered as the best satire respectively.
B) Poetry
The Restoration poets completely discarded the romanticism of Elizabethan poetry and also rejected the morals of puritan poets. Poetry presented a realistic picture of the corrupt court, society, men and manners; and its appeal was to intellect and reason.
C) Drama
The theatres which were closed in 1642 were opened during the Restoration. Consequently, the plays were written for the play – houses. It gave rise to the development of the Comedy of Manners, which portrayed the sophisticated life of the dominant class of society.
D) Heroic Couplet
Restoration literature adopted the heroic – couplet as a poetic medium that is two iambic pentameter lines which rhymed together. Waller, who began to use it in 1623, is generally regarded as the father of the couplet. Later, Waller and Dryden made the couplet a literary fashion.
Conclusion
In a conclusion, the Restoration period is to be seen as one of transition. The glorious Revolution of 1688 also brought about a new change in social and political life. The Restoration literature developed realism and so the whole literature was developed in a new style. American biologist E. O. Wilson remarked
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