Restoration Literature

The Restoration and Augustan period

The character of literature (especially drama) is greatly characterised by the political (and social) change of 1660. In 1660 English, Scottish and Irish monarchies were all restored under Charles II. 'Restoration' refers to both the act and the period that followed the commonwealth of 1649 - 1660.

Theatres reopened after having been closed during the protectorship of Oliver Cromwell. Theatres were closed for 18 years by the puritan regime. Inevitably when drama returned it was with change, a change that represented the constraints of expression. This period is known as the renaissance of English drama. Restoration comedies are known for their sexual explicitness (this was encouraged by Charles II).

The Restoration period saw the emergence of the first female playwright, Aphra Behn. Behn's work was all in light of her royalist views and can be seen as a protest of the powerlessness of women.

Prose in the restoration period is dominated by christian religious writing but the restoration also saw the beginnings of two genres that later would dominate - fiction and journalism.

works include-
Thomas Sprat - History of the Royal Society
John Locke - Philosophical works. Introduces the concept of Empiricism. He emphasized the plastic nature of Society (he saw monarchy overthrown, democracy evolve, democracy corrupt and monarchy restored)
John Bunyan - 'The Pilgrim's process' - an allegory of personal salvation and guide to Christianity.