1.1 Political and social context of the Restoration

The Restoration period marked a dramatic shift in English society, politics, and culture. Charles II's return to the throne in 1660 ushered in an era of renewed monarchy, religious changes, and a more liberal social atmosphere. This transformation had profound effects on literature and the arts.

Scientific advancements, colonial expansion, and changing gender roles shaped the Restoration era. These societal changes influenced literary trends, leading to the revival of drama, emergence of new genres like novels and journalism, and the rise of neoclassicism in the arts and literature.

Political and Social Changes of the Restoration

Monarchical Restoration and Religious Shifts

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• Restoration period began in 1660 with Charles II's return to the English throne marked a significant shift from Puritan-dominated Interregnum to a more liberal and hedonistic society
• Monarchy restoration led to reestablishment of Anglican Church as official state religion increased tolerance for other Protestant denominations (Presbyterians, Baptists)
• Emergence of two-party political system with Whigs and Tories representing different ideological and socio-economic interests shaped political landscape
  • Whigs supported constitutional monarchy and religious tolerance
  • Tories advocated for strong monarchy and Anglican Church supremacy

Scientific Advancements and Natural Disasters

• Scientific advancements and rise of empiricism championed by Royal Society challenged traditional religious and philosophical beliefs
  • Establishment of scientific method
  • Discoveries in physics (Newton's laws of motion) and biology (microscopic observations)
• Great Plague of 1665 and Great Fire of London in 1666 profoundly impacted social and physical landscape of England's capital
  • Plague killed an estimated 100,000 people (20% of London's population)
  • Fire destroyed 13,200 houses and 87 parish churches

Social and Economic Transformations

• Period witnessed significant changes in gender roles and expectations particularly for upper-class women gained more social freedoms and visibility in public life
  • Increased participation in salons and literary circles
  • Greater access to education and artistic pursuits
• Colonial expansion and international trade grew rapidly during this time led to increased wealth and cultural exchange as well as development of consumer society
  • Establishment of trading companies (East India Company)
  • Introduction of new commodities (tea, coffee, chocolate)

Restoration's Impact on Arts and Literature

Revival of Drama and New Literary Forms

• Reopening of theaters in 1660 led to revival of drama with new genres gaining popularity
  • Restoration comedy (The Way of the World by William Congreve)
  • Heroic tragedy (All for Love by John Dryden)
• Rise of print culture and increasing literacy rates contributed to growth of new literary forms
  • Journalism (The London Gazette, first English language newspaper)
  • Essays (Sir William Temple's "Of Poetry")
  • Novels (Aphra Behn's "Oroonoko")

Neoclassicism and Intellectual Discourse

• Neoclassicism emerged as dominant artistic and literary movement emphasizing order reason and adherence to classical forms and subjects
  • Alexander Pope's translation of Homer's "Iliad"
  • John Dryden's adaptations of Shakespeare's plays
• Literary clubs and coffee houses became important centers for intellectual discourse and dissemination of new ideas and works
  • Will's Coffee House frequented by John Dryden and other literary figures
  • Kit-Cat Club influential Whig political and literary association

Gender and Translation in Literature

• Period saw first professional female writers and actors though they often faced significant societal challenges and limitations
  • Aphra Behn first professional female playwright
  • Nell Gwyn famous actress and mistress of Charles II
• Restoration witnessed renewed interest in translating and adapting classical works influencing both style and content of contemporary literature
  • John Dryden's translations of Virgil and Ovid
  • Thomas Creech's translation of Lucretius' "De Rerum Natura"

Court and Aristocracy's Influence on Literature

Patronage and Court Culture

• Patronage system centered around court and wealthy aristocrats played crucial role in supporting writers and determining literary trends
  • John Dryden appointed Poet Laureate in 1668
  • Samuel Pepys as patron to various artists and writers
• Court culture with emphasis on wit elegance and libertinism heavily influenced themes and style of Restoration literature particularly in poetry and drama
  • Rochester's satirical and bawdy poetry
  • Etherege's "The Man of Mode" depicting court life

Political Allegiances and French Influence

• Political allegiances and rivalries within court often manifested in literature through satire allegory and dedicatory practices
  • Dryden's "Absalom and Achitophel" satirizing political figures
  • Dedicatory epistles to powerful patrons in published works
• Royal court's fascination with French culture led to adoption of French literary forms and themes in English literature
  • Molière's influence on Restoration comedy
  • Adoption of French poetic forms (heroic couplet)

Aristocratic Women and Social Tensions

• Aristocratic women played significant role as both patrons and producers of literature contributing to development of genres like novel and memoir
  • Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle's philosophical and scientific writings
  • Mary de la Rivière Manley's political allegories and roman à clef
• Tension between court values and bourgeois morality became central theme in many literary works reflecting broader social changes of period
  • Contrasting characters in Wycherley's "The Country Wife"
  • Satirical portrayal of social climbers in Congreve's plays