Restoration Literature

In literary history, the Restoration is also considered a special epoch of literature. Beginning in 1660 (natch) and ending in 1689 (with the "Glorious" Revolution) or in 1700 (with the death of John Dryden and the end of the century) or in 1714 (the death of the last Stuart. written during the period of the English Restoration (1660-1689).

Restoration Literature turned away from the artistic and anthropocentric features of the Renaissance. It reflects social behaviours of the time. Other characteristics of Restoration Literature are:

• Moral indifference
• Revival of neo-classical Roman and Greek writing styles (epic and lyric poetry and drama, comedy, tragedy)
• Reference to the Bible
• Satire
• Justification of monarchy or republic as a theme
• Restoration of the monarchy
• Rejection of Puritanism
• Revival of theatre and French literature.

Satire in particular became the “medium of serious and open protest against real or supposed erroneous developments in politics and society“ (Fabian, Bernhard and Weiß 91).

Well-known writers of the Restoration are Edward Hyde, John Dryden, Andrew Marvell, John Wilmot, Samuel Pepys, Aphra Behn, John Bunyan and Richard Baxter. Important works from the period are:

• “The History of the Rebellion and Civil Wars in England“ by Edward Hyde.
• “Pilgram's Progress“ by John Bunyan
• “The Diary of Samuel Pepys“ by Samuel Pepys.

Fabian, Bernhard, and Wolfgang Weiß. “Die Englische Literatur.” Open Access LMU, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 1 Jan. 1991, https://epub.ub.uni-muenchen.de/5298/.

Harol, Corrinne. “1688: Literature, Politics, and the Long Restoration.” Restoration: Studies in English Literary Culture, 1660-1700, vol. 39, no. 1/2, 2015, pp. 5–16. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/43664701. Accessed 10 Jan. 2023.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Restoration Literature.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 1998, https://www.britannica.com/art/Restoration-literature.