Genre Studies - Unit-II The Restoration Period

 Unit-II

The Restoration Period

1660-1700

Restoration of Monarchy

• The Puritan Interregnum ended and monarchy was restored under Charles II.

• This paved way for the reopening of the theatres that were closed in the Puritan rule.

• Charles II accompanied with French influence arrived in England and he was called the “Merry Monarch”.

• Charles II secretly favoured Catholicism and he didn’t have any heirs.

• This led to the Exclusion Crisis, the Whigs turned against Charles II.

• Earl of Shaftesbury, introduced exclusion bill that excluded Catholics from inheriting the throne. 

The Monmouth Rebellion

• The Tories wanted only the royal blood to ascend the throne, So they suggested James the brother of Charles II and the Whigs wanted James Scott, Duke 

of Monmouth the eldest illegitimate son of Charles II to be the king.

• The Whigs encouraged James Scott to rebel against the Tories and this came to be known as The Monmouth Rebellion.

• The Whigs failed in the rebellion and King James II came to power.

Jacobite Risings

• James II tried to reintroduce Catholicism but both the parties turned against him.

• He was ousted from power in three years.

• His daughter Mary II and her husband William III of Orange came to take the throne who were protestants.

• William and Mary established a joint monarchy.

• James II quietly left England with his supporters attempted to recapture England and this came to be known as Jacobite risings.

• Later Queen Anne sister of Mary II came to power.

The Baroque

• The restoration period came under the 

compelling influence of French classicism in 

art, philosophy literature and social behaviour. 

• The baroque is a style in art, architecture, 

music and literature.

• Classical forms are enhanced to achieve 

elaborate and highly dramatic effect. 

• Milton was greatly influenced with the 

baroque. 

Genres of Restoration Era

• Poetry: immoral, Earl of Rochester an important poet

• Prose: modern, plain matter of fact prose, criticism also developed.

• Drama: Comedy was luxurious and immoral with aristocratic presentation on the stage.

• Sentimental comedy emerged later, a middle class reaction against Restoration comedy. It ended with the Licensing Act of 1737.

• Heroic drama: about the great achievements of warrior

s. They are torn between love and duty.