The Restoration Period
& The Age of Enlightenment
by Joceline Rodriguez
The Restoration
Period 16601688
-started with the crowning of King Charles II in 1660
-ended with the removal of King William III in 1688
-essentially known as “restoring” the old way of English
monarchical form of government
History
✤
The English Civil War from 1642-1651 was a civil war between the
people of England that wanted to change their government from a
more traditional form of government to a more Republican
government that involved the people
✤
The Civil War ended with the beheading of King Charles I in 1649
✤
from 1649- 1659, England was controlled by various forms of
government that was not monarchical
✤
in 1660, Charles II was crowned King once again and “restored”
England’s parliamentary rule
The Glorious Revolution
✤
marked the end of the Restoration Period in 1688
✤
Charles II died in 1685 and the throne was given to James II (his
brother) since Charles did not have any kids himself.
✤
But William III, who had a say in the parliament, took away his power
after feeling that Charles II would not move England in the right
direction.
✤
In 1688, James II was overthrown officially
✤
In 1689, William III put himself on the English thrown, along with his
wife Mary, and they reigned England until their deaths
The Age of Enlightenment
1700’s
✤
took place throughout the 18th Century
✤
also known as the “Augustan Age”, “Neoclassicism” or “Age
of Reason”
✤
inspired by 17th century philosophers and physicians like Sir
Isaac Newton, Francis Bacon, and John Locke
✤
a period dominated by logic, reason, and scientific
approaches to religious, social, political, and economic issues
The
Enlightenment
Continued…
-many felt that it meant progress and perfection
-people started to see more potential in democracy and
freedom rather than Popes and Kings
-it was a period that celebrated ideas
Effects on Literature
✤
Restoration Comedy
-before restoration, literature was more “humble and spiritual themed”
-after restoration, more risqué and sexual context came into play
✤
Restoration Poetry
-first half of 17th century focused more on religious texts
-second half of the century focused more on the powerful potential of humans to improve the world they
live in and to help one’s self being, more inspirational
✤
Return of the theatre
-theatres were closed for 18 years around the time of England’s civil war by religious and political leaders
who thought they were sinful.
-Charles II loved dramas and quickly brought back theatres (made popular in the Shakespearean era)
More Effects on Literature
✤
Prose & Fiction
-a lot of writing stopped being written in verses and started to be written in a paragraph-like structure
-the help of advanced printing made it easier for books to be made and understood
-the first forms of novels were said to be created in this era
-before, literature consisted mostly of short stories, poetry, plays, and so on
✤
Birth of Journalism
-people started to learn about current events through newspaper like materials, instead of a single
square sheet with information
-literacy rates went higher causing more people to be informed about what is going on around the world
Famous Writers
of the Era
✤
✤
Jonathan Swift
Alexander Pope
✤
John Dryden
✤
Joseph Addison
Thank You :)
–Joceline Rodriguez