Late Renaissance and
Neoclassical and
Restoration-era Britain
1625-1798

Historical Context
Wars of the Roses end 1485; stability
Printing press
Shift from agrarian to industrial-based economy;
factories
Growing literacy
Demise of traditional village life
Poverty increases
Monarchy temporarily suspended / restored

Popular Themes
Development of human potential
Aspects of love
World view shift: religion and afterlife to life on
Earth
Shift to emphasis on reason and logic
Harmony, stability, wisdom

Styles and Genres
Poetry
Sonnets
Metaphysical poetry
Satire
Essays
Letters/diaries/biographies
Novels

Effects
Rise of common man: commoners welcome at
plays
Puritans shut down theaters
Emphasis on individual
Humanity = basically evil
“The world is as it should be.”

Major Writers
John Donne Daniel Defoe
Ben Jonson Jonathan Swift
Andrew Marvell Alexander Pope
Robert Herrick Samuel Johnson
Sir John Suckling James Boswell
John Milton Thomas Gray