The Restoration Period (1660-1700) marks the re-establishment of the monarchy in England under Charles II after the Commonwealth period ruled by Oliver Cromwell. Key events include the lifting of the theatre ban, the establishment of political parties, and the Glorious Revolution, alongside significant literary developments influenced by classical and French literature. Major writers of this era include John Dryden, known for his poetry, drama, and prose, as well as notable figures in comedy and tragedy.

1. Name: Trivedi Anjali P
Roll no.:02
Enrollment no.:30692064202000
Subject : History of English literature-ftom 1350
to1900
Topic : Restoration Period
Guide Teacher : Dilip Barad sir
Email : anjali.trivedi305@gmail.com

2. The Restoration Period
(1660-1700)

3. Why it is called the period of
Restoration??
• Monarchy was Restored in the England
and Charles ll, Son of Charles l who had
been Detected and beheaded.
• It is also called the age of Dryden because
Dryden was the dominating the most
representative literary figure of the age.

4. ◆Restoration Period:
• The timeline of the Restoration age is 1660
to 1700 AD.
• Before The Restoration there was the
Commonwealth period,Under the reign of
Oliver Cromwell.
• During that time monarchy was completely
abolished during Restoration age.
• Charles ll was restored to the throne and
monarchy was re-established in England.

5. Continue..
• In 1649 Oliver Cromwell beheaded Charles the 1st and therefore monarchy
ended Charles ll tried to fight with Oliver Cromwell but Oliver Cromwell’s
army defeated him and Charles ll had go on exile in France.
• So that Oliver Cromwell was the leader during the Commonwealth Period.
• The group of the people called the Royalists who have always supported
the king and monarchy.
• They were always waiting for the perfect opportunity when monarchy can
be Re-established in England.

6. Continue...
• So after Oliver Cromwell died and his son Richard Cromwell
became the lord protector of England .
• The Royalists got the perfect opportunity because Richard did
not have the skills of Oliver Cromwell so that during that time
Charles ll defeated Richard Cromwell and he became the King of
England.
• This monarchy was Re-established in England and so that began
the Restoration age.

7. ◆Historical and Political
events:
1)Theatre Ban was lifted in 1660:
-Charles ll was restored to the
throne,He lifted to the theatre ban in
1660.
-That’s why in the civil war and
Cromwelth period theaters were
banned.

8. 2) Establishment of Royal
Society:
-Establishment of Royal
society in the Restoration Age
to promote rational enquiry,
Research and development of
Science.
-Reasoning and Logic these
were given a lot of
importance.
3)The Great Fire of London:
-In 1666 time almost 300
houses were burned down in
the great fire of London.

9. 4) Political Parties:
-2 main political parties emerged
during the Restoration age..
1.Whigs : This political party
wanted to curb the power of
monarchy they were instead in the
benefit and well-being of common
man.
2.Tory : They believed in the
divine rights of the king and
completely Supported monarchy.
5) Religious Conflict :
-Charles ll was an Anglican.
-Puritans ideals were completely rejected.
-His brother, James ll was succeeded to the
throne in 1685.
-James ll was a papist Roman Catholic,his
Catholic Prejudice made the whole Nation
turn against him 3 yers.
-In 1688,A glorious revolution occurred.
Protestant William and Mary of orange took
the throne from James ll.
William lll became the new king in 1689 AD.

10. 6) French Influence:
-Charles ll had spent most of his years exile in
France,he adopted a rich taste in English
literature.
-The writers of Restoration age Imitated
French French writers and playwrights.

11. ◆Literary Features:
1)The New Classicism:
-At that time writers off Restoration Age turned to the great classical
weiter, especially Latin writers for inspiration.
● French Influence:
2)In “Drama”:
-Chalres ll rich taste in French literature had a great impact on the
Restoration Drama, especially comedy.
French comedy,the great moliere’s influence was tremendous.

12. -Comedy of manners originated in France and gained popularity
in Restoration Age.
-Its objective was to show the manners of Aristocratic People.
-Commedia Dell’Arte is an Art from that first gained popularity
in Italy and then during the Restoration Age.
-Restoration Comedy was criticized for indecency and
permissiveness.

13. 3)In “Tragedy”:
-In tragedy , French and classical Models were combined to produce a new type of play called
“Heroic play”.
~ Ex.₹Tyrannic Love” by “John Dryden”
4)In “Prose”:
-Matthew Arnold said that the Restoration Age marks the birth of Moeden English prose as it was
the age Of Intellectualism and Rationalism
5)In “Poetry”:
-Popular poetry forms were lyric, narrative poetry odes and satires.
-This age was great for satirical writing.
-John Dryden “Absalom and Achitophel”is great example of political satire and “Mac Flecknoe” is a
example of personal satire.

14. 1.Major Writers:
1)John Dryden:
-Most important writer of Restoration Age,He write
poetry,drama and prose.
~Some notable poems of him:
-Absalom and Achitophel
-The Medal
-Mac Flecnoe
-Religion Laici
-The Hind and the Panther
-Song for St.Cecelia’s
-Alexander’s Feast
~Some notable plays of
him
-All for Love
-Tyrannic Love
-The Indian Emperor
-Conquest Of Granada
-Aureng Zebe

15. 2. Comedy Writers:
-William Congreve
-William Wycherley
-George Etheeredg
-Sir John Vanbrugh
-George Farquhar
-Thomas Shadwell
3.Tragedy Writers:
-Nathaniel Lee
-Thomas Otway
4.Poets:
~apart from Dryden notable
piet is,
-Samuel Butler (known for his
work “Hudibras”)

16. 4.Prose Writers:
-John Bunyan (known for
“Pilgrim’s Progress)
-William Temple
-Lord Halifax
“6.Diary” Writers:
-Samuel Pepys: His dairy
opens on 1 January,1660 and
continue until May 31,1669.
-John Evelyn : His dairy
contained moving incidents
such as the Great Fire.

17. ◆Reference:
• Restoration writers:
• https://englishsummary.com/restoration-prose
• Historical events:
• https://study.com/academy/lesson/the-restoration-period-
in-english-literature-timeline-lesson-quiz.html