The Age of Dryden

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In the history of English literature the period dating from 1660 to 1700 is called the Age of Dryden. Also called the Restoration Period, this was an era of change in political and social as well as in literary fields. In politics the period saw the reign of three rulers, two dynasties and a revolution. The social life of this period was influenced much by the French manners. The life of the people of England was greatly affected by the Great Plague of 1665 and the Great Fire of 1666. The city ravaged by the violent outbreak was later devastated by fire. The entire city was re-built. There was also a change in literary tastes during this time owing to the French influence. Literature appealed more to the head than to the heart and reason and good sense replaced emotion and imagination.

POLITICAL BACKGROUND

The year 1660 was a landmark in the history of England. The Stuart Dynasty which had been removed from throne and exiled to France following the beheading of Charles I was restored in the form of his son Charles II. Charles II was born and brought up in France. So he brought back with him French manners and language. His court was notorious for its licentiousness and deceit. The Puritan Age which preceded the Restoration period was known for its moderateness in morality and earnestness in religion. But with the fall of the Puritans, the moral ideals were discarded and there was an apparent lowering of the general moral tone. The theatres which had been closed because of the extreme moral sense of the Puritans were reopened and all the wild delights and pleasures like sports, music and dancing were once in vogue.

Charles II ruled England from 1660 to 1685. The Restoration saw the revival of the king, the Parliament...

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...f the Puritan regime and puritan spirit. The literature of the period was much influenced by reason and good sense of the French literature and was intellectual and rational. The great calamities of fire and plague led to the destruction of the London city and these affected the life of the nation. France was the model in everything from social life to literature.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Abrams, M. H. A Glossary of Literary Terms. India: Harcourt Asia Ltd, 2000

Compton-Rickett, A. A History of English Literature. London: Thomas Nelson

and Sons Ltd, 1947.

Hudson, William H. An Outline History of English Literature. Bombay: B. I.

Publications, 1964.

Wilson, John B. English Literature: A Survey for Students. London: Longmans,

Green and Cook Ltd, 1964.

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