Restoration Era 

Introduction

The Restoration period in literature was a dynamic and vibrant time of experimentation and creativity.

Restoration authors sought to challenge traditional literary conventions, often writing in an ironic, satirical style that used wit and humor to explore various topics. This period saw the flourishing of numerous genres, from comedy to epic poetry and drama.

In this blog, we'll take a look at some of the best Restoration authors and works. We'll explore their unique styles and discuss how their work revolutionized the way we think about literature today.

We'll also delve into their historical contexts and look at the social issues they addressed with their writing. So without further ado, let's start our journey through the fascinating world of Restoration literature!

Overview of the Restoration Period

The Restoration Period began in 1660 and ended in 1700 with the death of Charles II. It marked a period of major changes in both literature and society as a whole.

During this era, literature was heavily influenced by the rise of the novel, which began with Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe and Samuel Richardson's Pamela. At the same time, satire was a popular genre, specifically Restoration comedy. Other notable genres included diaries, biographies, travel writing, essays, and poetry.

Notable authors of this period include John Dryden (the most influential author of this period), William Wycherley, Sir George Etherege, and Aphra Behn. Not only were they popular during the Restoration period but also greatly influenced later eras as well.

What set Restoration Literature apart from other eras was its focus on exploring themes such as individualism and freedom - which resonated with readers in the modern day. It gave readers the unique perspective of seeing their lives through the eyes of others, making it easier to relate to their experiences. The use of the second-person point-of-view allowed readers to be more emotionally invested in each character's story and journey as it unfolds throughout each work.

The Best of Restoration Comedy

The Restoration era was a time of great change in English literature, particularly in the genre of comedy. Though plays were only permitted to be written in rhyming couplets, theater reached its peak during this period.

Themes explored in Restoration-era comedies included extravagance and excess; affairs of the heart; and clashes between the old and new generations. Some of the most famous works of this period are:

• William Wycherley's The Country Wife (1675): This is a play full of sexual innuendo, satire and outrageous characters. Its farcical plot revolves around a womanizer who creates a fake marriage in order to have multiple affairs.

• George Etherege’s The Man of Mode (1676): This comedy follows Dorimant, an aristocrat who is determined to find love by sleeping with as many women as possible. It subverts traditional gender roles by introducing strong female characters who are equal to the men on stage.

• William Congreve's The Way of The World (1700): This play features two characters who attempt to manipulate people and situations to get what they want – money, status, and power. It is considered one of Congreve’s greatest works for its sharp dialog and wit.

Noteworthy Novels From the Era

Coming across some of the best writings of the Restoration era is an exciting experience. There are so many novels that were written during this time and you owe it to yourself to check them out.

Below are some of the most renowned novels that were released during the era:

• Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe – Written in 1719, this novel follows a shipwrecked man's adventures on an exotic island. It was one of the first English novels to wide appeal to readers and is often seen as one of the first examples of modern fiction writing.

• Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift – This book was released in 1726 and follows the travels of Lemuel Gulliver as he visits a variety of strange lands, each with its own culture and customs.

• The Life and Opinions Of Tristam Shandy, Gentleman by Laurence Sterne - Published from 1759-1767, this book is considered one of the earliest examples of a psychological novel, focusing on its protagonist’s life and struggles, instead of providing a sense of romance or adventure.

• Tom Jones by Henry Fielding – Released in 1749, Tom Jones has since been heralded as one of the greatest comic novels were ever written. It follows a young man’s journey through love, morality, and high society as he navigates his path in life.

These novels all provide great insight into what books were like during the Restoration period. Be sure to check them out if you want to get a better understanding of this period in literary history!

Poetry and Prose of the Age

The Restoration era saw the flourishing of both poetry and prose. This literature was broadly characterized by a focus on wit and satire, an exploration of the importance of appearance and reputation, a criticism of prior eras, and a reliance on classical forms.

Poetic Form

The most popular poetic form during the Restoration age was the heroic couplet, composed of rhymed pairs of iambic pentameter lines. Many writers experimented with other forms as well, such as John Dryden’s use of triplets to emphasize a point.

Prose Form

At the time of the Restoration Era, psychological novels were written in Prose form because it is the natural flow of writing and speech however, it helps the writers to explore the human condition. Characteristically these novels contained wit and satire while managing to explore universal themes in terms that were poignant yet accessible to the common person.

The art prominent in Restoration literature was an important contributor to its success - while drawing on classical methods, these writers created new works that spoke with both humor and insight. The popularity of these works has endured over time, as they continue to capture readers' attention with their timeless messages.

Examining Satires From the Time

The Restoration era was a golden age of satire. Writers from the time used this genre of comedy to comment on the social and political issues that they observed in England. Here are some popular Restoration satires you may want to explore:

The Country Wife (1675) by William Wycherley

In this play, Wycherley used satire to poke fun at the moral values of the upper classes. The protagonist, Horner, hides his sexual activities by pretending to be impotent so he can have affairs without it being known. However, his ruse works too well and he must take drastic measures to prove that he can still perform.

Love in Excess (1719) by Eliza Haywood

This novel centers on the character Alithea, who is surrounded by men competing for her attention. Haywood uses satire to comment on gender roles within relationships and how society dictates who can be loved and how much love is acceptable.

Joseph Andrews (1742) by Henry Fielding

Joseph Andrews is a burlesque (i.e., a broad parody) of Samuel Richardson's writing style from novels like Pamela and Clarissa – Fielding jokingly imitates Richardson's melodrama with tons of exaggeration for humorous effect. The plot follows Joseph as he navigates various situations like kidnapping and sexual blackmail with his trademark wit and moral integrity intact.

Key Authors From the Restoration Period

The Restoration era gave us some of the best authors of all time, who continue to inspire and influence writers to this day. Here are a few of the authors from this period that you should know about:

Aphra Behn

Aphra Behn was an English playwright, poet, and novelist who is best known for her plays The Rover and Oroonoko. She was one of the first professional female writers and is credited with pioneering a feminist voice in literature.

John Dryden

John Dryden was an influential English poet, dramatist, satirist, critic, and classical scholar. He wrote poetry such as Mack Fleckno, or The Tale of a Tub and Absalom and Achitophel. He also wrote plays such as The Indian Emperor and All for Love; or, The World Well Lost.

William Congreve

William Congreve was an English playwright who wrote comedies such as The Old Bachelor, Love for Love, and The Way of the World. He is renowned for his wit and elegant comic style that he put forth in his works.

These three authors were major figures in Restoration-era literature whose work continues to shape the way we write today.

Conclusion

Restoration literature was a period of immense literary activity that produced some of the most renowned works of English literature. It saw the birth of a new literary form, the modern novel, as well as a revival of hard-hitting satire that had long been absent from English writing. The Restoration period also saw a flourishing of female authors, whose works were often groundbreaking and controversial. From the works of Dryden and Swift to the novels of Behn and Burney, the authors of the Restoration period changed the way literature was produced and enjoyed. Rest assured, these classics of the Restoration era are still relevant and enjoyable today and are sure to provide hours of entertainment.