Restoration to Romantic

Transition from Renaissance Continue to see a belief in bettering themselves and the world in which they live. Movement to maintain social and political order Continue to see an idea of fate and how men’s choices help determine their destiny

Restoration Was known as the restoration because during this time the king was restored to the throne and monarchy restored to the thrown. Charles II takes over. Best known for establishing the Royal Society of London, promoted scientific research and advancement Thinkers promoted logical approaches to issues, supported status quo, & promoted support of authority figures

Restoration Problems Great Plague of 1665 – 68,000 dead Great Fire of 1666 – consumed 13,000 houses, 400 streets, & almost 90 churches Growth of middle class that will split parliament Little monarchy control by the end of the 1600s

Industrial Revolution Goods are now produced in factories. Scientific and technological advances: steam engine, development of vaccines, the telescope, geometry, and calculus etc. Men could unravel the mystery of the universe Brought God down from the Heavens and elevated men closer to God

Labeled as: Age of Reason: Anything could be achieved. People stopped asking “why” and started asking “how” Neoclassical Age: Marked by a fascination with classical styles of Ancient Greece and Rome – focused on order, balance & harmony Age of Elegance: upper classes led an elegant lifestyle – very extravagant Augustin Age: Reference to Emperor Augustus when literature and commerce thrived in Rome 2 literary periods: Pope and Johnson

Literary Achievements First English dictionary England’s first magazines Satirical poems and essays Historical, political, and philosophical writings Literary criticism Development of the novel

Close of the Restoration Cool approach changes with volatile world around them Three revolutions: American, French, & Industrial More defined middle class Literate Political power Vocal about concerns and opinions

The Romantic Era Begins in 1798 with the publication of Lyrical Ballads by William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and ends with the death of Sir Walter Scott and the passing of the First Reform Bill. Romanticism is not love; it is an idea. Described as emotion over reason, heart over head, a sense of mystery of the universe and its beauty.

History French Revolution – Napolean – revolution turns into tyranny and political uneasiness Fear spreads to England – government starts locking down on its people and their freedoms Industrial Revolution produces urban growth, but also the exploitation of the working class

Writers Deeply affected by the promise and disappointment of the French Revolution and the downside to the Industrial Revolution Ideas become the main literary concerns of the time period.

Characteristics Emotion over Reason – believed literature should appeal to the heart, emotion and imagination. Literature was to be personal and private. Interest in Nature – used as place for inspiration, place for meditation, and resolution to a problem

Characteristics Cont. Rebellion against tyranny – detested the destruction of the natural world and the mistreatment of the poor by the new wealthy order. Common over the elite – glorified the common man and wrote in a common tongue Supernaturalism – fantastic dream worlds with an interest in ancient legends, faraway places and the dark areas of one’s own mind – the realm of mystery and magic

The Gothic Novel Romantic writing that highlights isolated or ominous locales; large, rambling structures; implied danger to isolated or vulnerable characters; and horrific distress or menace, such as mysterious disappearances or deaths, supernatural manifestations, omens, unexplained events, or an atmosphere of terror and suspense.