Restoration Age

Restoration Age (1660- 1700), this is the most important Age in English literature.As we know that from 1660 to 1700,is known as the restoration age in which the monarchy of Charles II was restored in England.He was come to England after downfall of puritans with some courtiers and friends to re-establish his Kingdom. When he stored his monarchy since then,  he revolted everything that was established by puritans. Every norms and regulations, customs and rituals, are replaced by him as previous time. after getting his position he allowed to open theatres, pubs, clubs and all centres of entertainment. in that time, there was a great changing in the society of literary ones. That time,John Dryden played most representative role for English literature in England.Many writers fetched out a concept 'Comedy of Manners'. The king Charles II was pleased by Dryden's work.He also started writing works which established him as a critic of repute. Doctor Johnson called him" the father of english criticism"his first major critical work was "The Essay of Dramatic Poesy(1668)" but today his best work is very popular for satire "Absalom and Achitophel (1681) and "Mac flecknoe (1682)". Both works were established him as a satirist.

                       After these things,some main dramatists came in this Restoration period. They were also contributing their knowledge for the Restoration period that was known as Restoration dramatists like George Etherege (1635- 1691). He was a prominent figure of restoration time for giving his best through literary skill to the literature.  His work showed The Spiritual and Immoral sense through first work" The Comical Revenge", introduced a style of wit hithetro unknown upon the English stage. His last work "The Man of Mode (1676),through it,he also introduced the comedy of manners to the English theatre, is identity for writing literature is totally different than others. William Wycherley (1640-1715),was bright English dramatist from a civilized family of society.He also got immense popularity in that time for his wit and fashionable style of writing.His thought also influenced the people including the king and his success proved by these two comedies The Country Wife, acted in 1675 and The Plain Dealer,acted in 1677. Both comedies were mixed up of the real social customs and behaviour.That time in that age, people were so serious and untrusted so he explained in a beautiful manner to be e trusted.

 William Congreve (1670- 1729),he was from a militant family, born England in 1670.He was also at front seat of restoration period. He was a dramatist,a poet and a novelist. He played his role during this period with high seat of confidence and par excellence as William Shakespeare. His father was an officer of defence department and he started writing at the age of 17.His plays as "Old Bachelor (1693),Love for Love (1695),The Double Dealer (1694)and The Mourning Bride (1697).Arpha Behn(1640- 1689), she was the first woman to be professional appear in 1640 in Canterbury England.She was not from an important class of family. she was a single women who had believe in Catholic customs. she got married to a businessman in 1664. Now, I want to say here that she served as an spy during the time of Charles II.She informed him secretly time to time,  her work also proved that the useful things in the revolution of literature. Her first play The Forced Marriage,appeared in 1670 and she had focused sexual issues through her play. The Ton Fop,( 1676), The Counterfeit Bridegroom but her most famous play was The Rover, she was popular to raise the voice against women and their sexual desire at a time, she said to us that women could be seen but couldn't be heard by the men. And the same contributions given by John Vanbrugh and George Farquhar indicated the people's problem through literature. 

Apart from all these dramatists, some other dramatists played vital role to introduce the taste of Charles ll.What the king wanted in England, he wanted to damage the power of puritans and capture the minds of people, finally he succeeded in his mission. He started all illegal things which were banned by the puritans for pleasure.