THE RENAISSANCE Time period (1500-1600)
The Renaissance Time period in English literature is also acknowledged as Elizabethan Period of time, or the Age of Shakespeare. Renaissance implies the revival of learning, and in its broadest sense it is the gradual enlightenment of the human brain following the darkness of the middle Ages. This age advocated humanism, emphasizing man’s issue with himself as an item of contemplation. The Italian writers Dante, Boccaccio and Petrarch started out this motion, which soon spread other international locations of Europe. Also, revealing writer’s very own self grew to become complete of desire. Sensitiveness to official natural beauty and cultivation of the aesthetic feeling lead to the beautiful lyrical poetry of the Elizabethan age.
The poetry of Elizabethan Age opens with Sir Thomas Wyatt and the Earl of Surrey. One more significant name is Thomas Sackville. Thomas Sackville, compared with Wyatt and Surrey, is not a cheerful author, but he is exceptional to them in poetic approach. Sir Philip Sidney and Spenser produced their mark by supplying unfastened rein to their creativity and delivering fantastic imagery, which was characteristic of Elizabethan poetry. Shakespeare while outshines with his performs, but his sonnets reach the substantial h2o mark of poetic excellence.
THE PURITAN AGE (1600-1660)
Seventeenth century English literature may be divided into two periods the Puritan Age and the Restoration Time period. The seventeenth century can be spelled out as the decrease of Renaissance spirit. Breaking absent with the previous was accomplished, and the present day spirit in the fullest feeling of the expression arrived into becoming. The seventeenth century up to 1660 was dominated by Puritanism. Though the Renaissance brought with it culture, it was generally sensuous and pagan and it wanted some form of sobriety and profundity, which had been contributed by Puritan movement. The Puritan motion stood for liberty of the individuals from the shackles of the despotic ruler as perfectly as introduction of morality and substantial beliefs in politics. Milton was the greatest poet of the puritan age and he stands head and shoulder over all his contemporaries.
The Puritan poetry also known as Jacobean and Caroline can be divided into 3 elements
1. Poetry of the university of Spenser
2. Poetry of the metaphysical school
3. Poetry of the cavalier poets
(1) The School of Spenser
The Spenserians had been the followers of Spenser. These writers have published pastorals and allegories in the flamboyant and diffuse design of Spenser. Having said that, they had been not relocating sufficient to carry us to the realm of romance, as does Spenser’s masterpiece. We discover shades of Sidney and Shakespeare current in their do the job as very well.
(2) The poets of the metaphysical university
They are termed metaphysical poets not mainly because they are very philosophical, but for the reason that their poetry is whole of conceits, exaggerations, screen of studying, significantly-fetched similes and metaphors. The chief of this university was John Donne with the followers like Herrick, Thomas Carew, Richard Crashaw, Henry Vaughan and George Herbert.
(3) Cavalier poets
Cavalier poets adopted Ben Johnson who adopted classical method in his poetry, and imitated Horace. His verse possessed classical dignity and fantastic sense, but lacked in grace and simplicity. Critical figures of this age are Herrick, Lovelace and Suckling.
THE RESTORATION Period (1660-1700)
In English literature, period from 1660-1700 is called the period of Restoration, due to the fact the monarch Charles 2 came back to England from his exile in France and grew to become the king.
Dryden was the notable figure of this age, so it is also called the age of Dryden. Charles 2 and his followers, who had loved a homosexual life in France through their exile, did their best to acquire that kind of looseness in England also. All restraints and limits were thrown to winds. The restoration time period commenced to imitate French writers. The outdated Elizabethan spirit, with its patriotism, adore of experience, resourceful vigor, and Puritanism with its ethical disciplines and enjoy of liberty grew to become a matter of previous. Realism and preciseness turned the leading traits of this age. When the writers painted the authentic shots of corrupt culture and court docket, a coarse and inferior kind of literature was developed. Little by little the trend adjusted and both virtue and vice were juxtaposed. In this way, preciseness and directness became the eminent traits of this age.