Puritan Age and Restoration Age

 This blog Task was assigned by Dilip Barad Sir (Department Of English,MKBU)

Puritan Age and Restoration Age

Introduction:

Puritan Age (1620–1660):

The Puritan Age, also called the Age of Milton, was marked by strict moral discipline, deep religious faith, and political turmoil, especially the English Civil War. Literature reflected Puritan ideals of seriousness, morality, and spiritual struggle. Writers like John Milton (Paradise Lost) and John Bunyan (The Pilgrim’s Progress) emphasized religion, morality, and individual conscience over worldly pleasure.

Restoration Age (1660–1700):

The Restoration Age began when Charles II was restored to the English throne in 1660 after Puritan rule. It was a time of wit, comedy, and worldly pleasure, a sharp contrast to Puritan severity. Literature celebrated social life, satire, and reason. Playwrights like William Congreve and John Dryden revived drama, especially comedy of manners, while poetry and prose reflected elegance, wit, and rationality.

1.Puritan Morality and Restoration Wit: Literature Shaped by Politics and Religion (1620–1700)

The Puritan Age reflected a society dominated by strict moral codes, civil war, and religious intensity. Literature was deeply shaped by Puritan ideals, emphasizing faith, obedience, and moral reform.

One major literary trend was religious prose, especially allegories and sermons. John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress (1678) became the most famous example, portraying the Christian journey as a struggle toward salvation. Prose was not ornamental but functional—meant to teach and guide believers in spiritual discipline.

Another dominant genre was epic poetry, represented by John Milton’s Paradise Lost (1667). This monumental work explored the fall of man, weaving biblical themes with political and religious symbolism. Milton’s use of blank verse and his moral vision reflected both the grandeur of epic tradition and the stern values of Puritanism.

The Restoration Age (1660–1700)

Comedy of Manners and Heroic Couplet

With the monarchy restored under Charles II, literature shifted from austerity to indulgence, wit, and sophistication. Theatres reopened, and the Comedy of Manners flourished. Writers such as William Congreve (The Way of the World) and George Etherege crafted witty plays filled with satire, flirtation, and social intrigue, capturing the lively spirit of aristocratic society.

In poetry, the heroic couplet became the dominant form. Perfected by John Dryden, it was used for satire, political commentary, and literary criticism. Dryden’s works such as Absalom and Achitophel demonstrated sharp wit and moral reflection, making him the voice of Restoration literature.

2.This is comparative timeline showing major political events and their corresponding literary milestones for both ages.

Period	Major Political Events	Key Literary Trends & Works
Puritan Age (1620–1660)	- 1620: Pilgrim Fathers sail to America, spreading Puritan ideals - 1642: English Civil War begins - 1649: Execution of Charles I, Puritan rule under Cromwell	- Religious Prose: John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress (1678) - Epic Poetry: John Milton’s Paradise Lost (1667) - Sermons, moral treatises, and devotional writings dominate
Restoration Age (1660–1700)	- 1660: Restoration of Charles II and monarchy - Reopening of theatres and revival of aristocratic culture - Political conflicts between Whigs and Tories	- Comedy of Manners: William Congreve’s The Way of the World, George Etherege’s plays - Heroic Couplet Poetry: John Dryden’s Absalom and Achitophel (1681) - Satire, wit, and secular themes dominate.

●The Puritan Age produced religious prose and moral epics, reflecting strict discipline and faith.

●The Restoration Age revived theatre and witty satire, reflecting a more worldly, indulgent culture.

3.From Purity to Pleasure: The English Muse in Transformation

As the year 1700 draws to a close, one cannot help but reflect upon the extraordinary transformation the English Muse has undergone in the past century. From the stern austerity of Puritan letters to the sparkling wit of Restoration stage and verse, English literature has mirrored the nation’s shifting moral and political climate.

The Puritan Ideal: Literature as Moral Guide

In the Puritan Age (1620–1660), literature bore the weight of religion and conscience. Milton’s Paradise Lost sought not mere entertainment but the justification of God’s ways to man. John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress turned the Christian’s spiritual journey into a vivid allegory, reminding readers of the narrow road to salvation. Prose, sermons, and poetry alike were bound to a higher purpose: to instruct, to discipline, and to edify. For Puritan readers, literature was a solemn companion in their moral lives, echoing the spiritual rigour that dominated England’s political life under Cromwell.

The Restoration Turn: Wit, Worldliness, and Satire

With the return of Charles II in 1660, the nation’s literature shifted dramatically. The closing of the theatres under Puritan rule had left a cultural vacuum, but the Restoration filled it with laughter, indulgence, and theatrical brilliance. Playwrights such as William Congreve and George Etherege painted the follies of fashionable society with a sharp pen, celebrating wit and sophistication over piety. Meanwhile, Dryden’s heroic couplets brought satire and political commentary to the forefront, delighting audiences who relished cleverness as much as moral lessons.

Reception by the Age

This shift was not without controversy. Many older, devout souls lamented the decline of moral seriousness, decrying the Restoration comedies as scandalous. Yet, for younger courtiers, aristocrats, and even the rising middle class, this literature was a breath of fresh air after decades of solemnity. It reflected the joy of regained freedom, the exuberance of theatres reopened, and the return of pleasure to public life.

Conclusion

Thus, in the span of eighty years, the English Muse moved from Purity to Pleasure, from religious gravity to secular wit. This transformation reflects not decay, but adaptation—an art ever responsive to the pulse of its age.

Resources:

https://blog.dilipbarad.com/2021/02/puritan-and-restoration-age-english.html?m=1