The Puritan Legacy & The Commonwealth 1625-1675: A Historical Overview
The era between 1625-1675 is known as The Puritan Legacy & The Commonwealth, characterized by a Puritan movement seeking moral and political reform. This period saw conflict, the rise of Puritan standards, beheading of Charles I, and the establishment of the Commonwealth under Cromwell. The Puritans, consisting of various religious sects, united against despotism in Church and State. The overthrow of Charles I and Cromwell's leadership marked a shift in power from the monarchy to Parliament.
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THE PURITAN LEGACY & THE COMMON WEALTH 1625-1675
A glimpse at the Historical background of the Age . Puritan period can be regarded as a second Renaissance. Puritan movement meant moral and political reform lasts in the nation almost for half a century. The Age has no distinct limits but overlaps the Elizabethan Period on one side and the Restoration on the other hand.
Why the Age is called Puritan? According to Oxford Advanced Learner s Dictionary it means people who has strict moral attitudes. The Age is called Puritan because- Puritan standards prevailed for a period of time in England and secondly, the greatest literary genius was the Puritan JOHN MILTON.
What happened in this period.. Historically, the age was one of extreme conflict. The Puritans fought vehemently to restore righteousness and personal liberty. When the Puritans able to beheaded Charles-1, established the Commonwealth under Cromwell.
Under the Cromwell, their goal of setting liberty and righteousness was succeeded. The age was one of the moral and political revolution. The idea of National Church which was seen in the earlier times, ended up.
Who were the puritans? ***Puritan included people of all religious sects- English Churchmen of Separists, Calvinists, Coventars, Catholic noblemen. All these fought united against the despotism in Church as well as State.
Why so happened? This is happened because people were fed up from extreme despotism of the monarchy. People were earlier loyal to the monarchs. But since the time of Jacobean Period, james- 1 the monarchy tried to prove their DIVINE RIGHT which upset the Parliament. Later the strife between the Monarchy and the Parliament ended up in the overthrow of Charles-1 and the formation of new ruler Cromwell, the representative of the PARLIAMENT.
Impact on LITERATURE Sudden change in the political ideals and confusion of people reflected in literature. Now under Cromwell, pleasure is thought as SIN. People can t sought for pleasure and this goes same with literature.
Characteristics of literature during this period . The struggle for political and religious liberty divided the nation which is also distinct in the literature created in the period. PESSIMISM is pervaded in the literature. No romantic ardor is tainted in the literature instead it was marked by critical, intellectual spirit. No great writers emerged whom can be comparable to Elizabethan writers.
Literary output: John Milton- Due to his great creations, the Age is known after him. Also known as great Puritan poet whose work supported the Parliamentary party. A literary genius who also tread new paths of religious ground. An outstanding poet who tried his hands both at poems & sonnets.
Works of Milton:- His masterpiece is Paradise Lost , the only English epic. He wrote a series of pamphlets against episcopacy, divorce, liberty of press and support of regicide.
Some major works of literature Political writing developed. Exmpl: Leviathan by Hobbes Paradise Lost by Milton Areopagitica by Milton
Significant groups:- The Roundhead: it s a pseudo name given to the supporters of the Parliament. They were opposite to the Cavaliers. The Cavaliers were also known as Royalists. The Cavaliers: the Cavaliers who known as Royalists were supporters of the King. These believe the supreme power of the Kings as Divine Rights .
The cavalier Poets: The Cavalier poets were the supportes of King Charles. They emerged during the 17thcentury. The poets of this group are Robert Harrick, Thomas Carew, John Suckling, Richard Lovelace & Henry Vaughan. They all were admirer of Ben Jonson. The poetry they wrote were different from the Metaphysical poets. They expressed directly without using metaphors & allegories
Some distinct characteristics: Plain and direct language. Influenced by Renaissance spirit. Avoid the subject of religion. Deals with the subject-matter of minor pleasures or sadness.
Historical background: In 1603 James-1 succeeded Elizabeth to the throne. His accession to the throne made the political situation of England became gloomy. He was a bigot & believed to the divine right of the king . This helped in the rise of Puritan philosophy to impact the Englishmen.
Historical background: In 1625 Charles-II ( son of James-I) succeeded to the throne who was thoroughly unreliable & treacherous. He dissolved the parliament in 1629 & ruled without it for 11 years. Though he revived it again in 1639 yet the conflict between him & the parliament resulted in his death & the establishment of Commonwealth ( under Cromwell).
Historical background: The most important political event was the civil war ensued in 1641. this impacted the entire period and almost all the writers were effected by it. On the one side the country was torn between political conflicts and upheavals and on the other hand the puritan movementwas making its impact.
Historical background: It was a movement against the political and moral degradation of a cultured nation. Life was stern. Under Cromwell severe laws were passed. Pleasures were forbidden.
Literature at a glimpse: In literature, the puritan period is one that of confusion due to the breaking up of ideals. Spenser s tradition was perishing. Metaphysical Poetry became popular. High Elizabethan standards were declining.
Literature at a glimpse: Drama was totally eclipsed and the reflective & philosophical mood was emerging. The out-put of poetry was much smaller and the fashion towards shorter poems was seen, specially the lyric poem. Prose activity was much than the poetical works.
