BA.

Sem3CC English- 304 Unit- 1

Que: Discuss the main literary tendencies of the age of Milton.

Introductior:
The reriod between 1625 and 1660 is known as the Puritan Age or the Age of
Milton. The period is known as Puritan Age because during this age Puritan
standards prevailed in England. This age is known as the Age of Milton because
John Milton (1608-1674) was the greatest literary figure of the age. This period
marks the end of what is known as Renaissance. The age was filled with
political and religious strife of the reign of Charles I (1625-1649). This period
saw the civil war, the triunmph of Puritanism, and the Restoration.

General Characteristics of the Age:

CivilWar:
The Age of Milton is a very compiex period both in the literary as well as social
lite of England. In thc carher years there was a conflict betweenthe King and
the Parliarnent and both struggled for the supremacy. The entire pericd was
dominated by the Civi! WNar which was divided people into two fractions- one
loyal to the king and the other opposed to the king. English people had
remained one and united to the Sovereign. The crisis began when Jarnes I had
recoiled the right of royalty from an act of Parliament, gave too much premium
to the Divine Right and began to ignore Parliament This led to a long drawn
out Civil War which lasted for more than a decade. King Charles I was defeated
and hanged in1649. After the execution of Charles i a Puritan Government was
established with Oiver Cromwell as the Dictator. But after the death of
Cromweli in l660 Charles Il was called from France and restored to the throne
of England.

The Influence gf Puritanism:

Puritanism exerted a profound inliuence on the tore nd te:nper of English ite
and thought of the seventeenth Century The puritan leaders were men oa
sirong ardsetiousharacter, calmiy determined arnd obstinately fanatical He
was not only inaifferent but also hostile to science nd art and the sense ot
beauty Puritan1sm had two chief objects the first was personal righte ousness
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supermacy- eaeNdl premium -aEn, eloti fan atical sçúcl

erceculion - hosile- aerer)
Sovereian - Dictalor- QieIR tiahteousness -
recoitec. obstinotely -syas
 and personal iberty Duong the Puitan rute of
the second was civil
dhd tere passed, simple
Gowell severe laws pleasures wert tobdden nd
theatre Were closed

Decline in literature:

Mho erowth of Puritanism had important consequences tor the literarylife of

the nation. During the seventeenth century ther was a dedine in itérary
production. There was a deep decline in literature of this sge tron hct
Elizabethan standards. The puritans were especially hostile to theatre and as a
result the Long Parliament had by an Act decreed the complete closure of all
dramatic performances in 1642. This was the final blow to the decining
Elizabethan drama. Art and literature came under a safne suspiclon
Milton, the greatest product of Puritanism:

Mliiton was the greatest product of Puritanism in Eoglish iteratue. ie stands

head and shoulders above all his contenporarics, In his work moral and
religious influences of Puritariism are combined with the generous cuture of
the Renaissance. Milton was most famous for his epic 'Paradise Lost (1667). A
sequel entitled Paradise Regaincd' was published in 1671 other notable
works include, The Hymn on the Nativity'(1629), on Shakespeate' (1630),
L'Allegro, I1 Penseroso' (1632), 'Comus (1637), tycidas' (1638) , Srmson
Agonistes (1667), Besides these he wrote marny lyrics, somets and excellent
prose.

The Development of Poetry Metaphyslcal:

During the age of Milto, the Metaphysical poetry wich : en st.rted by
Donne in the later part of the Shakespeat an Agri g h . blossam wa5 in
full swing dutiDg this age and the writers who Caried torwad tie tadition of
John Donne wero Crashaw, George Herbert, Vauglhan, AbtalmColey and
Marvel. 1Metaphysical poetry is a blend of notion and intuai genuty
characteised by ronceil ot wit. it deas with spritual ns pBato shitai hattors,

Jotn Doite wa, the most infbrental metapnyscal port early work
Cotected in 'Satres' and ii 'Songs d Sonoets" t poem inciude,
Canonization', Tie Estasy', The Anniversare' ite

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decrned
 George Herbert wrote religious poems. In 1533 his
The Temple: Sacred Poems and poems were published in
Private Ejaculatior s'. His farmous poems
include, Jordan(1), The Collar', 'Church
Monument' etc
As a metaphysical poet Marvell is associated with John Donne and Herbert. His
poems include, "To His Coy Mistress', The Garden', The
Mower's Song.
Richard Crashaw's best work is 'Steps to the temple'. He is
best at his religious
poems.

Henry Vaughan's most important works are 'Oior

Iscanus' (1651), "Silex
Scintillans'(1650)and "Thalia Rediviva' (1678). His best poems are The World
Departed Friends', The Hidden Flower',and The Retreat'!.
Abraham Cowley was a man of versatile literary interest. His wel!-known
works
are The Mistress', and 'The Pindaric Odes'.

Cavalier Poets:
There were other types of poets who are caled Cavalier poets. Whereas the
Metaphysica poets took delight in mystical and religious thought, the Cavalier
poets dealt with the subject of love. Thomas Carew, iHerrick, Richard Lovelace
and John Suckling were masters in the art of producing love-lyrics. Their works
weresimple, graceful in structure and highly polished in style.
The Expansion of Prose:
The development of prose was well-rnarked during this age. In spite of the
harnpering effects of the civil strife, the prose output was copious and
excellent in kind. There was a notable advance in the sermon; pamphlets were
in abundarice, history, politics, philosophy and other prase were well
represented.

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vey cingle and 'tyjicaly in fiat p
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énglanel. hn Milton end Arne Beadsteet
wexe twe lamouw uwitn wtru. Miton
rate etoriiely and is consleeec eao
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 B.A.Sem- Il| English C.C. -304 Unit-1
Que: Growth and Development of poetry in the 17"
and 18" century
17" Century English Poetry:
The poetry of the Elizabethan period had
highly exalted poetic fervour. In the
early 17" century, in the age of Milton there is a
long poems, there was an output of
change in it. In theplace of
shorter poems. Many poets attempted
poetry which had intellectual appeal as against the
Elizabethan age. Poets in the Puritan age can be dividedpassionate poetry of
into two categories
the Metaphysical and the Cavaliers.
MetaphysicaB Poetry:
Metaphysical poetry came into existence in the later part of the Age of
Shakespeare. It was started by John Donne and the writers who carried
forward the tradition of Dorne were Crashaw, George Herbert,
Vaughan and
Marvell. They produced a kind of poetry in which conceit and learning were
blended. They are usually lyrical in nature. Their work shows surprising blend
emofion of passicn and thought. These poems are full of learned imagery and strik1ng
conceits. The poets of the period reveal great psychological insight and
subtlety of thought. Most of the Metaphysical poets had religious and mystical
spirit.

John Donne was the most influential metaphysical poet. His early work
collected in 'Satires and in 'Songs and Sonnets. His poems include, 'Canonization,
The Ecstasy, The Anniversaried Etc.
George Herbert wrote ieligious pocms. In 1633 his poems were published in
The Temple: Sacred Poems and Private Ejaculations. His famous poems
include,ordan ().The Collat, Church Monument etc
As a metaphysical poet Marvell is associated with lohn Donne and Herbert His
poens include, To His Coy Mistress, The Garden, The Mowers Song.
Richard Crashaws hest wotk i Steps to tihe temple He is best at this relgious
poems.
Striking -yel2 insight - aictRYs. 0dRZe
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 'Olor Iscanus(1651), Silex
Henry Vaughar's most important works are
World
Scintillans(1650)and Thalia Rediviva (1678). His best poems are The
Departed Friends, The Hidden Flower, and The Retreae.
Abraham Cowley was a inan of versatile literary interest. His well-known works
are The Mistress,and The Pindaric Odes.
Cavalier Poets:
There were other types of poets who are called Cavalier poets. Whereas the
Metaphysical poets took delight in mystical and religious thought, the Cavalier
poets dealt with the subject of love. Thomas Carew, Herrick, Richard Lovelace
and John Suckling were masters in the art of producing love-lyrics. Tneir works
were simple, graceful in structure and highly polished in style.
Milton,the greatest product of Puritanism:
Milton was the greatest product of Puritanism in English literature. He stands
head and shoulders above al his contemporaries. in his work moral and
religious influences of Puritanismare combinedmock
with the generous culture of
the Renaissance. Miltonwas most famous for his epic Paradise Loste (1667). A
sequelentitled Paradise Regained was published in 1671. Other notable works
include, The Hymn on the Nativjty(1629),on Shakespeare (1630), YAllegro, I!
Penserosd (1632), "Comus (1637), lycidas (1638) , Samson Agonistes (1667).
Besides these he wrote many lyrics, sonnets and excellent prose.
Restoration Poetry:

ngÆ+ Ql The poetry of the Restoration age (1660-1700) was distinguished byclassical or
neo-classical traits balance, exactness, ardour and polish. ln the first phase of
this period there was the infiuence of the metaphysical! style. The most
favourite form of lyricalutterance was the ode. Satire was cuitivated with great
accuracy. Poetry became satirical and didactic and was dominated y
intellectual vigour, irony and wit.
Restoralfon - goiO)E ecact ness accu xaCy -

dictingutslad
faac|
ardoun
rolish dominated-yo
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Age of 5atire:
The Age is also known as the age of Satire. The
Restoration age is essentially
the age of Satire. Judging and criticising becane common in the society of
the
ageand this habit gave birth to the spirit of satire.
John Dryden:
John Dryden was the dominating figure of the Restoration Age so the age is
known as the age of Dryden. His 'Absalom and Achitophe is "an excellent
example of politica! satire. His Mac Flecknoe is a personal satire while The
Rehearsal shows the literaryvices of the time. Mac Flecknoe. 1622
The tind ard Panthar The Medal - iss2
Samuel Butler: (l663)
C1663)
Hismost famous satire is'Hudibras which is abitter satire on Puritanism.
The klophant in tine Moon (l64)
18" Century English Poetry: Satlre on the Qyt socie ty.
The earlier part (1700-1744), of the 18" century in English litrature is called
the Age of Pope because Alexander Pope was the dominating figurein the
period. It was the Age of Classical Schoot of poetry. The poets insisted on the
role of intelligence in everything and were deficient on the side of emotion and
imagination. Poetry of this age is didactic and satirical, a poetry of argument
and criticism, of politics and personalities.
In the poetry of this age, form became more important than substance. Poets
were more interested in the town and cultured society. +his led t0 a higt!,
artificial poetry.
niexander Pope:
Pope is considered as the grcatest poet of the Classical period. He is prince of
Cassicisnt. He teft a permanent mark on the literature of his age. he mu
uality of Popes poetry is correctnegs Popes The
(72 Rape of the tock is
0asterpiece. it is a mock-heroic epic lhe DunCtad is hus greatest satie His

iest poem was The Essay on Man and Tssay onCriticisnt.

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A
30idsmith
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from seen. thoughtSamuelDr.Johnson: the Age ofSusanRural His John
Gay:Progress TwoMatthew Prior:
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wrote this this. Johnson
was known
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