Please ensure to read the part 1 of the Restoration Literature.

1. Restoration Tragedy  – Heroic Tragedy – combination of Epic and tragedy; Tragedy – a tragic flaw but Heroic Tragedy, not because of tragic flaw but by Failure, hero failing by his failure may be in a duel/battle, in Restoration Tragedy – hero’s failure isn’t something inherent from the beginning of the play, but when he tries something –an act, he fails – Nicholas Rowe, John Dryden, Thomas Otway.
2. Epic – a lengthy poem – often poets never able to completely write it, due to its extreme length – a stylised life off a person, dictated in a formal manner, not a person existing alone but connected to society – it begins in media rest – not a liner progression of events but could begin anywhere. Alexander Pope wrote a Mock Epic, written using the style of the Epic, making fun of it.

3. Restoration Comedy – Comedies in Elizabethan Period – love and its tribulations – romances written in the Elizabethan Period is congratulatory praises the Monarch – Elizabeth mainly. With restoration, comedy comes back, but a different set; a class bound comedy – to deal with the upper classes, Shakespearean plays enacted by Shakespearean Company, which in Jacobean period the company was renamed under Jing James – ‘Kings Men’ – which catered to the needs on general people and not aristocracy, but was later seen to align to the needs of Aristocracy, therefore the comedies written during Restoration was class bound, and lot of upper class people were represented in that way. Metropolis – London, urbanised metropolitan – filled with stereotypes – innocent with faulty characters; ‘predatory widows’ looking for men with money, as well as men looking for women with good estates – money. Restoration Comedy emphasis on love triangle and rivalries, among parallel plots. Restoration Comedy – marriages are regarded as a boring restrictive system, ‘looking for estates’ as well as a boring restrictive system. Both narratives existed the latter was unique, where women had a voice of their own and men objecting towards the institution of marriage. Adultery/Carnality/Folly and Vices/ Proviso Scene – ‘Way of the World’ by William Congreve  – a prenup – a marriage bargaining scene. William Congreve, George Etherege, William Wycherley, George Fraquhar, John Vanburgh – Big five of Restoration Comedy – portraying the upper class yet critiquing – subverting them.  London – the urban side is a setting for all of them and there would be a juxtaposition between the urban and rural side of London.Attacks on Immorality – genre of drama is declining, Theatre Licensing Act of 1737, granting license to any play or refuse on any grounds – the initial half of 18th Century; revival of this particular form of writing – 1770’s Restoration Comedies – Oliver goldsmith – 1773, ‘She stoops to Conquer’ and Sheridan in 1775 and 1777 ‘Rivals’ ways in which the RC is revived in the 1770’s. And Oscar Wilde in ‘the Importance of Being Ernest’.

Restoration Period is during 1660 and the monarch and its influence in England. This period marked the return of Charles II as King (1660–85) following the period of Oliver Cromwell’s Commonwealth

1. history writing – a significant contribution made during the Restoration Period, documenting the religious and political history of England. The English Prose written to popularise Science – in Renaissance – emergence of new cosmos and science able to release from the clutches of religion, and during the Restoration Period – The Royal Society of London – for the improvement of Natural Knowledge – a learned society thinking about rationality, factual interpretation, empirical reasoning, clearly the opposite of the Medieval Period, where we don’t question authority – a significant thread carried forward in the Restoration is the spirit of Science and Technology. The Royal Society of London – a scientific advisor to the British Government, a principal advisor as well. Thomas Sprat – history piece, on The History Royal Society of London.  Gilbert Burnet.
2. Diary writing – Pepys and Evelyn diaries- social documents –  presenting grant details, gossip and rumours of 17th Century intellectuals, discussing events like  – coronation of Charles II, Fire of London (1666) Plague of England (1665), wars fought.  Evelyn’s work – Fumifugium – smokiness of London, how it was becoming increasingly populated , Sylva – reforestation, and pollution, how river Thames was becoming increasingly populated.
3. Travel Writing – sponsored by The Royal Society of London to make a systematic documentation and collection of natural knowledge, funding foreign travels – only condition is to report the travels. Samuel Smith, Benjamin Walford, William Dampier – traveler belonging to the Restoration Period, connection is restoration science and travellers as they work hand in hand, beyond providing data  but also their direct interaction with a new land would impact – direct experience of the new land and not just the marvels of travel documentation. Richard Haklyut and Thomas Roe (India is a very rich country and they sell Jewels on the streets of India).
4. Biographies – secular as well as religious people as well – Izeak Walton ‘Lives’, John Dryden – the History of particular mens life. Hagiography – biography of a christian Saint – the pious life of a saints life.