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The Restoration period in English literature spans from 1660 to around 1700, beginning with the restoration of the monarchy under Charles II after the Puritan Commonwealth period. This era marked a dramatic shift in English culture, politics, and literature following the strict rule of Oliver Cromwell. The reopening of theaters, the rise of satire, and the development of modern English prose all characterize this vibrant literary period.
The Restoration period gets its name from the restoration of the English monarchy in 1660 when Charles II returned from exile in France to claim the throne. This followed nearly two decades of Puritan rule under Oliver Cromwell, during which theaters were closed, Christmas celebrations were banned, and many forms of entertainment were suppressed.
The return of Charles II from France brought French cultural influences to England, including:
Restoration literature is marked by several distinctive features:
The most famous dramatic genre of the period, the comedy of manners, satirized the behaviors, affectations, and sexual intrigues of upper-class society. Plays like William Congreve's The Way of the World and George Etherege's The Man of Mode epitomize this witty, often risqué style.
In contrast to the comedy of manners, heroic drama featured noble characters in extreme situations, written in rhymed couplets. John Dryden's The Conquest of Granada is a prime example.
The Restoration saw satire become a dominant literary mode, perfected by poets like John Dryden. His Absalom and Achitophel is a brilliant political allegory that commented on contemporary events through biblical parallels.
This period saw the emergence of modern English prose style—clear, direct, and suited to rational argument. John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress and John Locke's philosophical works exemplify this development.
Explore the wit and drama of the period with this collection of classic Restoration plays:
The dominant literary figure of the Restoration, Dryden excelled in poetry, drama, and criticism. He became England's first Poet Laureate in 1668. His works include:
One of the first English women to earn her living by writing, Behn was a playwright, poet, and novelist. Her works often explored themes of gender and power:
Discover the groundbreaking works of this pioneering female writer:
Known for his biting satires of aristocratic society, Wycherley's plays include:
Though a Puritan, Bunyan's allegorical works became classics of English literature:
The Restoration was a time of significant literary innovation:
Dryden collaborated with composer Henry Purcell to create Dido and Aeneas (1689), considered the first true English opera.
Dryden's An Essay of Dramatic Poesy (1668) established the foundations of English literary criticism.
The period saw the beginnings of modern journalism with publications like The London Gazette (founded 1665).
The Royal Society (founded 1660) influenced prose style, promoting clarity and precision. Robert Hooke's Micrographia (1665) exemplifies this.
By the 1690s, the excesses of Restoration culture began to give way to the more restrained sensibility of what would become the Augustan Age (1700-1750). Writers like Jonathan Swift and Alexander Pope would build on Restoration achievements in satire while adopting more formal structures.
The Glorious Revolution of 1688, which deposed James II and brought William and Mary to the throne, marked another political shift that influenced literature. The moralistic tone of much 18th-century literature was in part a reaction against Restoration libertinism.
Explore the works of the most influential writer of the Restoration period:
The Restoration period left an enduring mark on English literature:
While often overshadowed by the Elizabethan period that preceded it and the Augustan age that followed, the Restoration was crucial in shaping modern English literature. Its blend of wit, skepticism, and formal innovation created a bridge between Renaissance literature and the Enlightenment.
For modern readers, Restoration literature offers both entertainment and insight into a society undergoing rapid change—from political upheaval to scientific revolution to changing gender roles. The period's best works combine intellectual depth with sparkling wit, making them as rewarding to read today as they were three centuries ago.
