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The imaginative spirit of the Renaissance was replaced by a practical application of its ideals into actual existence. Even literature became involved with problems of practical politics. The spread of Classicism was the inevitable result of the Renaissance. The Romantic spirit of the Renaissance was due to the study of the ancient classics in Greek and Roman literature. At first writers were excited by the content of the classics. But at a later stage when the spirit started fading, they gave more importance to the methods of the old writers. This classical spirit was encouraged by the political needs of the times. Classicism was the substitution of the critical for the imaginative spirit. Instead of imagination, intellect was used as the nourishment for poetry. Reason and Good Sense were important than emotions. Literature dealt more with manners and superficialities instead of the human
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People applied themselves to the study of principles and laws of literature with ardour. Analysis dominated over imagination. Dryden who was the first great modern prose writer became the first great modern critic. He discussed in his works all the forms of literature which interested the people of the age from the forms and methods of drama to the qualities of ancient writers. His criticism was the embodiment of the growing classical ideals. His best criticism is contained in Essay of Dramatic Poesy in which he considered the merits and demerits of the various types of drama like the classical drama of the Greek and the Romans, the neo-classical drama of the French and the romantic drama of the English. In this work he glorified the use of heroic couplet in poetry. He can be regarded as the first true English …show more content…
The key ingredients in the drama were smartness, humour and licentiosness. The French drama of the time with its perfect correctness and lucidity had considerable influence on the drama.The comedy of manners took as its theme lust and intrigue and was reflective of the general laxity prevalent in the age.
William Wycherley, William Congreve, Sir John Vanburgh and George Farquhar were the major dramatists of the age. Their dramas reflected the fashion of the age and were brilliant with wit, gaiety and sense of indecency. Tragedy never succeeded as a form and was equally artificial as the comedy. The most popular form was the Heroic drama with depictions of love, gallantry and courage but with a sense of unreality. The imitations of classical models were also found.
The Restoration or the Age of Dryden was a period of great changes in actions and thought. There was a general lowering of moral tone due to the overthrowing of the Puritan regime and puritan spirit. The literature of the period was much influenced by reason and good sense of the French literature and was intellectual and rational. The great calamities of fire and plague led to the destruction of the London city and these affected the life of the nation. France was the model in everything from social life to literature.
People applied themselves to the study of principles and laws of literature with ardour. Analysis dominated over imagination. Dryden who was the first great modern prose writer became the first great modern critic. He discussed in his works all the forms of literature which interested the people of the age from the forms and methods of drama to the qualities of ancient writers. His criticism was the embodiment of the growing classical ideals. His best criticism is contained in Essay of Dramatic Poesy in which he considered the merits and demerits of the various types of drama like the classical drama of the Greek and the Romans, the neo-classical drama of the French and the romantic drama of the English. In this work he glorified the use of heroic couplet in poetry. He can be regarded as the first true English …show more content…
The key ingredients in the drama were smartness, humour and licentiosness. The French drama of the time with its perfect correctness and lucidity had considerable influence on the drama.The comedy of manners took as its theme lust and intrigue and was reflective of the general laxity prevalent in the age.
William Wycherley, William Congreve, Sir John Vanburgh and George Farquhar were the major dramatists of the age. Their dramas reflected the fashion of the age and were brilliant with wit, gaiety and sense of indecency. Tragedy never succeeded as a form and was equally artificial as the comedy. The most popular form was the Heroic drama with depictions of love, gallantry and courage but with a sense of unreality. The imitations of classical models were also found.
The Restoration or the Age of Dryden was a period of great changes in actions and thought. There was a general lowering of moral tone due to the overthrowing of the Puritan regime and puritan spirit. The literature of the period was much influenced by reason and good sense of the French literature and was intellectual and rational. The great calamities of fire and plague led to the destruction of the London city and these affected the life of the nation. France was the model in everything from social life to literature.