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John Donne inspires the metaphysical poets
John Donne was the founder of the metaphysical poets of the Restoration period. While Donne died before the Restoration period, his influence was evident throughout the later 17th century. Some of Donne’s most famous works include: “An Anatomy of the World" (1611), “The Sun Rising" and “Batter my Heart". -
Period: to
Restoration Literature
Although the Restoration Period is technically from 1660 to 1689, some literature written slightly before and slightly after is studied with this period. -
Abraham Cowley writes Inconstancy
Inconstancy is a poem about love. Cowley was a metaphysical poet. In contrast to the mainly satirical and realistic poets of the period, the “Metaphysical Poets” wrote about topics such as love and religion. -
John Milton writes On His Blindness
John Milton's “On His Blindness” is a poem that is representative of Restoration poetry as a whole. It is a sonnet written in iambic pentameter with some rhyming couplets. Most poetry was written in rhyming couplets in iambic pentameter; poetry was the most popular form of literature in the Restoration period. -
Henry Muddiman produces the London Gazette
Journalism—people of the Restoration period got their news mainly through broadsheet publications. Henry Muddiman was the first person to produce a successful newspaper in creating the London Gazette. The London Gazette is still an active news source today: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/ -
John Milton writes Paradise Lost
Milton was a noteworthy English poet. He is most well-known for his epic poem Paradise Lost which is a tale of the loss of innocence. In the Restoration period there was a quest for an epic English poem; Milton is said to have conquered the feat of creating an epic English poem in writing Paradise Lost. -
John Dryden is made Poet Laureate
John Dryden was a highly regarded poet and playwright of the Restoration period. Because he was able to produce both notable poetry and plays, he is often referred to as the most important literary figure of the restoration period. The Restoration period is often referred to as the “Age of Dryden”. Some of Dryden’s notable poems include “Mac Flecknoe” (1682), “The Medall” (1682) and “Absalom and Achitophel” (1681). Dryden’s most masterful play was All for Love (1678). -
Dryden produces The Conquest of Granada
Drama in the period tended to celebrate heroic men. One of the plays that portrayed this tendency very well was Dryden’s The Conquest of Granada. The Conquest of Granada was written in iambic pentameter. -
John Wilmot writes “A Satyr against Reason and Mankind”
Wilmot was a satirist well-known for his poetry. His poetry was considered scandalous and was well liked by Charles II. Wilmot received a mixed reception—many enjoyed his poetry, but others hated it due to its often vulgar nature. Some of Wilmot’s most popular works were “A Satyr against Reason and Mankind” (1675), “A Ramble in Saint James’ Park” (1667), and Sodom (1684). -
The Pilgrim's Progress is published
Religious writing— Religious writers such as William Penn wrote about peace and love. While Bunyan wrote about leading a Christian life of personal salvation in The Pilgrim's Progress.
