discuss the impact of restoration on English literature.
The restoration of monarchy in 1660 was a decisive event that had a tremendous impact on English life and literature. The puritan regime had too many rigorous restraints. In such a context, the reaction against puritan manners and morals was inevitable. The popular welcome given to Charles on his return was a clear indication of the craving of the general people for the restoration of the monarchist order. But released from the restraints, the English society rather lost itself in excesses and licenses. The king, himself an indolent sensualist, encouraged an atmosphere of hedonism and moral looseness. His companions who had returned with him from their exile in France brought with them French wit and French gallantry and liveliness.
The English society after restoration was certainly diseased. It suffered from the fever of indecency, immorality and license. The king who had been brought back to power by the restoration was not at all an inspired leader. Not merely that he indulged in corrupt practices and vices in private life, he had no redeeming sense of patriotism and responsibility in public activities. That was how the English life was affected and shaped itself after the restoration monarchy in 1660.
English literature was in no less way affected by the new standard and the new values of life, brought into existence by the new regime. There was a sudden break from old standards and ideals. Shakespeare and his great associates were no more the source of inspiration from the writers who came from restoration. The influence of France, as noted already, was tremendous and the new writers renounced the old Elizabethan ideas and tried to inspirit English literature in the new French models.
Of course it was a great age for French authors, particularly for the French dramatists. The French theatre was then illumined with the brilliant fireworks of wit and realism of Corneille, Racine and Moliere. It...