17 th – 18 th century british history (1625 – 1798)
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17 th – 18 th Century British History (1625 – 1798). The years of the early 17 th century were turbulent times- New religious creeds changed society and traditions. (Puritans, Calvinists, Presbyterians) Advances in science, esp. astronomy, changed thinking. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
17th – 18th Century British History
(1625 – 1798)
The years of the early 17th century were turbulent times-
New religious creeds changed society and traditions.(Puritans, Calvinists, Presbyterians)
Advances in science, esp. astronomy, changed thinking.Earth is NOT center of universe. Idea of “infinite space” unsettled people.
Exploration opened up a new world of possibilities.
These changes made people want new freedoms (democracy).
This was “The Age of Reason”, where philosophers believed that all knowledge could be gained by man’s mere ability to reason.
1625 Charles I (Stuart) is crowned king when father James I dies. Tried to enforce religious “conformity”, meaning everyone
was to follow the Church of England. Persecuted Puritans;
Puritans flee to America and found Plymouth Colony. Abused his powers; taxed the rich, forced poor into service. Dissolved Parliament when it opposed his wishes
1642 Civil War broke out between the Cavaliers (supporters of the king) and the Roundheads (supporters of Parliament)
King Charles I Roundhead leader Oliver Cromwell, a Puritan
1645 Oliver Cromwell’s Roundheads defeated king’s troops.
1647 Charles I was beheaded; the monarchy is abolished. His family flees to the French court of King Louis XIV.
The Death Warrant for Charles I
1647-1658 Oliver Cromwell rules England as “Lord Protector”.
He is a dictator- people have even less freedom than ever.Outlaws dancing, newspapers, fancy clothes, gambling, etc.All theaters are closed on his order. (This is when the Globe
Theater is torn down.)
English people are miserable under repressive Puritan control. Parliament votes to restore the monarchy.
1660 Charles II (son of Charles I) returns from Franceand takes the throne.
Period is known as “The Restoration”He is a patron of the arts and sciences
Reopened theatersRestored the glory and excesses of the English court.
1685 James II (brother of Charles II) takes throne upon Charles’ death.His efforts to return England to the Catholic faith caused
religious conflict.Weak ruler.Parliament exiles him 1688-
called the “Glorious Revolution”.James II and his family flee to the
French court of King Louis XIV.
Parliament offers the throne to James II’s daughter Mary, who is married to German prince William of Orange.
1688 William and Mary become King and Queen of England.
1689 William & Mary agree to a Bill of Rights----1) Parliament must approve all taxes; 2) King may not suspend any laws.
This is the start of Constitutional Monarchy!
Political parties emerge in Parliament:
Tories (conservative aristocrats) Whigs (rising merchant class)
Prime Minister now actually rules England with help of a Cabinet of Ministers and Parliament. (This is still true today.)
Late 1600’s – Early 1700’s – The “Agricultural Revolution” occurs.
New farm tools increase food production.Population booms because there is now plenty of food.However, fewer farm workers are needed to produce it.
Loss of jobs in the country on farms.Unemployed people move to big cities looking for work. Causes tremendous growth of cities; slums emerge.
1687-1750 Period known as “The Enlightenment”
Scientists & philosophers believed that, through observation and logic, they could understand the order of the universe.
A turning away from religion to a belief in thepowers of observation/logic.
Created a new style in literature as well.
1687 Isaac Newton produces his Law of Gravity.
1750 People began to feel that “progress” only madethings worse for the poor. Unemployment wasgrowing, slums were growing, crime was increasing.
The Enlightenment movement died
1750’s – Start of “The Industrial Age”.
Inventions created for mass spinning and weaving of cloth.Steam engine created that could run power looms.Factories built to make cloth – cloth exported all over world.
Tremendous growth of factories!Drew more poor to cities.Terrible, unsafe working conditions; low pay.
Rich got richer – poor got poorer
More new literary genres, forms, and styles emerge in this period
than in any other.
Poetic “schools” (styles) of the 17th & 18th Century
1) Metaphysical Poetry
2) Epigrammatic Poetry (Epigrams)
3) Carpe Diem Poetry
Metaphysical Poetry: Characterized by intellectual displays and concern
with metaphysical (philosophical) issues:The meaning of deathThe brotherhood of man
Poetic devices commonly used in metaphysical poetry: Paradoxes- Images or descriptions that seem self-contradictory
but which reveal a truth.
Conceits- Extended comparisons that link objects or ideas not commonly associated. Often mixes abstract ideas and emotional issues.
Metaphysical poet -- John Donne (1572-1631)Pioneered new, witty, intellectual styleDraws unusual comparisons involving science,
philosophy, religion.
Metaphysical poet -- John Donne (1572-1631)
“Holy Sonnet 10” (pg 427)
Structure: Petrarchian sonnetEnding paradox: “Death, thou shalt die”Theme: Death is powerless against the immortal soul
“Meditation 17” (pg 429)
Structure: Free verseConceit: mankind is a volume (book) written by God, each
man is a chapter in that book.Theme: Every man’s fate and interests are linked to those of
his fellow man through his bond with God.
(Shows emergence of new belief in the brotherhood of man.)
Epigrams: (Epigrammatic poetry)
A short poem in which the poet strives for brevity, clarity, andpermanence.
Features:1) Short lines with bouncy rhythms2) Paradoxical twists3) Parallel phrases or clauses
Epigrammatic poet—Ben Jonson (1572-1637)
Sought perfection and harmony of classical writers.Turned away from overly ornate style of Elizabethan poetry.
Epigrammatic poems of Ben Jonson:
“On My First Son” (pg 437)
Structure: 6 heroic coupletsTheme: Pain is unendurable when you lose something you
loved too much.Style: Poet addresses his dead son directly; last line contains
a paradox.
“Song to Celia” (pg 440)
Structure: Four quatrains; even-numbered lines rhymeTheme:The soul thirsts for love, which is as intoxicating as
wine (compares love to wine)Style: Balance, simplicity. Short lines. Based on style of
ancient Greek poets.
Carpe Diem Poetry:
“Carpe Diem” is Latin for “seize the day”.
Carpe Diem poetry’s theme/message is: life is fleeting, so actquickly to enjoy it.
Carpe Diem Poets:
Andrew Marvell (1621-1678) *Most famous follower of “The School of Jonson” Combines classical influence and intellectual brilliance
Robert Herrick (1591-1674) Also greatly influenced by Ben Jonson
Carpe Diem Poems:
Andrew Marvell (1621-1678) “To His Coy Mistress” (pg 447-448)
*One of the best lyric poems in EnglishStructure: All in rhyming coupletsTone: Impatient, persistent; uses humorous word playTheme: Youth and beauty are fleeting, so follow your
desires before they fade.
Robert Herrick (1591-1674) “To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time” (pg 449)
Structure: Four quatrains (ABAB)Tone: Cheerful, teasingTheme: Enjoy youth, as it passes quickly.
Forms of 17th & 18th Century Prose
1) The Diary (or Journal)
Definition: A daily account of the writer’s experiences and reactions.
FeaturesWritten in “First Person” (“I”)Provide valuable insight into historical periods/events.Creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy (you are there)Usually written for personal use (these are non-fiction)May be written for an audience (often fiction)
Diary Writers:
Samuel Pepys (1633-1703) wrote The Diary of Samuel Pepys
He was a clerk for the Royal NavyDiary not intended for public; written in code. Non-fiction!Covers his life in London 1660-1669 (the Restoration)Provides valuable info about this historic eraIs an account of his personal troubles and triumphsIt is his only literary work.
Daniel Defoe (1660-1731)– wrote A Journal of the Plague Year
He was a spy, merchant, and con man; always in debt.His Journal is actually fiction (not true).Details the Great Plague in England 1664-1665; only loosely
based on fact.
2) The Novel: (Fiction!)
Famous novelists of the period:
Daniel Defoe (1660-1731)Most famous for his novels.Published them as non-fiction (true) memoirs. (They weren’t!)
Robinson Crusoe- 1719Moll Flanders- 1722
**Dafoe is called “Father of the modern, realistic novel”.
Jonathan Swift (1667-1745)Was a clergyman and Tory Party writer Wrote religious and political satiresMost famous for writing Gulliver’s Travels
It was a satire on popular travel books.Used humor and imagination.
3) The Essay
Alexander Pope (1688-1744)
Most famous essayist of the period
Badly crippled by tuberculosis of the bones
Brilliant satirist who wrote in poetic verse:“The Rape of the Lock”—a mock epic
Best known for serious philosophical essay “An Essay on Man”
**Uses Antithesis: Placing side-by-side strongly contrasting words, phrases, sentences, or ideas.
4) The First Dictionary
Author: Samuel Johnson (1709-1784)Born in poverty; self-educatedWrote The Dictionary of the English Language
Started in 1746 – took 9 years!Has many features still in use today:
Words, pronunciation, origin, usage
5) The First Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia Britannica – written 1768-1771
6) The First Biography
Author: James BoswellWrote The Life of Samuel Johnson in 1791Regarded as “the greatest English biographer”.