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17 th – 18 th Century British History (1625 – 1798)

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.

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17 th – 18 th Century British History (1625 – 1798)

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  1. 17th – 18th Century British History (1625 – 1798)

  2. 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.

  3. 1625 Charles I (Stuart) is crowned king when father James I dies. Tried to enforcereligious “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

  4. 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.)

  5. English people are miserable under repressive Puritan control. Parliament votes to restore the monarchy. 1660 Charles II (son of Charles I) returns from France and takes the throne. Period is known as “The Restoration” He is a patron of the arts and sciences Reopened theaters Restored 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.

  6. Parliament offers the throne to James II’s daughter Mary, who is married to German prince William of Orange. • 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.)

  7. 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.

  8. 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 the powers 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 made things worse for the poor. Unemployment was growing, slums were growing, crime was increasing. The Enlightenment movement died

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. Metaphysical Poetry: Characterized by intellectual displays and concern with metaphysical (philosophical) issues: The meaning of death The 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 style Draws unusual comparisons involving science, philosophy, religion.

  12. Metaphysical poet -- John Donne (1572-1631) “Holy Sonnet 10” (pg 427) Structure: Petrarchian sonnet Ending paradox: “Death, thou shalt die” Theme: Death is powerless against the immortal soul “Meditation 17” (pg 429) Structure: Free verse Conceit: 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.)

  13. Epigrams: (Epigrammatic poetry) A short poem in which the poet strives for brevity, clarity, and permanence. Features: 1) Short lines with bouncy rhythms 2) Paradoxical twists 3) 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.

  14. Epigrammatic poems of Ben Jonson: “On My First Son” (pg 437) Structure: 6 heroic couplets Theme: 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 rhyme Theme: 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.

  15. Carpe Diem Poetry: “Carpe Diem” is Latin for “seize the day”. Carpe Diem poetry’s theme/message is: life is fleeting, so act quickly 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

  16. Carpe Diem Poems: Andrew Marvell (1621-1678) “To His Coy Mistress” (pg 447-448) *One of the best lyric poems in English Structure: All in rhyming couplets Tone: Impatient, persistent; uses humorous word play Theme: 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, teasing Theme: Enjoy youth, as it passes quickly.

  17. Forms of 17th & 18th Century Prose 1) The Diary (or Journal) Definition: A daily account of the writer’s experiences and reactions. Features Written 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)

  18. Diary Writers: Samuel Pepys (1633-1703) wrote The Diary of Samuel Pepys He was a clerk for the Royal Navy Diary not intended for public; written in code. Non-fiction! Covers his life in London 1660-1669 (the Restoration) Provides valuable info about this historic era Is an account of his personal troubles and triumphs It 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.

  19. 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- 1719 Moll 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 satires Most famous for writing Gulliver’s Travels It was a satire on popular travel books. Used humor and imagination.

  20. 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.

  21. 4) The First Dictionary Author: Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) Born in poverty; self-educated Wrote 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 Boswell Wrote The Life of Samuel Johnson in 1791 Regarded as “the greatest English biographer”.

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