Concetti Chiave
- The 17th-century literature was shaped by the religious conflict between Anglicans and Puritans, continuing Renaissance traditions.
- Drama evolved significantly post-Restoration, influenced by French models, with Congreve as a leading playwright.
- The great fire of London spurred an architectural revival led by Sir Wren, inspired by Italian and French styles.
- Music and opera gained popularity, with works by Sir Purcell and adaptations of Shakespeare being prominent.
- The late Renaissance period laid the groundwork for the 18th-century scientific revolution, moving away from Aristotelian views.
LITERATURE.
Influence of religious conflict on literature
The struggle between Anglicans and puritans influenced the literature of the 17th century that also continued the tradition of renaissance.
In poetry there were two main groups. The cavaliers poets and the puritans poets. The first were classicist in art and royalists in politics; the second supported the puritans. However the two tendencies are mixed in the two main poets of the age Marvell and Milton.
Evolution of drama and prose
Drama suffered because of closing of the theatres during the puritan period, but flourished again after the restoration changing significantly: audiences were made up of higher classes and plays showed a deep influence of French models.The best author is Congreve.
As for prose, the 17th century saw the rise of a modern prose style: the essay, the letter and the diary. Here again we distinguish the puritan prose and scientific and journalistic prose.
ARCHITECTURE.
Architectural revival post-fire
The rebuilding of the city of London after the great fire was the work of sir Wren the greatest English baroque architect. He was strongly influenced by Italian and French architecture.
MUSIC AND OPERA.
In this period also there was the emergence of operas. The first one was by sir Davenant. Some of the most popular were adapted from Shakespeare plays and were set to music by the best composer of the day sir Purcell.
Music was one of the Londoners’ favourite forms of entertainment.
A NEW SCIENTIFIC AND PHILOSOPHICAL OUTLOOK.
New scientific and philosophical vision
The bases of the scientific revolution of the 18th century were laid during the last period of the renaissance.There was a break with the old aristotelian idea of the universe and a parallel development of scientific instruments. This new rational outlook was at the centre of the philosophy of Thomas Hobbes.
SCIENCE AND THE ROYAL SOCIETY.
Science and philosophy went together in those day and influenced society and literature; so an exclusively scientific academy was founded called Royal society. It had several members like the astronomer Halley (now remembered for the comet that has its name), the mathematician and physicist Newton , the philosopher Locke.
Domande da interrogazione
- How did religious conflict influence 17th-century literature?
- What role did the Royal Society play in the scientific and philosophical developments of the time?
The struggle between Anglicans and Puritans significantly impacted 17th-century literature, continuing the Renaissance tradition. This conflict led to the emergence of two main poetry groups: the Cavalier poets, who were classicists and royalists, and the Puritan poets. Notably, poets like Marvell and Milton blended these tendencies.
The Royal Society, an exclusively scientific academy, played a crucial role in the scientific and philosophical advancements of the era. It included notable members like astronomer Halley, mathematician and physicist Newton, and philosopher Locke, contributing to the break from Aristotelian ideas and the development of a new rational outlook.
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