Time Period 1603-1660

Major events - English Civil War - ends with the beheading of King Charles I, 1649
- Interregnum - A Commonwealth of England is formed
- Restoration - Begins with restoration of King Charles II to the throne 1660

Political Movers and Shakers

Royalists - AKA The Cavaliers - Leader: King Charles I - In support of the monarchy (despite being minority) - Religion: Catholics

Parliamentarians - AKA Roundheads - Leader: Oliver Cromwell - In support of Parliament - Religion: Puritan

[Cavalier Poets]
Not just literary also political in support of the Royalists against Puritan dominated parliament.
Surrounded the king and reveled in royal (decadent) lifestyle.
Clothing quite fancy and ornate; hair long.

Style: Seeking to entertain rather than instruct; working toward natural speech pattern in poetry; inspired by Classical poets inspirational (simple style; classical sounding female names)
Favorite topic? Love. Some favorite symbols: clothing, flowers.

Philosophy: Carpe Diem (seize the day)

Ben Jonson (sons of Ben) (1572 - 1637)
Robert Herrick (1591 - 1674)
Sir John Suckling (1609 - 1642)
Richard Lovelace (1618 - 1657)
Edmund Waller (1606 - 1687)

[Metaphysicals]
Style:
- use of argument on metaphysical subjects
- use of comparison (conceit)
- use of plain language

Poets
John Donne (1572 - 1631)
- epitaphs "On Court Worm"
- elegies "On My First Son"
- songs "Song: To Celia"
- Petrarchan Sonnets
"Valediction"
"Song"
"Death Be Not Proud"
"The Ecstacy"

George Herbert (1593 - 1633)
- focuses on religious themes "The Collar"
- concrete poems "Easter Wings"
- Shakespearean sonnets
- the Wayne and Garth ("we're not worthy!") of his time. "Love (III)"
"Redemtion"
"Easter Wings"
"The Collar"

[Puritans]
Style: Use of allusions Biblical and Classical. Long flowing language, high and mighty.

Philosophies: the Presbyterian/Puritan church. Independent interpretation; anti-Roman Catholic, purification of Anglican Church. (example of extremism . . . they wouldn't allow the celebration of Easter of X-mas . . .)

Writers:
John Milton (1608 - 1674)
"Lycidas" - Pastoral Elegy
Paradise Lost - Epic poem
"How Soon Hath Time" - Petrarchan Sonnet (autobiographical)
"When I Consider How My Light Is Spent" Petrarchan Sonnet
"Areopagetica" speeches & pamphlets

John Bunyan (1628 - 1688)
Pilgrim's Progress - narrative prose; allegory

[Andrew Marvell]
(1621 - 1678)

A man of his own style: synthesized Cavalier, Metaphysical, and Puritan ideas of poetry.
Support of the Parliamentarians, but somehow gets away with it upon the Restoration of the monarchy.
Defends Milton against treason, they win and Milton lives to write Paradise Lost.

"To His Coy Mistress"
"The Garden"

Sonnets: All sonnets use iambic pentameter and have 14 lines

Petrarchan Sonnet 1 Octave 1 Sestet Rhyme scheme A B B A A B B A C C C D D D C E C D C D C D E D E E

Shakespearean 3 Quatrains 2 Couplets Rhyme Scheme A B A B C D C D E F E F G G