English 3310 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Stephen Colbert, Puritans
Document Summary
Restoration and 18th century literature: satire and sincerity. There is a tension between humour and sincerity; satire, which is witty humour and critique, and honest feelings. The dates we choose to explore (1660 -1798) are historically significant dates. This is the major event in british history, in which england returns to monarchy. France is the country that executed their king, louis xvi during the french revolution. When cromwell died, this period fell apart, and charles ii became king charles ii. Thus another dramatic shift in culture would occur. Charles ii was a ruler who loved fun; many mistresses, many children, his love of theatre, and the like. There was thus a new exciting period in theatre. This included the use of female actresses instead of males portraying females. Females had already been used in france and italy, and england was one of the last to do this as well.
