ChapterIV 17th Century.pptVIP

Chapter Four English Literature of the 17th Century Outline English Literature of the Bourgeois Revolution The Cavalier Poets The Metaphysical Poets English Literature of the Restoration I. English literature of the Bourgeois Revolution The Development of the English Bourgeois Revolution A. The rise of the English Bourgeois Revolution: the weakening of the tie between monarchy and bourgeoisie; the clashes between the King and the parliament B. The outburst of the Revolution: between the Royalists and the Parliamentary forces I. English literature of the Bourgeois Revolution C. The split within the revolutionary camp: the middle bourgeoisie (Independents) vs. the big bourgeoisie (Presbyterians) --- fight for supremacy in the parliament; the Levellers (petty bourgeoisie); the Diggers (the movement of the poor peasants) D. The dictatorship of the bourgeoisie E. the Glorious Revolution and the Restoration 2. Puritanism: the religious cloak of the Bourgeois Revolution Puritanism is a movement for reform in the Church of England in the 16th and 17th century that had a profound influence on the social, political, ethical, and theological ideas of England and America. Out of discontent with the Elizabethan Religious Settlement which made doctrine subservient to politics, the Puritans as members of a group of Protestants sought to purify the church during the Protestant reformation. The central tenet of Puritanism was Gods supreme authority over human affairs, particularly in the church, and especially as expressed in the Bible. They shared a belief that all existing churches had been corrupted by contact with pagan civilizations, and by the impositions of kings and popes. Puritans objected to ornaments and ritual in churches and preached thrift, sobriety, hard work and unceasing labour in what ever calling one happened to be, but with no extravagant enjoyment of the fruits of labour. John Milton was thought to be the great Puritan in this