Puritan Age

Prof.
Yasir Warraich (Emerson University Multan)
The Puritan Age (1600-1660)

The Age of Milton
Jacobean & Caroline Age
The Literature of the Seventeenth Century may be divided into two periods—The Puritan Age or the Age of
Milton (1600-1660), which is further divided into the Jacobean and Caroline periods after the names of the ruled
James I and Charles I, who rules from 1603 to 1625 and 1625 to 1649 respectively; and the Restoration Period
or the Age of Dryden (1660-1700).
Background of the Age:
The Seventeenth Century was marked by the decline of the Renaissance spirit. Up to 1660, it was
dominated by Puritanism and it may be called the Puritan Age or the Age of Milton who was the noblest
representative of the Puritan spirit. The Puritan movement in literature may be considered as the second and
greater Renaissance, marked by the rebirth of the moral nature of man. In other words, it aimed at making men
honest and free.
During the Restoration period the Puritans began to be looked down upon as narrow-minded, gloomy
dogmatists, who were against all sorts of recreations and amusements. The name Puritan was at first given to
those who advocated certain changes in the form of worship of the reformed English Church under Elizabeth. In
1642, civil war started. Charles I was defeated and beheaded in 1649 and Puritanism came out triumphant with
the establishment of the Commonwealth under Cromwell.
Literature of Puritan Age
1). Puritan Poetry (Jacobean and Caroline Poetry)

The Puritan poetry, also called the Jacobean and Caroline Poetry during the reigns of James I and Charles I
respectively, can be divided into three parts –(i) Poetry of the School of Spenser; (ii) Poetry of the Metaphysical
School; (iii) Poetry of the Cavalier Poets.
The Spenserians were the followers of Spenser. The metaphysical poets were John Donne, Herrick,
Thomas Carew, Richard Crashaw, Henry Vaughan, George Herbet and Lord Herbert of Cherbury. The leader of
this school was Donne. Whereas the metaphysical poets followed the lead of Donne, the cavalier poets followed
Ben Jonson.
John Milton (1608-1674)

Milton was the greatest poet of the Puritan age, and he stands head and shoulders above all his
contemporaries. Wordsworth wrote the famous line:
They soul was like a star, and dwelt apart.
When the Civil War broke out in 1642, Milton threw himself heart and soul into the struggle against King
Charles I. Finding himself unfit to fight as a soldier he became the Latin Secretary to Cromwell. This work he
continued to do till 1649, when Charles I was defeated and Common wealth was proclaimed under Cromwell.
Though Milton praised Spenser, Shakespeare, and Ben Jonson as poets, he was different from them all.
Milton was a great scholar of classical as well as Hebrew literature. He was also a child of the Renaissance, and
a great humanist. As an artist he may be called the last Elizabethan.
Prof. Yasir Warraich (Emerson University Multan)
Milton’s early Work
Milton’s early poetry is lyrical. The important poems of the early period are: The Hymn on the
Nativity (1629); L’Allegro, Il Penseroso (1632); Lycidas (1637); and Comus (1934). Besides these poems a few
great sonnets such as When the Assault was intended to the City, also belong to Milton’s early period.
His Major Work

After the death of Cromwell and the coming of Charles II to the throne, Milton became friendless. His own
wife and daughters turned against him. But undaunted by all these misfortunes, Milton girded up his loins and
wrote his greatest poetical works—Paradise Lost, Paradise Regained and Samson Agonistes.
1. Paradise Lost
The subject-matter of Paradise Lost consists of the casting out from Heaven of the fallen angels, their
planning of revenge in Hell, Satan’s flight, Man’s temptation and fall from grace, and the promise of
redemption.
2. Paradise Regained
Paradise Regained which deals with subject of Temptation in the Wilderness is written, unlike Paradise
Lost, in the form of discussion and not action. Not so sublime as Paradise Lost, It has a quieter atmosphere. The
central figure is Christ.
3. Samson Agonistes
In Samson Agonistes Milton deals with an ancient Hebrew legend of Samson, the mighty champion
of Israel, now blind and scorned, working as a slave among Philistines.
2.) Jacobean and Caroline Drama

After Shakespeare, the drama in England suffered a decline during the reigns of James I and Charles I.
In other words, the real spirit of the Elizabethan drama disappeared, and only the outward show and trappings
remained.
3.) Jacobean and Caroline Prose

This period was rich in prose. The great prose writers were Bacon, Burton, Milton, Sir Thomas Browne,
Jeremy Tayler and Clarendon.
Francis Bacon (1561-1628)
Bacon belongs both to the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods. He was a lawyer possessing great
intellectual gifts. Bacon is best-known for his Essays, in which he has given his views about the art of managing
men and getting on successfully in life. Besides the Essays, Bacon wrote Henry VII the first piece of scientific
history in the English language; and The Advancement of Learning which is a brilliant popular exposition of the
cause of scientific investigation.

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Prof.

Yasir Warraich (Emerson University Multan)

The Puritan Age (1600-1660)

Literature of Puritan Age

1). Puritan Poetry (Jacobean and Caroline Poetry)

John Milton (1608-1674)

Milton’s early Work

His Major Work

2.) Jacobean and Caroline Drama

3.) Jacobean and Caroline Prose

Francis Bacon (1561-1628)

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