The Age of Reason 1660-1798.pdf
The Age of Reason 1660-1798.pdf
The Age of Reason 1660-1798.pdf
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Before the <strong>Age</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Reason</strong>• Difference is most clearly seen in viewsabout nature• Natural occurrences had been seen asdirect interference <strong>of</strong> God with nature• Comets were warnings; plagues showedGod’s wrath; witches ruined crops; fairiescaused infant deaths
<strong>The</strong> Scientific Method• 1687 Isaac Newton published PrincipiaMathematica• Began with analysis <strong>of</strong> facts• Developed explanation• Formulated mathematical explanation• Tested by experiment• Underlying assumption- nature is a systemgoverned by laws, capable <strong>of</strong> beingexpressed mathematically
Effects <strong>of</strong> the New View• Resolved old fears andanxieties• Yet created problems• Raised questions aboutreligious assumptions
<strong>The</strong> Restoration• <strong>Age</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Reason</strong> began with rejection<strong>of</strong> the Puritans and religiousextremism• May 29, <strong>1660</strong>, Charles Stuart (anexile in France) took the throne asCharles II• English people exhausted by 20years <strong>of</strong> religious and politicalconflict• Restored the monarchy and the oldchurch
Musical Chairs• After 25 years, Charles II died.• James II was the next king, a RomanCatholic• English expelled James II in 1688• Parliament invited his daughter, andher Protestant husband, William <strong>of</strong>Orange, to rule• William and Mary ruled from 1689 to1702
Queen Anne• Mary’s sister,Queen Anne,ruled from1702-1714• She diedwithout an heir
King George• Parliament invitedGeorge I fromGermany to rule• Since George Icould not speakEnglish,Parliament ruled
A Writer’s Life• Difficult during this time period• Could not yet make moneythrough sale <strong>of</strong> books• Aristocratic patron supplied extraincome• Literary fashion changed too• Prose and poetry became plainspoken, and more scientific
<strong>The</strong> Augustan <strong>Age</strong>• Writers <strong>of</strong> this time sawa parallel between thestability <strong>of</strong> their time, andthe time <strong>of</strong> Rome underCaesar Augustus• Wrote epics, satires,elegies, and tragedies,just like the Romans had• Much is written frommiddle class point <strong>of</strong>view and directedagainst aristocrats
Growing Middle Class• Middle class, which included shop keepers,traders, and merchants, gained in numbers,power, and self confidence• New wealth allowed them to buy books• Over time, writers turned from relying onaristocratic patrons to the open market• Middle class readers liked reading about peoplelike themselves in novels
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