Restoration Literature Texts
Primary and Secondary Resources for all your Restoration Literature Needs
Primary Resources
John Dryden celebrates the coronation of Charles II in this poem.
John Dryden writes another poem celebrating—guess what?—the coronation of Charles II. Dryden really liked the king, apparently.
In this poem, Butler pokes fun at the Puritans, who weren't very popular during the Restoration period.
A Restoration comedy about R&R… and by R&R we mean romance and revenge.
It's a book detailing Bunyan's own spiritual awakening. Which, seeing as the dude wrote Pilgrims Progress, was big.
Milton's epic poem has Satan as one of the principal characters. Need we say more?
Written as a dialogue between four speakers, Drysden's Essay considers the pros and cons of English poetry. The Lit nerd in us is screaming "But there are no cons to English poetry! None !"
Samson, the original man-bun enthusiast, loses all his strength when his wicked wife Delilah cuts off his hair.
Horner, one of the protagonists in this comedy and the original dirtbag, pretends he's impotent so that he can get it on with all the married ladeez.
This comedy (yep, comedy) is about a sailor who's jilted by the woman he loves.
There's lots of romance in this comedy. And it's all set in beautiful, beautiful Italy.
In this religious allegory, Bunyan takes us on a spiritual journey. Psst: also, it was one of the March sisters' favorite novels.
This political satire is based on the biblical story of Absalom's rebellion against King David.
In this mock epic poem, Dryden makes fun of his literary rival, the poet Thomas Shadwell. And he's mean about it.
Dryden's poem is a meditation on religion and politics.
It's a novel about a slave taken to Surinam, and it's full of heartbreak. Probably not surprising, considering it's about slavery, but still: consider yourself and your soon-to-be-overflowing eyes warned.
In this work of political philosophy, John Locke shows us how government should get 'er done.
It's a comedy about love and money. What would we do without love and money? We'd be lonely and poor, that's what.
Why can't two lovers just get married? Because a nasty old aunt is standing in the way.
Secondary Resources
We'll learn all about sex and literature in this study of the period. Sex, literature and history? Cancel our weekend plans.
A book that takes us into literary London of the Restoration period. We want to go to there.
This book delves into the history of one of the most popular genres of Restoration literature.
This book provides a great analysis of gender in Restoration comedy.