Restoration Tragedy

Definition

Restoration tragedy refers to a genre of dramatic literature that emerged in England during the Restoration period (1660-1700), characterized by its emphasis on complex characters, moral ambiguity, and heightened emotional intensity. These plays often address themes of love, betrayal, and the consequences of human actions, showcasing a mix of heroic and tragic elements that reflect the shifting cultural values of the time.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Restoration tragedy was heavily influenced by the reopening of theaters after years of Puritan rule, leading to a flourishing of dramatic art and experimentation.
2. Notable playwrights like Thomas Otway and John Dryden contributed significantly to the genre, producing works that are still studied for their complex characters and moral dilemmas.
3. The tragic plots often revolve around romantic entanglements and the consequences of passion, reflecting the era's fascination with human emotions and the darker aspects of life.
4. Many Restoration tragedies employed elements of spectacle, including elaborate sets and costumes, to engage audiences visually as well as emotionally.
5. The genre often blurred the lines between tragedy and comedy, leading to a unique form that sometimes included comedic elements or happy endings within tragic contexts.

Review Questions

• How did Restoration tragedy reflect the cultural shifts occurring in England during the late 17th century?
  • Restoration tragedy mirrored the cultural shifts in England by addressing complex human emotions and moral ambiguities that emerged after the strictures of Puritan rule. The reopening of theaters allowed playwrights to explore themes such as love, betrayal, and ambition in ways that resonated with a society grappling with its identity. This period encouraged a new openness to human experience and emotional depth, which became hallmarks of Restoration tragedies.
• Discuss how the themes found in Restoration tragedies are representative of both personal and societal conflicts during this period.
  • The themes in Restoration tragedies often highlight personal conflicts such as love versus duty or desire versus morality. These conflicts reflect larger societal issues like class struggles, power dynamics, and the consequences of political upheaval following the monarchy's restoration. Characters frequently navigate their own desires against societal expectations, providing insight into the tumultuous environment of post-Civil War England.
• Evaluate the lasting impact of Restoration tragedy on subsequent dramatic literature and its influence on modern theater.
  • Restoration tragedy has had a lasting impact on dramatic literature by introducing complex characterizations and moral ambiguity that paved the way for later movements such as Romanticism. Its focus on heightened emotional experiences continues to resonate in modern theater, where playwrights often explore similar themes of love, betrayal, and existential dilemmas. Furthermore, the blending of genres seen in Restoration tragedies laid foundational concepts for contemporary storytelling techniques that blur traditional boundaries between comedy and tragedy.

Related terms

Heroic Drama: A subgenre of tragedy popular in the late 17th century, characterized by grand themes, noble characters, and often a focus on love and honor, with elevated language and a focus on the heroic struggle.

Neoclassicism:

An artistic movement that emphasized order, harmony, and restraint, drawing inspiration from classical antiquity and influencing the structure and themes of Restoration tragedies.

Blank Verse: Unrhymed iambic pentameter commonly used in English dramatic poetry, particularly in Restoration tragedies, allowing for a more natural flow of dialogue while maintaining poetic qualities.