A History of Seventeenth Century English Literature 1st by Thomas Corns ISBN 1118652525 9781118652527

Here is the table of contents for A History of Seventeenth-Century English Literature:

A History of Seventeenth-Century English Literature

Introduction

• An overview of the historical and literary significance of the seventeenth century, setting the context for the major literary developments of the period.

Part I: The Literary and Historical Contexts

1. The Political and Religious Background

   • An exploration of the political and religious upheavals of the seventeenth century, including the English Civil War, the rise of Puritanism, and the changing role of monarchy and religion in literature.

2. Cultural and Intellectual Movements

   • Examination of the cultural and intellectual shifts, including the influence of the Renaissance, the rise of scientific thought, and the emergence of early modern philosophy.

3. The Rise of the English Revolution

   • Analysis of how the English Revolution, with its political and social upheaval, shaped the literature of the century.

Part II: Major Genres of the Seventeenth Century

4. Poetry in the Seventeenth Century

   • Overview of the major poetic movements and figures, including Metaphysical poetry, Cavalier poetry, and the influence of John Donne, Andrew Marvell, and others.

5. Drama and the Theatre

   • Examination of the flourishing of English drama, focusing on the works of playwrights like Ben Jonson, John Webster, and the later Shakespearean tragedies and comedies.

6. Prose and the Rise of the Essay

   • The development of prose writing, with particular attention to the essay form, the contributions of writers such as John Milton, Sir Thomas Browne, and others.

7. Religious and Political Writing

   • Focus on the literature of religious and political dissent, examining works by John Bunyan, John Milton, and others involved in the debates of the time.

Part III: Key Writers and Their Works

8. John Donne and Metaphysical Poetry

   • A critical analysis of John Donne’s poetry, his metaphysical style, and his exploration of love, faith, and mortality.

9. Ben Jonson and the Classical Tradition

   • Exploration of Jonson’s contributions to English literature, focusing on his classical influences and the significance of his plays and poems.

10. John Milton: Paradise Lost and Beyond

    • A detailed study of John Milton’s Paradise Lost, its themes, structure, and its role in shaping the intellectual and literary landscape of the seventeenth century.

11. Andrew Marvell: Poetry and Politics

    • An analysis of Marvell’s poetry, with particular attention to the intersections of his political views and poetic expression.

12. John Bunyan and Religious Allegory

    • An examination of The Pilgrim’s Progress and Bunyan’s other works, exploring his contributions to English religious literature and allegorical writing.

Part IV: Literary Movements and Trends

13. The Metaphysical Poets

    • A study of the Metaphysical poets as a literary movement, their techniques, themes, and influence on English poetry, with an emphasis on poets such as George Herbert, Henry Vaughan, and others.

14. The Cavalier Poets and the Courtly Tradition

    • Discussion of the Cavalier poets, their celebration of courtly life, love, and loyalty, and their works as expressions of royalist sentiment.

15. Puritan Literature and the Influence of the Bible

    • Examination of the impact of Puritanism on seventeenth-century English literature, particularly through religious tracts, sermons, and the writings of Puritan authors.

16. Restoration Literature and the Return of the King

    • Analysis of the literary shift following the Restoration, including the works of John Dryden, Aphra Behn, and others who reacted to the political and cultural changes of the period.

Part V: Conclusion

17. The Legacy of Seventeenth-Century Literature
    • A reflection on the lasting impact of seventeenth-century English literature on subsequent generations of writers and thinkers.