The Restoration Period (1660–1700) marks the return of King Charles II to the English throne after the Puritan rule under Oliver Cromwell. This era was a reaction against the strict moral and religious austerity of the Puritans. Literature, including poetry, reflected a shift towards secular themes, wit, realism, and political satire. The period saw a revival of classicism, urbanity, and refinement, influenced by French and classical Roman models. Poetry in this era became more formal, intellectual, and satirical, focusing on society, politics, human nature, and rationality rather than intense religious devotion or metaphysical speculation. The leading poets of this period were John Dryden, Samuel Butler, and Aphra Behn.


Characteristics of Restoration Poetry

  • Dominance of Satire - Poetry became a tool for mockery, political criticism, and social commentary. Satirical poetry exposed corruption in politics, courtly life, and society. John Dryden and Samuel Butler were masters of political and social satire.
  • Heroic Couplet as the Standard Form - Iambic pentameter couplets (heroic couplets) became the dominant poetic form. This style emphasized clarity, balance, and polished expression. Dryden perfected the closed heroic couplet, where each line or couplet expresses a complete thought.
  • Realism and Rationalism - Poets focused on real-life experiences, human nature, and practical wisdom. Emotion and imagination were less emphasized compared to logic and wit.
  • Imitation of Classical Models - Poets looked to Horace, Juvenal, and Virgil for inspiration. Order, symmetry, and decorum were key elements.
  • Urban and Courtly Themes - Poetry often depicted London life, courtly manners, and aristocratic behavior. Themes of love, wit, and social satire dominated literary circles.
  • Reaction Against Metaphysical Poetry - The intellectual complexity and metaphysical conceits of poets like John Donne and George Herbert were rejected. Restoration poets preferred directness, elegance, and polished phrasing over intricate metaphors.
  • Political and Religious Controversy - The period was politically charged, with tensions between Royalists and Whigs. Poets like Dryden used poetry to support royal authority and satirize political rivals. 
  • Celebration of Libertinism and Sensuality - Many poets reflected the court’s love of pleasure, indulgence, and hedonism. Some poetry was erotic, playful, and openly scandalous, especially in the works of Earl of Rochester.

Major Poets of the Restoration Period

1. John Dryden (1631–1700)

  • He is the dominant literary figure of the Restoration, known as the first Poet Laureate of England (1668).
  • He is master of satirical verse and heroic couplets.
  • His major works are Absalom and Achitophel (a political satire using biblical allegory to attack rebellious Whigs), Mac Flecknoe (a mock-heroic poem satirizing Thomas Shadwell), The Medal (a poem defending King Charles II), and Annus Mirabilis (a historical poem on the Great Fire of London and the Anglo-Dutch War).

2. Samuel Butler (1612–1680)

  • He is famous for Hudibras (1663–1678), a mock-epic satire ridiculing the Puritans.
  • He used octosyllabic couplets and absurd humor.
  • His poetry was filled with witty sarcasm and grotesque imagery.

3. Earl of Rochester (John Wilmot) (1647–1680)
  • He is a notorious libertine poet known for satirical, erotic, and debauched poetry.
  • His poems criticized hypocrisy, morality, and courtly corruption.
  • His major works are A Satire Against Reason and Mankind (a philosophical poem attacking human arrogance) and The Imperfect Enjoyment (a sensual and playful poem on failed desire).

4. Aphra Behn (1640–1689)

  • He is one of the first professional female poets and playwrights in England.
  • He is known for her bold, political, and romantic poetry.
  • His major works are The Disappointment (a feminist take on unfulfilled love and male impotence) and Ode to Love (a celebration of passion and romance).

Themes in Restoration Poetry

  • Political and Religious Satire - Poets mocked rival factions, the Puritans, and political instability. Dryden’s Absalom and Achitophel is a prime example.
  • Human Nature and Rationalism - Poetry explored pragmatism, human flaws, and skepticism. Butler’s Hudibras ridiculed religious fanaticism and blind faith.
  • Love, Sensuality, and Libertinism - Many poems celebrated desire, pleasure, and unrestrained passion. The Earl of Rochester embodied this hedonistic spirit.
  • Mock-Heroic and Burlesque - Poets parodied epic traditions, using exaggerated and ironic storytelling. Dryden and Butler mastered this style to mock political figures and literary rivals.
  • Refinement of Literary Style - Poets valued elegance, clarity, and wit. The use of heroic couplets helped achieve a polished and structured expression.

Forms and Styles of Restoration Poetry

  • Heroic Couplet - The two rhymed lines of iambic pentameter (used by Dryden) is called heroic couplet.
  • Mock-Heroic Poetry - It used epic conventions to mock trivial subjects (e.g., Hudibras).
  • Satirical Poetry - It criticized political and social issues with wit and irony.
  • Lyric and Love Poetry - It is often playful, sensual, or celebrating romantic ideals.
  • Odes and Panegyrics - Poems written to praise monarchs and public figures are called Ode and Panegyrics respectively.

The Restoration laid the foundation for the Augustan Age (1700–1750), where Alexander Pope and Jonathan Swift would further develop satirical and neoclassical poetry. The Restoration Period was a time of bold literary experimentation, wit, and satire. The poetry of this era reflected a shift from religious devotion to political engagement, rationalism, and social commentary. John Dryden emerged as the era’s greatest poetic voice, shaping the heroic couplet into a powerful tool of satire and rhetoric. Meanwhile, poets like Samuel Butler and the Earl of Rochester added elements of burlesque, sensuality, and irreverence to the literary landscape.