Robert Herrick(1591-1674). 3.2 Literature of the Restoration 5 Restoration literature is deeply influenced by French classical taste.It is a period ofFrench influence A.general characteristics 5 1.The tendency to vulgar realism in the drama.Restoration writers sought to paint realistic pictures ofa corrupt society. 2.A general formalism.They produced coarse,low plays without interest or moral significance. 3.The development ofa simpler and moredirect prose style. 5 4.The prevalence of the heroic couplet(two iambic pentameter lines which rime together)in poetry. B.John Dryden(1631-1700) 5 Dryden was a poet,a playwright and a critic.He established the heroic couplet as one of the principal English verse forms classified the English prose and made it precise,concise and flexible and raised English literary criticism to a new level.He was the forerunner ofthe English classical school ofliterature in the next century. 4.0 The characteristics of the best metaphysical poetry The characteristics of the best metaphysical poetry are logical elements in a technique intended to express honestly,if unconventionally,the poet's sense of life's complexities.The poetry Robert Herrick (1591-1674). 3.2 Literature of the Restoration Restoration literature is deeply influenced by French classical taste. It is a period of French influence. A. general characteristics 1. The tendency to vulgar realism in the drama. Restoration writers sought to paint realistic pictures of a corrupt society. 2. A general formalism. They produced coarse, low plays without interest or moral significance. 3. The development of a simpler and more direct prose style. 4. The prevalence of the heroic couplet (two iambic pentameter lines which rime together) in poetry. B. John Dryden (1631-1700) Dryden was a poet, a playwright and a critic. He established the heroic couplet as one of the principal English verse forms classified the English prose and made it precise, concise and flexible and raised English literary criticism to a new level. He was the forerunner of the English classical school of literature in the next century. 4.0 The characteristics of the best metaphysical poetry The characteristics of the best metaphysical poetry are logical elements in a technique intended to express honestly, if unconventionally, the poet’s sense of life’s complexities. The poetry 5’ 5’ 5’ 5’ 5’