Lit.Guruji

                Coffee house in London Coffee house was introduced from Abyssinia to the Arabian Peninsula towards the end of 15th century. Coffee drinking became common among Arabians and spread to Europe. During 17th century coffee houses became popular in London. By the beginning of the 18th century it was the center of social life in the city. 500 coffee houses were found in England.  Every upper and middle classes frequented this house. People of different political creeds, religious beliefs and professions had their own Cofee houses.  Tories - Visited Chocolate House Whigs - Visited St.James Coffee House.  Will's coffee House was celebrated by learned men. Literary topics like poetic justice, classics, unities were diacussed. Another discussion about Paradise Lost was made. John Dryden, a literary genius visited coffee house. Smoking was common in all coffee-houses. The founder of Wills Coffee-house was Mr.Button. Addison, Dryden, Richard, Steele and Pope were c

       The Restoration England (1660-1688)           Charles II restored the throne of England. Political monarchy, parliament, and law were brought back to its original status. Anglicanism became the religion of upper class people.                      There was cold war between the parson and squire. Addison in his Spectator claims " The parson and the squire live in a perpetual state of war".        Two political parties came into existence during the Restoration Age,  Whigs - supporters of Parliament.  Tories - supporters of King.       Science was used for the development of agriculture, industry, medicine, and engineering. Royal Society of Science was founded in1662 . There was a conflict between science and religion. Superstitious belief, divine punishment and witchcraft vanished among people.           During restoration age the theatres were opened. The stage was artificially lighted with candles. No drop curtains and painted scenery. Most popular resto

                         Puritanism   Introduction : The Protestants were not satisfied with the religious settlement made by Queen Elizabeth. So, they planned to purify all Roman Catholic practices and came to be known as puritans.  According to G. M. Trevalyan " Puritanism was the religion of all those who wished to purify the rituals of the established church from the Roman Catholics. Idealist Puritans:  The puritans were ideal and they involved in private  devotion. For spiritual guidance the puritans read the Bible. He kept spiritual diary and entered the success and failures faced in day to day life.  At the beginning period puritanism advocated delight in the pleasure and joy of life. But during puritanism rule theatres were closed.  The long parliament passed an Ordinance abolishing all play houses. They suppressed sports, wrestling and dancing.  Puritans Contribution to English Literature: Milton is a Puritan. He wrote the two great epics Paradise Lost and

          The Civil war and its Significance Introduction : The civil war was the cold war existing between the king and the parliament. It was the year in which Stuart King James I ascended the throne of England. This issue was " Who should be more powerful, the King or the Parliament ". The civil war resolved in  favour of the parliament.  Feud between King James I and the Parliament:  There was a feud between King James I and the Parliament. The King was ready to solve the crisis through the policy of compromise. But his son Charles I came to the throne in 1625 and was not ready to compromise. He was stubborn. This attitude led to an open conflict between him and the parliament.  Ruthlessness of Charles I:  Charles I was annoyed by the power of the parliament. He dissolved his first parliament and levied taxes. He summoned for a second parliament. He threw all the leaders who opposed him and put them in the prison. This circumstance led the King to call for a t

                The Religion of England Introduction: The Reformation movement led into the division of two groups the Catholics and Protestants. Catholics remained loyal to the Pope. Protestants protested against the Pope. Catholic Church was suppressed in England.  The National religion of England:  The national religion of England is Anglicanism or the church of England. It was started by Henry VIII and established by Queen Elizabeth I. There is much in common between the Anglican church and the Catholic church.  Anglicanism :  I . Anglicanism doesnot accept the supremacy of the Pope.  II.  It doesnot give high honour to Virgin Mary, mother of Christ. The Archbishop is appointed by the king or queen.  High Church and Low Church:  During 17th century, with in the church of England there were two groups,                High church               Low church .  The high church gave importance to the authority. The low church didn't give importance to the authority. The

               The Elizabethan Theatre         Elizabethan age was a period of strolling players. These strolling players performed in improvised theatres - in tavern yards, palaces or gentleman's houses. There were touring dramatic companies, such as Admiral's Men and Chamberlain's Men. James I took Chamberlain's under his protection and the company was called the King's Men.         The first permanent theatre was built in 1576 by James Burbage. It was called 'The Theatre'. The theatres are,  Rose - 1587 Globe - 1599 Fortune - 1600       Most of the theatres of the time were small. They were different in shape . For example,the Swan theatre was octagonal, and the Fortune theatre was Square shaped.        During Elizabethan age the theatre was half open to the sky and the plays were acted during day time . This theatre was not elaborate like the modern theatres. It's main drawback was no proper appliances . Placards were used to announ

                         The Reformation Introduction : Reformation is a term used to refer to the great religious movement of the 16th century. It started in Germany and spread to other nations like wild fire. According to Hilaire Belloc, " Reformation was a revolt against Catholicism". Causes of Reformation:  I. Doctrines and practices of the church became outdated.  II. Growing spirit of nationalism among people or rivalry between popes and anti-popes and corruption.  Practice of granting Indulgence:  Pope, Julius II decided to pull down the old medieval church of St. Peter, and construct a grand new Basilica. The next Pope, Leo X ran short of funds. He came up with an idea of raising funds by pardoning sinners and selling indulgences to people who donated money for the construction of new Basilica. The superstitious people believed that they could escape hell and reach heaven by paying the Pope.  German monk - Martin Luther King: The Reformation movement was