17th Century The period of the English Bourgeois Revolution

Ben Jonson as a playwright
He
wrote tragedies, comedies and masques. He was chiefly remembered for his comedies. His major comedies: Every Man in His Humor 《个性互异》 Volpone, or the fox 《福尔蓬奈》 The Alchemist 《炼金术士》 Bartholomew Fair 《巴梭罗缪市集》
为请惜时致少女
王道余 译




玫瑰出花蕾，堪折直须折： 时光飞逝不停歇； 一朵鲜花美，今日笑微微， 明日或许即凋萎。 太阳如天灯，熠熠光辉生， 当其渐行渐高升， 亦渐行渐远，其轨迹渐完， 渐近落山近傍晚。 年华最初时，年华最美丽， 血气方刚有活力； 一旦此时过，每况将愈下， 后来时光比前差。 ――请勿再忸怩，请将韶华惜， 快趁此时结连理； 青春好时光，怎可来错过， 一旦错过永蹉跎。
Social Background
After
the death of Charles I, there followed the split within the revolutionary camp. (the petty bourgeoisie,represented by the Levellers and the bourgeoisie and the poor peasants,represented by the Diggers). In the end, the bourgeoisie won the victory and Cromwell became the protector of the English Commonwealth.
That
age is best which is the first, When youth and blood are warmer; But being spent, the worse and worst Times still succeed the former.
Then be not coy, but use your time, and while ye may, go marry; For having lost just once your prime, You may for ever tarry.

Puritanism:
It was the religious doctrine of the revolutionary bourgeoisie during the English Revolution. It preached thrift, sobriety(清醒), hard work and unceasing labor in whatever calling but with no extravagant enjoyment of the fruits of labor. Two representatives of the puritan writers: Milton & Bunyan
Ben Jonson and the Cavalier Poets
1572-1637 Born in Westminster Receive excellent classical education Cavaliers, meaning knights or gentlemen, were royalists, supporters of Charles I and the court. “Sons of Ben”/ “Tribe of Ben”


Robert Herrick
To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, Old time is still a-flying, And this same flower that smiles today, To-morrow will be dying. The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun, The higher he's a-getting, The sooner will his race be run, And nearer he's to setting.
Restoration
period: 1660 Charles II and
James II Glorious Revolution: 1688 William Against this backdrop, the English literature of this period was very much concerned with the tremendous social upheavals of the time.
给西丽雅
你就只用你的眼睛来给我干 杯， 我就用我的眼睛来相酬； 或者就留下一个亲吻在杯边 上 我就不会向杯里找酒。 从灵魂深处张开起来的渴嘴 着实想喝到美妙的一口； 可是哪怕由我尝天帝的琼浆， 要我换也不甘把你的放手。

我新近给你送上了一束玫瑰花， 与其说诚心拿来孝敬你 不如说让它们有希望得到熏陶， 不会得枯槁以至于委地； 可是你只在花上呼吸了一下， 把它们送回到我的手里； 从此它们就开得叫我闻得到 （不是它们自己而是）你。




为我斟酒，你美目凝注， 我且举杯，青眼以报君 你的芳唇在杯中轻吻 呵，吾爱，我怎舍得酣饮。 尽管，我渴求一杯佳酿， 灵魂的焦渴，待以滋润 琼浆玉液，我也不交换， 就算来自朱庇特主神。 吾爱，我送你玫瑰花冠， 并非是我的爱慕太多， 而是要寄予我的祝愿， 愿你戴着，它永不凋落。 如果它濡染你的气息， 吾爱，请把花冠回馈我； 此后，它将会生长绽放， 绽放着的，是你的芳泽。

They
treated life cavalierly and sometimes treated poetic convention cavalierly too. They wrote their poems in direct and colloquial language and graceful, melodious, polished diction and meter. Their style and tone are witty and light. The theme they often used is love, war, loyalty to the king and carpe diem meaning seizing the day.
17th Century
The period of the English Bourgeois Revolution
Social Background

During the Tudor Dynasty(1485-1603),the English bourgeoisie lived in harmony with the crown. They have the common interest in facing both their internal and external foes: struggles against Spain, against the Roman Catholic Church, against the noble houses ruining the country with their civil wars. However, after that, there arose the great clashes between the monarchy and the bourgeoisie. Thus there came the civil war and Charles I was executed in 1649, which meant that Monarchy was abolished. England was declared a commonwealth, i.e. a republic.

SONG TO CELIA I sent thee late a rosy wreath, Not so much honoring thee As giving it a hope that there It could not wither'd be. But thou thereon didst only breathe, And sent'st it back to me; Since when it grows，and smells，I swear, Not of itself but thee.
Richard Lovelace, model cavaliers
Tell me not, Sweet, I am unkind, That from the nunnery Of thy chaste breasts, and quiet mind To war and arms I fly --To Lucasta, Going to the Wars Stone walls do not a prison make; Nor iron bars a cage: Minds innocent and quiet take That for an hermitage If I have freedom in my love, And in my soul am free, Angles alone, that soar above, Enjoy such liberty. --To Althea, from Prison
Drink to me only with thine eyes, And I will pledge with mine; Or leave a kiss but in the cup, And I'll not look for wine. The thirst that from the soul doth rise Doth ask a drink divine; But might I of Jove's nectar sup, I would not change for thine.
Jonson’s comedies are “comedies of humors”
A
“humor” is a predominant peculiarity of a certain person, which determines his behavior, thoughts and manner of speech. Every character in Jonson’s comedies personifies a definite “humor.”
English Revolution:1642-1649, Cromwell reigns and monarchy was abolished and England became a commonwealth. The Restoration: In 1660, after Cromwell’s death, the Parliament recalled Charles and the Restoration period began. Glorious Revolution: In 1688, James II was expelled and William, Prince of Orange, from Holland, was invited and became the King.