4 - Caroline Period

Literary period

1. 2 – Caroline PERIOD

Good day!
We are in the shortest video of this series.
What do you think is the reason for that? Have you heard about this period? Do you know
who the monarch was? Let’s see what this part includes, shall we?
So, the Caroline Age covers the reign of Charles I (Carolus). This period is characterized by
more conflicts related with the opposition to his policies, including some religious (surprise!)
and his marriage with a Roman Catholic (what a scandal!). Charles had to face the English
Civil War and, a couple of years later, he was executed for high treason. Rest in peace, Charles,
rest in peace.
In terms of literature, poetry is the most known expression of it. So, here we find two different
groups coexisting: The Metaphysical poets and the Cavalier poets.
As it is reflected, the Metaphysical poets John Donne and George Herbert were still alive, and
later a second generation was writing, including Richard Crashaw, Andrew Marvell, Thomas
Traherne and Henry Vaughan. Marvell’s poems were subtle and they often have provocative
blending of different levels of perception. In one of these, he gives a very much darker
complexion to the conventional seducer’s argument.
On the other hand, the Cavalier poets came from the classes that supported King Charles I
during the English Civil War. The best known of the Cavalier poets are Robert Herrick,
Richard Lovelace, Thomas Carew and Sir John Suckling. They were not a formal group, but all
were influenced by Ben Jonson. Most of the Cavalier poets were courtiers, with notable
exceptions. For example, Herrick was not a courtier, but his style marks him as a Cavalier poet.
Cavalier works make use of allegory and classical allusions, and are influenced by Latin
authors such as Horace, Cicero and Ovid.
So, as you saw, this part just focuses on poetry. Do you like poetry? Did you hear about them
before? What do you think?
In order to digest all this information, I suggest you to watch the video a couple of times and
write down the most important aspects for you. Try to discuss with your classmates about it. If
you have any doubt or you want more information about it, you can send me an e-mail.

2. Next video will be our final stop in this trip.
I shall see you anon.


Jessica Rivas.
[email protected]