Eighteenth-century English literature (1700 to 1785): drama and the novel.
1702First daily newspaper, The Daily Courant, published
1702-1714
Reign of Queen Anne
1703
Defoe jailed for political pamphleteering
1704-1711
Defoe, editor and founder of the Weekly Review, with the patronage of Harley, leader of the moderate Tories
1706
Defoe, The Apparition of Mrs. Veal
1707
The Act of Union unites England and Scotland; the union is called Great Britain
1710-1714
Swift aligns himself with Tories; writes political articles defending Tory ministry
1713
Swift made dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin
1714
Addison and Steele, The Spectator revived
1714-1727
George I, first of the Hanoverians, becomes monarch
1717
Last witchcraft trial in England
1719
Defoe, Robinson Crusoe
1721-1742
Robert Walpole serves as Britain's first real prime minister
1722
Defoe, Journal of the Plague Year and Moll Flanders
1724
Defoe, Roxana and Jack Sheppard
1724-1726
Defoe, Tour Thro' the Whole Island of Great Britain in three volumes
1726
Swift, Gulliver's Travels
1727
Defoe, The History of Apparitions
1727-1760
Reign of George II
1729
Swift, A Modest Proposal
1730
Fielding, Tom Thumb, dramatic burlesque play
1731
Gentleman's Magazine established
1736-1737
Fielding, Pasquin and The Historical Register for the Year 1736
1737
Theatre Licensing Act; confirms monopoly of patent theaters and censorship
c.1739
Richardson writes books of specimen letters
1740
Richardson writes novel Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded
1741
Fielding, Joseph Andrews
1743
Fielding, Miscellanies
1747-1748
Richardson, Clarissa
1747-1755
Johnson working on Dictionary of the English Language
1749
Fielding, Tom Jones
1751
Gray, Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard; Vol. 1 of French Encyclopedie
1753-1754
Richardson, Sir Charles Grandison
1759
Johnson, Rasselas; Voltaire, Candide
1760-1767
Sterne, Tristram Shandy; Books One and Two were published first in New York Colony
1760-1820
Reign of George III
1764
Walpole, The Castle of Otranto
1765
Watt invents steam engine
1768
Sterne, A Sentimental Journey
1770
Goldsmith, Deserted Village
1775
Sheridan, The Rivals
1776
Sheridan buys Garrick's share of Drury Lane Theatre and assumes managership
1777
Sheridan, The School for Scandal
1779
Sheridan, The Critic
Popular literature aimed at a middle-class audience burgeoned during the eighteenth century. The middle class had always enjoyed literature that was exciting and sensational but ultimately reassuring to their own image of the world. Villains are corrupt aristocrats; heroes are men and women of feeling who submit to the restraints of society. The most successful popular writers were those who could provide novelty and excitement without violating middle-class expectations. Thus the plays became more bland while the acting and productions became more elaborate and impressive. In prose, the lengthy novels depicting a series of surprising adventures and near-disasters tended to end with the hero's discovery that he is a gentleman after all, not an outcast from society. These popular forms reassured the middle class that its values were correct and that they would lead to success and proper rewards. At the same time, the comforting message was delivered in an entertaining way, through the media of theater and fictional narrative. Examples of correct manners provided models for the audience's behavior.
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| Author: | McCoy, Kathleen; Harlan, Judith A.V. |
|---|---|
| Publication: | English Literature to 1785 |
| Article Type: | Reference Source |
| Date: | Jan 1, 1992 |
| Words: | 497 |
| Previous Article: | Oliver Goldsmith (1730-1774). |
| Next Article: | Eighteenth-century drama. |
| Topics: | |