The Literature of the Seventeenth Century may be divided into two periods- The Puritan Age or the Age of Milton (1600-1660)which is further divided into the Jacobean and Caroline periods after the names of the rulers James I and Charles I, was ruled from 1603 to 1625 and 1625 to 1649 respectively; and the Restoration Period or the Age of Dryden(1660-1700). The Seventeenth Century was marked by the decline of the Renaissance spirit, and the writers either imitated the great masters of Elizabethan period or followed new paths.

This spirit may be defined as the spirit of observation and of preoccupation with details, and a systematic analysis of facts, feelings and ideas. In other words, it was the spirit of science popularized by such great men as Newton, Bacon and Descartes. In the field of literature this spirit manifested itself in the form of criticism which in England is the creation of the Seventeenth Century

The Seventeenth Century up to 1660 was dominated by Puritanism and it may be called the Puritan Age or the Age of Milton who was the noblest representative of the Puritan spirit. The Puritan movement stood for liberty of the people from the shackles of the despotic ruler as well as the introduction of morality and high ideals in politics. Thus it had two objects

The name Puritans was at first given to those who advocated certain changes in the form of worship of the reformed English church under Elizabeth. As King Charles I and his councilors, as well as some of the clergymen with Bishop Laud as their leader, were opposed to this movement, Puritanism in course of time became a national movement against the tyrannical rule of the king and stood for the liberty of the people.

In literature of the Puritan age, John Milton was the noblest representative of the Puritan spirit to which he gave a most lofty and enduring expression.
A- Puritan poetry.
The puritan poetry, also called the Jacobean and Caroline poetry during the reigns of James I Charles I respectively, can be divided into three parts
1-Poetry of the school of Spenser
2-Poetry of the Metaphysical school
3-Poetry of the Cavalier

George Herbert(1593-1633) is the most widely read of all poets belonging to the metaphysical school except Donne. This is due to the clarity of his expression and the transparency of his conceits. In his religious verse there is simplicity as well as natural earnestness. Mixed with the didactic strain there is also a current of quaint humor in his poetry.