Historical+Motive

=__So...Why did they write?__=

What influenced poetry of the 17th century?

Puritans
The Puritan religion was strongly religious and as such strict rules were put into play within their tight knit communities. Puritans did not believe in the expression of feelings and only accepted poems that were strictly about god and his message. Other poems that were common throughout the Puritan lifestyle were those speaking of morals and rules. Women were given little rights, if any, and were'nt even allowed to attend church to worship their own god.

The Great Awakening
The Great Awakening contributed to the religions thoughts of the time. It reiterated the Anglican Churchs beliefs and enforced religion by saying things such as "all were damned to hell!", to strike fear into the hearts of their followers.


 * To the left** is another influecial clergyman, Reverend George Whitefield, who like Jonathan Edwards, was a main contributor to the spread of Puritan religion in the 17th century.


 * How did these events influence the poetic works?**
 * With the prominence of religion, the church brought on many followers who were devoted to god and spreading his message.
 * Some people strayed from the traditional church methods and worshipped god their own way.
 * Others who were devoted to the puritan lifestyle hid their poetry for fear of persecution.
 * Very few women, such as Anne Bradstreet, stood up to the church "law", and expressed their opinions and thoughts.
 * One could say that Puritans used their poetry to degrade other religions, especially the Catholic Church, which they separated from.

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