ABSTRACT
Cultural development in the decades after 1650 was fast and exciting as drama became a powerful force in discussing life, music flourished, art developed in official schools as well as studios, and literature expanded as a form of expression. Literature became increasingly vital for readers and performances of plays and music attracted large audiences. Intellectual life quickened and involved a greater range of people in society, many of whom became amateurs in scientific studies and intellectual speculation. Cultural success became important to rulers such as Louis XIV, but he disliked the values of the creative individuals in society and he rewarded success but still sought to impose restraints. Official schools and academies continued to insist that past creative forms in art, poetry, and drama had to dominate while most artists and writers wanted to develop modern ideas in individual ways. The debate over how much freedom of expression should exist involved an exceptional range of people and produced some of the best works of the time.
