Transcript The Romantic Period in British Literature

The Romantic Era
in British Literature
1798-1832
What does it mean to call
something Romantic?
Take a few minutes and jot down your thoughts on a
sheet of notebook paper. Brainstorm a list, or write a
paragraph of your ideas about the word Romantic.
For each statement, write down
“A” if you agree or “D” if you disagree
1. The answers to life’s most puzzling questions can be found
through discussions with a simple person who lives in the
country close to nature—not with a sophisticated, welleducated person from the city.
2. The answer to life’s most puzzling questions can be found
through a connection with nature.
3. The use of one’s imagination is more important than
rational (based on reason or fact) thought.
4. Subjectivity (personally biased) is more important than
objectivity (unbiased).
5. Knowledge is gained through gut reactions and subjective
hunches rather than level-headed, objective, rational
thought.
6. Nature is more important than art.
7. Experimental trial and error is a better process than the
conventional scientific method.
8. Poetry should be spontaneous and full of emotion, not
planned and straightforward.
9. Sensitivity, feelings, and spontaneity are more important
than intellectualism.
10. “Dare to be” is a better motto than “dare to know.”
Are you Romantic?
Tally up your number of As:
3 or fewer As = not romantic
4 or 5 As = sort of romantic
6 or 7 As = highly romantic
8-10 As = extremely romantic
Has your idea of the word Romantic changed in
any way? If so, how?
Romanticism
• The words Romantic or Romance originally
referred to Medieval tales of knights written in the
original Roman language - Latin. These tales often
included love stories between a knight and his
lady - resulting in the modern meaning of
romance.
• When talking about the Romantic Era in literature,
we are actually referring to romantic as “freely
imaginative fiction” and not romantic as in
“romantic love”
Let’s take a step back to the Age
of Reason to better understand
the Romantic Era
Age of Reason vs. Romantic Era
In the Age of Reason,
Writers stressed:
• Reason and Judgement
• Concern with the
universal experience
• The value of society as a
whole
• The value of rules
In the Romantic Era, Writers
stressed:
• Imagination and Emotion
• Concern with the particular
experience
• The value of the individual
human being
• The value of freedom
Characteristics of the
Romantic Era
1. Common Man and Childhood over Urban
Sophistication
Romantics believed in the natural goodness of humans,
which is hindered by the urban life of civilization. They
believed that the savage is noble, childhood is good and the
emotions inspired by both beliefs causes the heart to soar.
2. Emotions over Reason
Romantics believed that knowledge is gained through
intuition rather than deduction. This is best summed up by
Wordsworth who stated that “all good poetry is the
spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.”
3. Nature over Artificial
Romantics stressed the awe of nature in art and language
and the experience of sublimity through a connection with
nature. Romantics rejected the ideas of the industrial
revolution .
4. The Individual over Society
Romantics often elevated the achievements of the
misunderstood, heroic individual outcast.
5. Imagination over Logic
Romantics legitimized the individual imagination as a
critical authority.
Which characteristics of the Romantic Era
does this painting evoke?
William Turner. Arundel Castle, with Rainbow, 1824
Which
characteristics
of the
Romantic Era
does this
painting
evoke?
William Blake, Jacob’s Ladder,
1799-1806 (English)
Which characteristics of the Romantic
Era does this painting evoke?
John Constable, The White Horse, 1819 (English)
To the Romantics, nature provided the pattern
on which to base their creative lives.
The Romantics watched as cities grew, industry prospered and
farming life declined. In an effort to reclaim nature, the Romantics
made it a central force in their lives and their literature. Nature was
celebrated as a source of delight, an image of love, and a model of
moral perfection.
What Romantic Era themes does this painting evoke?
John Constable, Dedham Church and Vale, 1800
Five Major Romantic Era Poets
William Wordsworth
William Blake
Byron
Percy Shelley
John Keats
Lord
William Wordsworth
• Helped to launch the Romantic Age
• His most famous work is The Prelude
chronicles the spiritual life of the poet
• Has an interest and sympathy for the life
and troubles of the “common man”
• He is considered the nature poet by focusing
ordinary people in country settings
William Blake
• Started writing poetry when he was twelve
• Blake was a nonconformist who associated
with some of the leading radical thinkers of
his day
• He rebelled against traditional poetic forms
and techniques
• He valued imagination over reason
Lord Byron
• He indulged in excesses and had huge debts
and many love affairs
• His most famous creations are his dark
heroes, called Byronic heroes, who, in fact,
were not heroes at all, but stood out from
ordinary humans as larger than life
Percy Shelley
• Shelley had a very unconventional life and
was very idealistic
• He was also a radical nonconformist
• He did not become famous until after his
death
John Keats
• During his life, his poems did not receive
favorable reviews by the critics
• The poetry of Keats is characterized by
sensual imagery, most notably in his odes