Characteristics of the Romantic period
Romanticism was born in turbulent age that saw three revolutions, the American 1776, the French 1798 and the industrial 1770s to the present. Revolutionary tendencies also affected poetry as Wordsworth, Coleridge, Shelley, Blake, Keats and Byron abondend strict Neoclassical formalism profoundly changed the nature of English Literature.
Revolutionary Age
Wordsworth was 19 when French the Revolution was erupted, and for him it was "bliss" to be alive at a time when "liberty, equality and fraternity" came to the forefront. All the other major poets like Keats were avidly political championing human rights in their poetry. Lord Byron's first speech at House of Lords defended poor weavers casualties in the industrial Revolution.
Reinterpreting the past
To the 18th Century authors medievalism had suggested barbarism superstition and ignorance. The Romantics looked back at the middle Ages and an Age of faith, idealism and adventure. For example, the basic medieval event the quest romance, was used to show an intellectual quest for self knowledge in Wordsworth's Prelude (key 56), Coleridge's Rime of the Ancient Mariner (key 57), and Shelley's Prometheus Unbound (key 59).
New literary theory
Wordsworth advocated poetry written in the language really used by simple rural folk, and he dared used matter that was "common" and considered "unpoetical." Although the poet had a heightened sensitivity, he did not elevate himself above his reader, but spoke as a "man speaking to man."
Romanticism was born in turbulent age that saw three revolutions, the American 1776, the French 1798 and the industrial 1770s to the present. Revolutionary tendencies also affected poetry as Wordsworth, Coleridge, Shelley, Blake, Keats and Byron abondend strict Neoclassical formalism profoundly changed the nature of English Literature.
Revolutionary Age
Wordsworth was 19 when French the Revolution was erupted, and for him it was "bliss" to be alive at a time when "liberty, equality and fraternity" came to the forefront. All the other major poets like Keats were avidly political championing human rights in their poetry. Lord Byron's first speech at House of Lords defended poor weavers casualties in the industrial Revolution.
Reinterpreting the past
To the 18th Century authors medievalism had suggested barbarism superstition and ignorance. The Romantics looked back at the middle Ages and an Age of faith, idealism and adventure. For example, the basic medieval event the quest romance, was used to show an intellectual quest for self knowledge in Wordsworth's Prelude (key 56), Coleridge's Rime of the Ancient Mariner (key 57), and Shelley's Prometheus Unbound (key 59).
New literary theory
Wordsworth advocated poetry written in the language really used by simple rural folk, and he dared used matter that was "common" and considered "unpoetical." Although the poet had a heightened sensitivity, he did not elevate himself above his reader, but spoke as a "man speaking to man."
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