The Romantics The Romantic Period of British Literature

The Romantics The Romantic Period of British Literature 1798 -1832

u The Romantic Movement swept the Western world between 1798 and 1832. u In general, Romanticism was a revolt against science, authority, materialism, and discipline. u It was an affirmation of individuality, imagination, and national heritage.

u The Romantic Movement liberal, creative Romantic spirit that infused literature, music, art, and philosophy did not transform English political, economic, or educational institutions. u The dichotomy between artistic ideals and official practiced existed throughout the Romantic Period.

The Political Scene u Throughout the 18 th century, England had been unusually stable, prosperous, and well ordered by the standards of the day. u Under George III (1760 -1811), the American Revolution took place because of his inflexible and unsympathetic attitude toward the colonists.

The Social and Economic Scene u Due to the numerous wars England was fighting abroad, England was quickly swept into the Industrial Revolution. u Workers were treated appallingly, at the mercy of factory owners, and child labor was problematic in society.

The Social and Economic Scene u As the wars in the Americas and Europe ended, unemployment rose and domestic unrest was agitated. u After the war, publicity about industrial conditions led reformminded Britons to seek political changes.

The Social and Economic Scene u Reforms –Ended restrictions on trade unions –Created laws to protect factory workers –Granted universal suffrage (class) –Underwent Parliamentary reforms –Reform Bill of 1832 redistributed seats in Parliament to more middle class men

Romanticism in the Arts u Neoclassical literature had great respect for rules, and wrote about the human being as an integral part of organized society, rather than as an individual. u Romantic writers searched for freer artistic forms, outside of classical tradition.

Romanticism in the Arts u Romantic writers concerned themselves with the primitive, the bizarre, the irregular, and the unique. u They also looked for fresh and lively ways to convey the concrete and the familiar.

Romanticism in the Arts u Romantics viewed society as problematic and corrupt. u To the Romantics the individual was far more interesting than society, and the individual’s relationship to nature was of primary concern. u Nature was viewed as a source of beauty, truth, and wisdom.

Romanticism in the Arts u Instead of reason, the Romantics revered emotion and viewed poetry as “the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings. ” u The lyric poem, with its emphasis on subjective experiences, thoughts, feelings, and desires, was the most popular literary form among the

Romanticism in the Arts “ 1 st Generation” Romantic Poets u William Wordsworth-believed nature and meditation were linked, with insight into the human experience flowing freely from communion with nature. u Samuel Taylor Coleridge- wrote about the bizarre and unnatural, reviving the magic, mystery, superstition, and folklore of earlier literature.

Romanticism in the Arts “ 2 nd Generation” Romantic Poets u Percy Shelley, John Keats, Lord Byron u Full of raw talent, revolutionary optimism, and admiration for Greek and Italian culture, these three poets produced some of the finest lyrics in the English language.

Romanticism in the Arts Romantic Novelists u Jane Austen- in many ways a Neoclassical writer, producing ironic comedies of manners, though she also wrote with a focus on daily life and a preoccupation with character and personality. u Sir Walter Scott- a true Romantic writer, displaying interest in superstitions and legends u Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley- wrote Frankenstein(1817) develops the Gothic novel of mystery and terror

Romanticism in the Arts u. Romanticism was the dominate expressive mode in the first half of the 19 th century and a major artistic strain in the late 19 th and 20 th century.

Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata u http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=v QVea. IHWWck

Romantic Ponderings What does it mean to exist? What does it mean to be alive? How is existing different from being alive? u When do you feel most alive? Describe that experience. u What gives the greatest sense of meaning to your life? u What makes you who you are? u How has time impacted who you are? How has innocence and experience impacted you? u What is the purpose of life? u What do you want to accomplish with your life? u

Audio Versions of Poems u http: //wiredforbooks. org/poetry/rich ard_stevens. htm

Tintern Abbey

Tintern Abbey

Tintern Abbey u What Romantic ideas emerge throughout the poem? u How does the passage of time and age factor into the poem? u What images does Wordsworth include and how are those significant? u What emotions and thoughts does Wordsworth want the reader to have?